"You are in so much trouble." I wasn't well versed in a lot of the political goings on of Midnight Cove, but the wolf/vamp war was notorious because it spilled into everything. Hybrid beings were strictly disallowed and destroyed immediately once they were discovered. Other paranormal hybrids were sometimes allowed, but it really depended upon what they were.
"I know." He buried his head in his hands. "When I first met you, I had no desire to date anyone. Simply because I was too busy living my own life and desperately trying to figure out a way to keep her secret. When I realized you were a clairvoyant, keeping that secret became paramount."
"Because if I looked, I could figure it out." My hands trembled. "You could have trusted me."
He let out a harsh laugh. "Well it looks like now I have no choice." He ran a hand through his hair. "Thank you for listening to her. And thank you for saving her life."
"My sister did that."
"Without your assistance she might not have made it."
"She would have made it," I said. "She just would have had a much rougher go of it."
We swung for a while. "What are you going to do?"
"Helen Reaper helped me contact Sikes. There's a cabin well outside the city limits where she can stay and raise the child. I already have people there doing some repairs and setting some things up for her to make it more comfortable."
I frowned. "By herself?"
"She has no choice. The less people know, the lesser her odds are of being found out."
"Lucas, she's a new mom. She's going to need someone. A friend at least. Or even a discreet helper. Being by herself right now is the worst possible thing you could do."
He turned a stricken look to me. "I have no one. The doctor I hired for her has disappeared without a trace. I have no idea if she's safe anymore."
"I'll visit her," I said.
He gave a shake of his head. "I owe you an apology, Grace."
I laughed. "This is like triple deja vu. You seem to say that to me a lot."
"Because it's true, but I've never actually given you one that didn't suck."
I snorted. "That's also true."
He turned to face me, his right leg propped up on the seat. "I don't know what I was thinking when I met you. I know not everyone is the same. Not everyone wants power or money or fame. Some people just want love. I figured you were the kind of woman who wanted me for what I could give you without ever knowing you. I made horrible assumptions based on my past and my own need to protect the people I cared about. Instead, you gave me more chances than I ever deserved and chewed my ass out when you'd finally had enough. You deserved more from me than I ever gave you, and for that I am genuinely sorry. I never assumed that you and I would have anything more than a single date. Instead you somehow managed to get into my head and stay there in spite of all your stinging verbal barbs and demands never to see me again. So, Grace, I am truly sorry. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
I stared at him, my eyes stinging. "Well," I said after a moment. "You finally managed to say something wise."
Lucas let out a snicker. "And there she is. Glad to see your barbed tongue is back in place." He reached out and took my hand. "I'd like to start over. I'd like for you to know the real me, because I've just started to get to know him as well. I've had a hell of a few weeks."
"You tried to use a love spell on me," I said.
He winced and bowed his head. "Which obviously failed spectacularly. If it helps, Morgana ensured I paid for that dearly."
"I know. She popped over and told me some of the details. I probably wouldn't have resorted to beating the shit out of you, but I can't say you didn't deserve it."
Lucas winced. "I know. That was one of my lowest moments."
"Just for future's sake, the Comey sisters do not and never will sell love potions. I'm sure you have learned your lesson from it."
"Yeah. So did my wallet."
"If I were you, I would not seek a refund."
We both snorted with laughter at that one. I wasn't sure where the future was going to take us, but right now, this was the most I'd liked Lucas since the day I met him.
