I close my eyes and shake my head at myself. I’m not used to people knocking on the door without expecting something bad to come after it. I may be out of that house, but the gut reactions will take time to leave me.
Standing up, I then walk to the door, my movements jerky as I pull it open. My head tilts back to look up at him, his dark eyes focused on me.
“Can I come in?” he asks, his voice deep, but I can tell he’s trying to speak softly and all I can do is nod and step back. He moves past me, whistling. “I don’t think you used enough bleach.”
“What?” I close the door, following him into the living room. “Does Luke like more…” I trail off as he grins at me. “It was a joke.” I shake my head. “Sorry. I’m still getting used to… never mind.”
Standing next to the window, I wait for him to say something, but when he keeps staring at me, I shuffle on the spot.
“Eli said you like computers.”
“I… I do.” I swallow.
He places his hands on his hips, the black MAC SECURITY t-shirt he wears pulling at his biceps. “You bored here?”
I shake my head. “Oh no, I’m so grateful for Luke bringing me here. I—”
“No.” He steps forward. “Are you bored in this house all day?” I keep my lips mashed together, not willing to voice my thoughts from only moments ago. “I know you’re still recovering from your injuries, but if you want something to do, I have the perfect job for you.”
“I—”
“I need some help in the office. Kay used to do it but she’s out on jobs at least four days a week and the admin is piling up.” He smiles gently. “You can do it around your school work—”
“I don’t have school work,” I tell him, immediately berating myself for interrupting him. “Sorry… I just mean, I erm… I left school without my diploma and I wanted to get my GED, but—”
“We can help you with that.” He takes another step toward me. “You can work in the office, earn your own money and do your GED studies at the same time.”
I stare at him, wondering what I’ve done to deserve something like this. “Why?” The question is out before I can stop it, and when I slap my hand over my mouth, he chuckles.
“Do you intend on leaving Luke?” His face turns serious, and my eyes widen.
“No.” I shake my head, my hair flicking me in the face. “I’ll stay as long as he’ll have me. I know he doesn’t feel the same—”
“He does.”
I frown. “Huh?”
His face is hard to read, but I see the slight widening of his eyes before he says, “Never mind,” and tilts his head to the door. “Go get changed, we can head to the warehouse now.”
“I—”
“You’re family now, Lily.”
I keep my gaze connected to his, seeing the unspoken words there. My stomach flutters nervously, but my mind tells me it’s too good to be true. There’s no way people like this exist, not unless they want something.
Is that what it is? They want something from me? I don’t have anything to give that hasn’t already been taken, but then he knows this, and when he holds his hands up in front of me, he brings me back to the here and now.
“You don’t have to, Lily. I just thought it’d keep you occupied, give you a purpose. You can’t stay locked up in this house. I know Luke wants to keep you safe, but he won’t do that by keeping you away from everyone here.”
“I… right.” I nod, before stumbling back. “Thank you. I’d love to help out.”
He gives me one of those small nods again. “You’re welcome.”
My feet stomp on the stairs as I run up them, and when I get into the bedroom, I search the room for something to wear, but all I can find is a pair of dark-blue jeans. Crap.
Facing the chest of drawers, I pull open the top one and find Luke’s socks. Going one down, I open it and see his t-shirts. I pull the first one out I can find before throwing it over my head and tying
it at the waist so it fits better before pulling the jeans up my legs.