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“What happened?” His eyes are intense. Curious. Weirdly bright. “Did he hurt you?”
“No one hurt me. No one forced me to go anywhere, either.”
“But he did keep you captive.”
“Jesus, Lucian. Yes. Technically, I was a captive.”
“And you liked it.”
“No. I did not like being a captive.” Except for the part with the frame. Except for every time I touched Emerson. Except for how it felt to be on the beach with him. There are lots of exceptions, damn it.
“Daphne.”
“Lucian.” I flip the cover of my sketchbook closed. “I don’t want to talk about this with you.”
“Why? Because it was a fucking nightmare?”
“Because it’s private.”
My oldest brother sighs, pacing around the coffee table next to the sofa. “I’m not going to be able to get a damn thing out of you.”
“Nope. But you can keep trying for a few minutes if it’ll make you feel better.”
“I feel fine. It’s Leo you should be worried about. He hasn’t slept in two weeks. It’s enough to turn a person into a madman.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re a madman. And I am worried about him. I know that what I did wasn’t right, sneaking away like that.”
“I’m not concerned with what’s right.” Lucian paces back and forth in front of the opposite couch. “I’m concerned with whether I should be killing this bastard for touching my sister.”
“You don’t need to kill anyone,” I say. “Not for me. I promise.”
“Would you tell me if some asshole needed killing?”
“Probably not.”
“Fine. I’ve done my part.”
At least it’s relatively simple with Lucian. He’s at the door when Elaine pokes her head in. She’s like a swan, even when she’s dressed in comfortable clothes. She smiles at me and pushes past Lucian. He watches her walk across the room, his eyes going dark and possessive. She drops onto the sofa next to me like a movie star from the golden age.
“So.” Her eyes twinkle. “How was it?”
I can’t help laughing. Elaine was the one who thought a stalker sounded fun. “He lives in a beautiful house. He cooked food for me every day. And he’s the most—” The words actually stick in my throat. “He’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.”
Elaine’s eyes light up. “The best possible situation. I’m jealous of you.”
Lucian narrows his eyes. Her grin widens. She likes teasing Lucian, I think. It strikes me as a dangerous habit, but then—Elaine is the love of his life.
“Oh, stop. Don’t tell me Lucian didn’t kidnap you.”
“I don’t know if I’d call it that, exactly. But he did steal my soul right out of my body.” I don’t know if Elaine truly believes in souls, but whenever she talks about Lucian there’s warmth in her eyes. It’s surprising every time. He’s always been cold as ice. Maybe that’s why they go together.
Lucian turns his head and raises his voice. “She’s not going to let us kill him.”
I can’t make out the words of Leo’s answer, but it sounds like cursing. Lucian raises his eyebrows at me and leaves. Elaine next.
“Hello, handsome,” she says to someone else as she goes out. “You can have her all to yourself.”
Carter appears in the doorway. “Thanks, Elaine.” His eyes meet mine with a look full of gentle concern. “Hey, Daph. Are you tired of us yet?”
