Page 77 of Prettiest Little Thief
“And it hasn’t been? Beneficial, I mean.”
Lucas shook his head. “Maybe it would’ve been if my dad was still alive, but now there’s no reason for our family to have anything to do with Christian. Besides, I was able to pull Sarah aside at a family dinner a couple of years ago, and she begged me to help her. To get her out of the marriage. She had bruises from him. Christian barged in while we were talking, we fought, and I haven’t seen her since.” Lucas glanced in my direction, eyes locking with mine briefly. “He has her on a tight leash.”
“That’s insane. I can’t imagine someone trying to control me like that.” I shook my head in disgust.
“You’ll never have to worry about that, Monroe. I may be an asshole, but I’m nothing like Christian.”
“I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you even for my own advantage if I thought you were.” I reached over with my freehand and cupped Lucas’s cheek, running my thumb over the slight stubble that had grown on his jaw. He turned his head and kissed my palm.
***
It took several hours to drive to Christian and Sarah’s house. When we pulled into the driveway, everything was surprisingly… normal.
The house was nice but on a smaller scale to Lucas’s and right on the beach. Lazy palm trees swayed in the breeze in the front yard, the smell of salt and sand bombarded my senses as I climbed out of the car, grabbing the keepsake.
Lucas was at my side, protectively wrapping a muscled arm around me. The two of us strode to the front door, with Jericho and Evan on our heels.
I swallowed. “What if he has more people and we’re outnumbered?”
Lucas squeezed me closer under his arm. “I have my gun tucked in the back of my waistband.”
“Do you think it will come to that?”
“You never know. I just wanted to be cautious. If all goes well, we can trade the chest with the key and leave without any problems. Sarah in tow.” Lucas gazed down at me.
I opened my mouth to reply, but the front door swung open. A tall gentleman with a dark stare and brown hair stood at the entrance. His jaw ticked as he took in Lucas and me.
“Joey,” Lucas growled as we reached the front door.
“Don’t call me that, Knight,” Joey snarled in return. “Call me Joseph, or we will have more problems.” Lucas gave him a shit-eating grin as he released his hold on me. Joey’s gaze slid tome, and then to the two men behind us, arching a dark brow. “Who are they? I thought Christian made it clear to not bring anyone with you.”
“Christian doesn’t make the fucking rules. If he has a problem with that, then we will take the chest to someone worthwhile. Besides, I’m not bringing my wife around the likes of you without additional protection.”
My husband had some serious balls.
“We both know you won’t leave without Sarah.” A wicked grin pulled at Joey’s mouth.
Lucas just shrugged, not seeming the least bit bothered. However, I knew he would be devastated if that happened. He loved his sister and wanted her safe.
Joey moved out of the doorway and led us into a sitting area with chalky couches and minimal décor. Bland and boring.
“Wait here.” Joseph stepped out of the room, leaving us alone.
Jericho and Evan positioned themselves against one of the walls. Present but out of the way until needed.
“That guy is a dick,” Evan muttered, adjusting his jacket.
Lucas helped himself to a drink at a small bar that was against a far wall. He tipped his glass in my direction. “Do you want one?”
I shook my head. As much as I would love to have a drink to settle my nerves, I needed to have a clear mind. Drinking would muddle my thinking.
With the chest in hand, I took a seat on one of the couches, resting the keepsake on my lap. After a few more moments, the sound of shoes clicking against the hardwood floors echoed into the room. A slender woman with sandy blonde hair and the same piercing blue eyes as Lucas strode into the room. She quickenedher steps as she glanced around, briefly locking eyes with Jericho. Jericho tensed, his tongue running along the scar on his bottom lip. Sarah visibly swallowed and quickly averted her gaze, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. But Jericho didn’t flinch or remove his amber stare from Sarah.
Interesting.
When she caught sight of my husband, she rushed over and hugged him. He set his drink down on a nearby table and returned the embrace.
A bit of tension in his shoulders fled, and his hardened expression softened.
