Page 80 of Born for Lace

Not Lagos the Rogue.

Forget about Lagos.

But my silly affection-nausea kicks me while I’m down. A sinking feeling in my stomach taunts me with, ‘was he with another girl?’ While my heart balloons saying, ‘no, he likes you.’ So, I’m both heavy and light, and the two pull me apart at the centre.

Love and sexaredistracting; Tomar was right. He said that if a man is withoutitor deniedit, it can become an obsession. I think this applies to women, too.

It is not fair. Our days together are numbered. Doesn’t he know, doesn’t he care? Soon, I’ll lose another friend, companion, or person I care for.

Lagos and Tomar.

All I now know.

I like Tomar and will miss him dearly, but I am… I am lost in Lagos.

And we only have a few days together, then he’ll leave, and I will never see him again… Realisation presses on my chest, and suddenly I can’t breathe?—

I. Will. Never. See him again.

With a sigh, I gaze at the front seat. Lagos is driving this time, his broad shoulders bulking out from either side of the chair. Tomar has his shoes up on the dash, arms folded across his chest, resting but not asleep.

Reaching to the seat beside me, I place my hand on Spero’s warm chest and tap lightly. “Will you both leave as soon as we get there? Or… will you stay a while? Until I’m ready.” I feel completely pathetic, childish, and vulnerable asking this, but I do it anyway. I add, “I trust you.” My heart pauses for the answer. “And you’ll miss Spero, right?”

“I will miss Spero.” Tomar peers in the rearview mirror, soft eyes meeting mine. “We aren’t allowed to stay, Dahlia. I’m sorry, that can’t happen.”

What?

Used to navigating my broken rib, I straighten in a smooth and careful way. “What do you mean?”

“Only Common know where it is. Xin De aren’t even allowed past the tunnel.”

I chew on my lower lip, trying to create an image in my mind of this place. “The tunnel?” I check.

He nods, blue eyes still on me in the mirror. “Yes. The Doctor, Robert, will collect you and Spero at the front of the second tunnel. He will take you into the Community and give you a room.”

“So…” Struck by a horrible truth, I blurt out, “You have never actually seen the community.”

He sighs. “No.”

I huff, shock and fear racing through my tone. “What if it’s a trap?”

“It isn’t.” Tomar slides his boots off the dash and turns in his seat, facing me, settling me with his kind eyes. “I’ve— Rather,we’vebeen taking people there for decades, and I’ve seen some of the escapees since. Met with them to check in, offer aid, and exchange. They are happy.”

“So…” I ponder on this… How many people have they saved? How many girls hasLagossaved? Is he rude to them all? Does he kiss them and touch them between the legs?

I shut down my incessant jealousy, reaching for the highlight of the conversation.

“So… I can leave?” I confirm.

“It is not a prison, Dahlia.” Tomar chuckles at my surprise, twisting to the front again. “You’re free to do as you please, but to be safe?—”

“Don’t leave,” Lagos barks, his thunderous tone kicking me in the chest.

“Why?” I challenge, just to retaliate. “I’m free. I belong to no man.” I know why—it’s not safe. The Trade are hunting Spero, and I’m his guardian. For life. Forever. It is what I agreed to weeks ago at The Bite. It is what I want.

He growls that inhuman sound that flares heat through my core and warns the provocative words on my tongue.

Brute.

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