Page 47 of Royal Salvation

“Whipped, man. Whipped.”

Reaper laughed but didn’t deny it because the entire time he’d been away from her it had felt like a part of him was missing. He knew that it was because she’d stolen it and would never give it back.

Chapter 19

Lucía let her fingertips smooth through the soft fur of the dog lying beside her. Valentina was sitting on the other side, her hand doing the same thing. Not for the first time she wondered how Justice was getting on with his father. She knew it was hard for him, that his relationship with the man was complex and painful. Yet he’d do this for her, for her safety, and it spoke volumes toward the man he was. “How long have you known Justice?”

Val turned her head, her eyes shielded by the sun as she laid the phone she’d been texting on aside. “A few years. I started at Eidolon, the mother company to this one or at least the slightly more public company, but then I was seconded to work at Shadow to train the dogs for them and I stayed. Reaper was already there when I started.”

Lucía nodded pursing her lips as the questions she wanted to ask stuck in her throat.

“Ask, Lucía.”

Lucía loved how these people treated her like she was normal. The constant pressure of being in her family gave her a headache, no matter how much she loved them all. This was a nice reprieve from life in the public eye. “Has Justice ever told you about his past or girlfriends or such?”

Val shook her head. “No, he’s a pretty closed book. I know he hasn’t been celibate, but I’ve never known of anyone that lasted past a night.”

Jealousy, hot and painful, burned her chest as another reminder of how much she was coming to care for him. No, that was a weak word for what she felt. She’d done the unthinkable and let herself fall in love with him, even knowing it was as hopeless as it was.

“My son has never been one for relationships.”

Lucía started, a blush staining her cheeks at the knowledge Elodie had caught her asking questions about Justice. She’d thought she’d gone to the shops with Caleb, John, and the kids to get steaks for grilling later. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

Elodie reached out to take her hand between her own. “No, my sweet girl, you have every right.”

“I’m going to go and get the dogs some water.”

Valentina made a quick retreat and Elodie took her place beside her in the shade away from the sun. “Justice has always maintained he’s too selfish for love, but I know it’s my fault he’s never opened his heart. Do you know he refuses to say the word goodbye? He’s lost so many people he loves. Starting with his grandfather, and then my mother, and friends in the forces who never came home from combat.” Elodie shook her head, grief in her eyes. “My boy has so much to give, so much heart and yet before he ever got the chance to give it, he was shown that love is pain. I should’ve done more to shield him.”

Lucía hated the idea of this kind woman blaming herself for her son’s pain. “No, he loves you and you’re a wonderful mother.”

“I know he loves me but that’s different. Seeing you with him has shown me that Justice is open to love, and for that, I’m beyond grateful.”

“Oh, I think you’re mistaken. We’re just having fun.”

Elodie angled her head her eyes assessing. “Yes, you’re having fun, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you and you look at him. This may have started as fun but it’s more now. I pray with all my heart that you’ll both fight for it, because without love, what else is there?”

Lucía stayed quiet, not sure how to respond. She couldn’t deny her own feelings but she didn’t want to give this kind woman, who’d opened her home and her life to her, false hope.

A low, growl came from Scout, who she realised had stayed at her side. Turning, she saw his ears pricked, his hackles high on his back in warning.

Seconds later, the doorbell rang and Elodie rose. “It’s most likely the postie. I’m expecting some new bulbs I ordered off the internet.”

Relaxing, Lucía stood and followed Elodie inside as she headed for the door.

Hurricane stopped her with a wide smile. “Let me, Mrs Carson.”

Elodie rolled her eyes, not fully aware of the danger surrounding her or at least not taking it seriously and she was glad for that. The idea of her being frightened because she’d let Lucía stay was like bile in her mouth.

Moving through the kitchen and away from the door, she saw Hurricane answer the door and then everything was a blur as Monty and Scout began to bark. Valentina shouted a warning and pulled her towards the back exit into the garden.

The next thing she knew her body was being thrown into the air as an explosion rocked through the house. Screams and barking ricocheted through the room, the smell of smoke a now-familiar one.

Blinking as she coughed, Lucía pushed up to realise it hadn’t been the explosion that knocked her over but Valentina, who was now lying on top of her. Dragging her body into a sitting position, she touched her friend’s hair and heard her groan and reach for her head.

Relief, sharp and pungent, flooded Lucía as she let out a trembling breath. “Are you okay?”

Valentina nodded and began to push herself up. “We need to get you out of here.”