Page 41 of Prettiest Little Thief
Could Lucas really marry me and help me obtain a less chaotic life? He had protected me and whisked me away from Charles’s dungeons. Even went so far as to shoot Rocco for hurting me.
For what? That was something I should have asked him tonight.
His chronic bad attitude always made me believe he disliked me. Fair enough. I had destroyed his McClaren. He also kissed me and then laughed at my admission as my heart raced for him.
Cruel and calculated to get what he wanted.
Then there were the times when I swore the man he truly was surfaced. The night of the masquerade and today when he helped me bathe and took care of me.
Kind and gentle.
We both shared the unfortunate losses of our mothers. That was what really sent me into a tailspin, because he never shared much about himself.
Was that the true Lucas Knight? And if it was, could I swallow my pride and let him become my savior?
I shifted on the bed, trying to get comfortable with my aching body. The medicine had started to kick in, the urge to sleep pulling me under. And before I knew it, I had fallen into a dead slumber.
***
“What are you doing?” I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, only to hiss in pain from my forgotten injuries in my sleepy state.
“Seeing how you’re doing,” Evie said. She sat on the edge of the bed and stroked my hair.
“I’m okay. I think. Just sore.” A gasp left me as I tried to sit up straighter.
“You know, your boy toy wouldn’t let me see you last night.” She passed me the glass of water from my nightstand and dropped two pills into my open palm.
My brows creased. I popped the tablets into my mouth and swallowed them down with a big gulp. “He’s not my boy toy.”
“But you want him to be.” Evie grinned.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“He was extremely protective over you yesterday, mija. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. That tells me that there may be some feelings there.”
I snorted a very unladylike laugh. “Lucas can’t stand me. I’m a freaking trainwreck.”
Her smile grew, white teeth visible and bright against her tanned skin. “Is that why he offered to marry you and get rid of the deal with Charles?”
“He told you?” I choked out.
“No, but Raf and I overheard him in the kitchen with Fox last night. We both think he’s got it bad for you.”
“There’s no way. It’s all a way for us to both get something we want.” I shrugged. “It could be my final criminal job. I could leave the last couple of years of thievery behind me.” I reached over to put the glass back onto the nightstand, and pain flared through my ribs from overextending my torso.
“You think Lucas would go and rescue you from those scumbags just for the hell of it? Then ask you to marry him to give you protection? He could have left you there to rot, but he didn’t.”
Evie always called it like she saw it. And this time, she was right.
“I—”
The door popped open, and Lucas stalked in, followed by a beautiful, dark-skinned woman I hadn’t seen before. Her curly hair bounced with each step she took. Evie glanced over her shoulder, her gaze landing on the woman, and she tensed. Forever in protective mode.
“Monroe, this is Dr. Adler. She’s here to make sure you aren’t hurt more than we can see.” Lucas stepped aside and let the doctor pass him.
Evie seemed to relax a bit but was still watchful.
“Hi, Monroe. Do you mind if I check you over?” Dr. Adler asked, a kind smile on her red painted lips. Her hands clasped in front of her.
