“Hey.” She smiled and set her cup down.
“Hey yourself.” He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling? Did you get enough to eat?” His gaze landed on her half-eaten tray of food.
“I’m beyond full.” She sighed and then touched her fingertips to her chest. “The wound is healing pretty quick now. It should be completely healed in a few more hours.”
He nodded. “That’s good.”
“What’s wrong?” Her gaze narrowed. “Is it your brother?”
“What?” His eyes widened slightly.
“Your mom told me he dropped by last night.”
“What else did my mother tell you?”
“Not much.” She smirked. “Just that you two got into a fight. And you broke his nose.” She threaded her fingers through his. “Good for you.”
“She shouldn’t have told you about that.”
“I’m glad she did.” She held his gaze and touched his arm. “Really, Lucien, what is it? I know something is bothering you.”
“Barrett wants me to wait here while he sends some Guardians to New Orleans.” He looked away. This did not sit well with him at all. He wasn’t sure why. Barrett was giving him time off, time where he could go looking for Lorcan and finish what they’d started last night.
But now, with his Guardian brothers headed toward danger, he had an overwhelming urge to go with them, fight alongside them, even if it meant death.
“But they won’t know where to look.” The urgency in her tone made his heart tumble in his chest. She was concerned for them as well.
“That’s what I tried to tell him, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“Then we need to leave now.” She pulled back the covers and held a pillow over her naked breasts. She swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Where are my clothes?”
“Wait, you’re not going anywhere.” He placed his hand on her arm to keep her from standing.
“Lucien, I need to go back. After what happened last night, I decided I’m leaving New Orleans.” She lifted her chin. “I’m not going to wait any longer until I have enough money to start over. As soon as we get back, I’m packing my stuff and leaving.”
His heart raced and his throat thickened. He leaned forward, needing to touch her, to make sure she was real and he wasn’t dreaming. Gathering her in his arms, he nuzzled the crook of her neck.
“Good.”
She pulled away and looked him in the eyes. “I’m not sure where this thing with us is going. But I’m willing to try if you are. Even if it means facing everyone back in Arkansas.”
He grinned like an idiot. It was too good to believe. She was coming home. With him.
Picking her up, he placed her on his lap. Cupping her cheek, he gently placed a kiss on her lips. She sighed and leaned in.
“I take it you two are getting ready to leave,” his mother called from the doorway.
Catty squeaked and covered her breasts with her hands. Lucien scowled and wrapped his arms around her to hide her nakedness.
“We are.”
“Catty, you’re going to need a shirt since I cut yours off last night. I don’t have any T-shirts, but I have something that will work.” She headed off in the direction of her room.
“Oh my god. Your mom must think…”
“My mom must think I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have a female like you.” He looked down at her and smiled.
She pulled him in for a kiss. “So let’s go finish this thing so we can start living.”
Chapter Thirty
“Is everyone here?” Barrett looked around his office at all his Guardians.
“Yes, except Braxton. He’s back in Eureka Springs,” Damon said and he leaned against the wall next to Jayden.
“That’s fine. You guys are the ones I need to talk to.”
“Is this about Lucien being in New Orleans?” Jayden blurted out.
“Lucien is in New Orleans? How the hell do you know that?” Jaxon glared.
“Because Haley and Granny saw him while they were there shopping for wedding stuff.” Jayden shrugged and looked back at Barrett. “Is that what this is about?”
Barrett closed his eyes and counted to ten.
Granny.
She was going to be the end of him. She had a bigger mouth than Jaws and was more crafty than any private investigator he’d ever seen. Maybe he should offer her a position.
“I need to tell you something. I’ve got some news you all need to know about.” He looked around the room at Damon, Jayden, Jaxon, Ryker and Zane. He’d never betrayed one of his men before. They were, after all, his brothers. But now was no time to keep secrets.