Page 61 of Royal Salvation

Lucía looked to the door at the same time as Bishop to see a tall, beautiful woman leaning against the doorjamb. Her athletic frame was dressed in skin-tight jeans, a white round neck tee, and a black denim jacket. Her golden blonde hair was in a long ponytail that curled around her neck. Arms folded across her chest, she gave Bishop an annoyed look with her wide green eyes and her full lips pursed.

“Charlie, what the hell are you doing here?”

Lucía had guessed but it was nice to get confirmation on her identity.

Charlie strolled forward, casting a glance and small smile at Lucía as she peered at Reaper, who was sliding out from beneath the chair. “Well, you sent a text asking for my help then failed to answer my calls. I thought I should head your way and find out what messed up shit you’ve got yourself into this time.”

Turning to Lucía, she held out her hand and then noticed her hands were still zip-tied and took out a small flick knife and cut through the plastic. Blood rushed back into her wrists and Lucía rubbed them, grateful to be free.

“Charlie Pope, nice to meet you. Don’t believe a word he says about me. He’s like a bitter teen who got dumped at prom.”

“Lucía. It’s very nice to meet you too.” She angled her head. “Did you shoot him?”

“Oh yeah, that bit’s true. But you’ve met him, right?”

“Charlie, you can’t just turn up when you feel like it.”

As Bishop and Charlie took their argument outside, Justice came around to untie her legs, his hands gentle as they touched her.

“You’re safe now, angel.”

Suddenly feeling awkward now that the danger was over, she didn’t know what to do. Lucky for her Justice did, and he took her in his arms and held her tight as if he’d never let go.

“Thank you.” The words weren’t enough. They’d never be enough, but they were all she had.

All too soon he was pulling back to look at her. “Did they hurt you?” His tone was deep and pained and she could only imagine what was going through his mind.

“No, Chess wouldn’t let Playboy touch me and he killed him before he could.”

Justice glanced toward the couch. “He was sick. Death was the only way for a man like him.”

Lucía nodded and took the hand he offered as he helped her to stand. Her legs wobbled and before she knew it, she was in his arms as he carried her into the dusky darkness that had descended, heading for the ambulance. He set her down and stepped back so the paramedics could take a look, but he stayed close in case she needed him. The place was now swarming with Shadow team members, and she realised this wasn’t a regular ambulance and wondered who it belonged to. “Who do you work for?”

The paramedic gave her a look and ignored her question as he asked her a bunch of questions about the attack and any injuries she might have sustained before finishing his checks.

Justice walked toward her and crouched next to her, his hand on her knee as he slid his fingers through hers. “Your father is on his way. Hurricane and Bás are going to stay with you until he gets here. You’re safe now, Lucía.”

“But why can’t you stay with me?” Her breathing felt panicked now at the thought of him leaving her.

Justice closed his eyes and dropped his head to her thigh, his breathing fast as if he was trying hard to hold onto his control. When he looked up again, she saw the desperation and emotion in his eyes, and it almost broke her. “I wish I could, but he wants me off the case. He blames me and he’s right. I left you open to attack and failed to protect you.”

“No, you couldn’t have known.”

“Yes, Lucía, I should have. It’s my job to know, to predict, and I should have realised it was Chess and that taking you home would be an obvious choice to them. I was selfish because I wanted to be with you and show you my home and my family, and it almost cost you your life. So, yes, it’s my fault.”

Lucía could feel the tears sliding down her cheeks and knew she’d never convince him he was wrong and to what end, they still had no future. He lived for his job. It was his life, and he was good at it. She knew he saved hundreds of lives with what he did. She could never jeopardise that by thrusting him into the limelight that was her life. But she couldn’t leave her family either, and her father would never forgive her if she walked away.

Running her hand through his soft hair, she tried to bank every second of her time with him knowing she’d never love another man as she did him. Leaning in she kissed his cheek. “I’ll always love you, Justice, and I won’t ever forget you.”

His groan was torn from him as he cupped her face and kissed her hard, pouring all his feelings into it. A flame of desire licked up her spine but was overshadowed by love and despair at the thought of never having this again. Justice consumed her—his scent, his taste, all of her belonged to him. Then he was pulling away on a gritty moan and striding away from her as she cried for what could’ve been and what would never be again.

A hand on her shoulder had her turning to see Charlie standing beside her, a look of sympathy on her face. “Men, can’t live with them, can’t kill them.”

Lucía laughed through her tears. “And you should know, you tried.”

Charlie went still and then she was laughing. Seconds later Lucía’s laughter turned to tears as she sobbed uncontrollably. Comforting arms wrapped around her, and she heard the murmured words of comfort this woman was bestowing on her. She clung to the hope that one day she’d get over the loss of the man who’d stolen her heart.

Chapter 26