“You looking to party?” The guy nodded at his joint before glancing nervously over his shoulder.
Lucien doubted the cops would even dare venture into this crack-infested neighborhood.
“No.” He growled and looked back at the house.
“I got some harder stuff if you want, man.” The guy shoved his hand into his baggy jeans pocket and pulled out a bag of crack. His hand shook as he held it out.
“Take a hint and fuck off.” He bowed up and took a step toward the guy.
The guy’s eyes widened and he got the message. He shoved his bag of drugs back in his pocket and took off at a run down the street.
“Fucking asshole.” Lucien kept his gaze locked on the guy until he disappeared down the alley.
“What did you expect in this neighborhood?” Catty asked.
“I could ask you the same question. You don’t strike me as the druggie type.” He turned and faced Catty. She’d managed to sneak up on him. Not good. Not good at all.
“I’m not.” She glared and crossed her arms over her amazing chest. “And you already knew. Don’t lie. I know you can’t smell drugs on me.”
“Why are you hanging around this neighborhood? Don’t you know what guys like that do to girls who look like you?” He nearly growled the words as another tweeker walked by and openly eyed Catty.
“I’m here checking on a friend.” She narrowed her pretty gaze, and he thought for a second flames would spark out of her eyes.
He stepped closer.
“Oh yeah? Who is this friend?” He fisted his hands at his sides to keep from grabbing her by the arms. Her insolence grated on him in ways he couldn’t describe. He was here for a reason, a mission. And he sure as hell didn’t have time for her frivolous games.
“Well, if you must know…” She smiled. “My friend’s name is Go Fuck Yourself.” She gave him the bird, turned on her heel, and marched down the sidewalk.
The blood pounded between his ears like an ocean wave matching the beat of his heart. Who the hell did she think she was talking to?
Shoving off the side of the house, he went after her.
Grabbing her elbow with his hand, he spun her around. “No wonder your family hasn’t come looking for you.”
Her confidence slid off her face, and for a moment he saw a hurt little girl.
His stomach lurched and twisted. It was a dick thing to say. He shouldn’t have even gone there. He’d wanted to hurt her, to see a real reaction. But even he hadn’t wanted that reaction.
He released his hold and softened his voice.
“Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it.” He ran his hand through his hair.
She shrugged and adjusted the mask of indifference she wore so well. “Even if you didn’t say it, you would still be thinking it. So it’s the same. You think because I’m a stripper I must be a whore and use drugs. To you I’m a nobody. A nobody who has no family.”
“That’s not fair. And it’s not what I…” He studied the tip of his boot and shoved his hands in his pockets. His chest ached, and he shifted his weight.
“Stop.” She held up her hand. “Just stop. It doesn’t matter.” She glanced at the house she’d been visiting and nodded. “If you want to know what I was doing here, then look for yourself.”
He looked up and the front door opened. A petite elderly woman stepped out onto the porch. She had large dark sunglasses and a cane. Lucien knew immediately the woman was blind.
“Is she a relative?” He really felt like a dick. He was no better than his brother. Instead of violence, Lucien hurt with his words.
Her face softened. “No. Just someone who was kind to me when I first moved here. I met her in the grocery store one day. Her caretaker was high and trying to steal her money at the cash register and I caught her. Since then I’ve looked after her. She doesn’t get many visitors, so I go check on her.” She shrugged.
“You help her.” He squeezed his eyes shut and scrubbed his hand down his face.
“Yeah, well, maybe I do it to even out my karma.” She smirked and walked away. “You know, to cancel out my sins.”
He forced his feet to move and caught up with her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said earlier. I don’t know you, so I can’t judge you.”
She said nothing.
She was going to make this hard on him. If he wanted information, he was going to have to eat crow.
He sucked in a deep breath and blew it out. “My karma isn’t looking positive right now. What do you suggest?” He met her gaze.
The corners of her lips twitched, threatening to break out into a smile. “Perhaps keeping your nose out of my business. That would be a great start.”