Page 35 of Fighting for Lucy

But it was more than that.

He knew it in his gut. Felt it.

“You doing okay?” he asked for what had to be the hundredth time since they’d first entered the tunnels, and he’d sensed a change in her.

“Hmm? Oh … yeah … fine,” Lucy mumbled. There was a flatness to her voice that he didn't like one little bit, and he wanted to growl out his frustration only he was afraid he’d scare her if he did.

There was no way to hide the anger that lurked inside him. She’d seen it with her own eyes. Watched as he killed that man with nothing but his fists. He would have sworn it was impossible for her to feel anything but terrified of him, and yet …

She’d told him she needed him.

Neededhim.

How was that even possible?

Didn't she know how dangerous he was?

Didn't she understand the myriad of sins he had committed?

Didn't she get that he could never atone for those sins?

Why did she believe he could save her when all evidence pointed to the contrary? He hadn't saved his team and gave them only a fifty-fifty shot of getting out of Mexico alive.

Less if what he suspected was going on with Lucy was true.

Stopping, he turned to face her, placing his hands on her shoulders. When she stared stubbornly at his chest, he sighed and hooked a forefinger under her chin, tilting her face up until she had no choice but to meet his gaze.

“You're lying to me,” he said softly, keeping his voice gentle so she knew he wasn’t angry with her. While she might trust him to get her out of this mess alive, that was as far as it went. Even though he knew it would take time to gain her trust, Zander couldn’t deny that he wished she would give it to him.

“We have to keep moving,” Lucy said, her gaze skittering away but not before he saw the fear lurking in her baby blues.

“We’re almost to the end of the tunnels,” he assured her. If he hadn't had to modify his speed for her, they’d already be out in the jungle. Not that he was blaming her or upset with her about it. Lucy was giving him everything she had to give and that was all he could ask of her.

“But they have to know we’re gone by now, they’ll be looking for us,” she protested.

“I doubt Raul is aware I know about the tunnels, he’ll be looking in the jungle around the house.”

“When he can't find us there, he’ll check the tunnels.”

“Probably. But we’ll be further away by then.”

“Only if we keep moving.”

“We’ll go as soon as you tell me what's wrong. I know you don’t trust me, Lucy, but I'm here and I’ll help in any way I can.” If she needed to talk through what had happened, he’d listen, if she needed to cry she could go right ahead, if she needed to scream at him he’d stand there and take it.

“I don’t not trust you, Zander.” Her tone was serious, and she met his gaze squarely so he knew she was telling the truth.

“Then let me help.”

“You can't help,” she said softly.

“Whatever you need I’ll give you.” Lucy was the only person other than his sister who brought out this protectiveness in him. Of course, he’d joined Delta to try to make the world a safer place, but that was only one reason, and not even the top one. Earning his parents’ love and respect had been number one,proving to them—and maybe himself, too—that he could do it was another.

But Lucy reminded him of the importance of men like him doing what they did.

There were a lot of monsters in human skin out there, and while there would always be another one pop up for everyone you eliminated, at least you were doing something, saving someone in the process.

“This is one thing you can't give me, Zander. No one can.”

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