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His eyes narrow on me, not believing me. “Were you meeting someone—”
“Of course not, don’t make up crazy stories.” To divert his attention, I drop to my knee and lie, “I had to tie my shoelace.” I quickly tie my laces and return to standing. “What are you doing here anyway?”
He tilts his chin toward a small falafel hole-in-the-wall. The Middle Eastern guy manning the stand is watching the scene between Marku and Crina. His gaze touches on Lucian and just as quickly flickers away in fear.
“Taking care of business. I told you I work once school ends.”
I jut a thumb at Marku. “Why’s he so upset? It’s not like we’re Popescus. You have no claim on us.”
His nostrils flare.
His expression shutters, but just before it does, I catch a flicker of something. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it might be fear, but that can’t be right. The man cares for nothing but himself and his clan.
Tilting his head toward Marku, he says, “That’s not how he sees it. Anyway, Popescu or not, you’re a female and you’re alone.”
“Oh, come off it, already. I’m not alone. I’m with Crina. It’s broad daylight and being a woman’s got nothing to do with anything.” I wave my hand around. “Look around. Women everywhere. No one’s getting attacked. Not one’s getting harassed. No one even notices us.”
His voice drops low, controlled. “There’s Bratva everywhere.”
“Oh, yeah, the big bad Bratva crawling out of the woodwork.” I point to the gutter. “Oh, there goes one, rising out like a Mutant Ninja Turtle. Ooo, scary.” I point to the sky. “Oh, here comes another, parachuting down from space. Watch out, it’s an alien. Coming to get me! Ahh!”
“Hardy-har-har,” he mutters.
I push him in the chest. His hard muscle flexes under my touch and I immediately regret touching him.
Disgusted with myself for having any kind of reaction to him, I gripe, “Go back to your business, Lucian. We’ll go home when we’re ready.”
He stiffens. “That won’t work.”
I get up in his face, stare into his granite-colored irises, and declare, “Too bad. You’re not the boss of me.”
“Fuck, you’re just begging to be put over my knee. I’m itching to swat your sweet ass like the brat you are.”
I pull back, gasping.
A tingly sensation spreads over my body, but I steel myself against it. God, I’m so weak when it comes to this man, and it makes me boil with anger again. He’sstillkryptonite, and my embarrassment at my reaction only fuels my hatred.
He swipes a hand over his face. Scrubs the hair on his head like he’s irritated. “That shouldn’t have come out of my mouth.”
“Damn straight,” I mutter begrudgingly, his admission soothing my pricked pride. I still cringe at my bodily response to his comment, but thank heaven for small mercies, he didn’t notice. I shouldn’t be surprised. When has he noticed me?
“Boss or no boss,” he continues, “now that I’ve seen you, I can’t let you go. I need to see you and Crina home. It’s the decent thing to do.”
My lip curls. The gall of this guy. “Oh, come on. Since when is the worddecentin your vocabulary? You didn’t feel a sudden pang of this so-called decency in the cafeteria but suddenlynowyou’re worried about my safety? Just stop it.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Crina stalk away and Marku yank her back before she steps out into the street. Meanwhile, Lucian’s spine snaps straight like I’ve insulted him or something.
“It’s not the same,” he counters.
I jut out a hip and plant my hand on it. “Like hell it isn’t, you hypocrite.”
He grabs my arm and says, “That’s it. You’re going home.”
“Hey, get off me!”
I struggle to get him to unhand me, but his grip only tightens as he calls out to Marku, “You take the car, you’re gonna need it. I’m taking the subway with her.”
I open my mouth, about to scream bloody murder when he turns to me and warns, “I’m not letting you go. Make a scene if you want, but I swear to God, you’ll regret it if someone calls the police.”
