Falling In

  Once her mother had her supply in order and tucked away on her person, she found a bowl in the pushcart. It was dirty, but would have to do. She reached into her bag for a washcloth and poured some rainwater Pearl had collected into the bowl.

  She scooted as close as Pearl would let her and drew her attention. “You makin’ som’in?”

  “I’m going to help you wash your hands.”

  “My baby does that when she visits.”

  “Does she?” Scout’s throat tightened.

  She carefully bathed her mother’s fingers, hands, and arms. Pearl chatted about a man she met by the water that Scout assumed was a figment of her imagination, and she also told Scout about how she was mad her daughter didn’t visit anymore. She assured her mother that her daughter loved her and fought back her emotions. Life was quite unfair at times.

  By the time she finished with Pearl’s arms she was on her fourth bowl of water, and the little bar of soap was merely a sliver of black. Scout didn’t want to use all Pearl’s water, so she rinsed the cloth and washed her mother’s face. Enough.

  When she left, Pearl waved her away as if she were a stranger or a pesky stray dog. She didn’t thank Scout and Scout didn’t expect her to. Her mother had begun to nod out toward the end of her visit, and she promised herself she’d stay away, for her own good, for at least four days this time.

  Looking into her mother’s lifeless eyes and seeing not a speck of recognition was agony. She didn’t know how many more visits like that she could take.

  It was still light out when Scout arrived at St. Christopher’s. There were cars in the parking lot of the old school, which was unusual, but not unheard of. The shelter had a board of trustees that kept it operating and dissuaded the township when they tried to close the shelter’s doors permanently.

  It was an ongoing battle for those who ran St. Christopher’s to keep its doors open. Last winter had been a nightmare, never knowing if one day they’d return only to find the doors locked and the fancy billboard of a strip mall coming soon.

  Seeing the cars there made her anxious. Winter was here. If they were going to shut the shelter down, they could at least wait until spring. She waited on the abandoned brick flowerbed beside the steps of the school. The cars parked along the dilapidated chain-link fence were all new and shiny. She was certain there was a meeting going on with the board.

  Shivers transcended to a full-body seizure by the time the doors finally opened and the meeting let out. Scout cursed herself for not changing into her jeans before leaving the hotel, but her humiliation urged her to escape quickly and she hadn’t been thinking. Already, the effects of living in the lap of luxury were affecting her common sense and making her forget the need for practicality. Curled into her sweatshirt, she tried to find a hidden pocket of body warmth. It crossed her mind that Lucian would be aware by now she wasn’t coming back.

  A few women bustled out of the building, followed by a man in an expensive trench coat with shiny leather shoes. He looked vaguely familiar. As he slowed, he removed his phone from his pocket and stood for a moment to press a few buttons. That’s when she recognized those piercing eyes. Slade.

  Shit. She ducked her head so he wouldn’t recognize her. Out of her peripheral she saw him walk away.

  “Holy shit! Scout! You’re back.”

  Goddamn it Parker!

  Scout looked up and behind a smiling Parker stood Slade, staring at her through narrow blue eyes.

  “Hey, Parker,” she mumbled, standing up and walking quickly through the doors of the school.

  “Where you going? Aren’t we gonna eat? Scout, wait up . . .” He followed her into the shadowed hall of the school. “What’s going on . . . ?” His question faded as he followed her gaze. “You know that guy?”

  “Not really.”

  Slade stared into the shadows after them and then turned and climbed into his car. When he pulled away she breathed a huge sigh of relief. Turning to Parker, she smiled.

  “So . . . looks like I’ll be staying here again,” she said with false cheer. “Let’s eat.”

  Chapter 17

  Intruder

  Scout awoke with a start and her back protested against the hard tile floor. Something was going on. It took a moment for her sight to adjust to the dark shadowy room. Eyes wide, she studied the door of the gymnasium. Bodies lay out like guests of a morgue after a natural disaster, creating an obstacle course around her.

  Unseen voices carried over the sound of bodies breathing. She listened. She couldn’t make out the words being said, but she sensed the hostility of the situation.

  “Shit.”

  Scout quickly untied the shoelace around her wrist. Her fingers fumbled over the knot. The voices grew louder, coming closer.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” she hissed.

  The knot came loose and she turned onto her knees. Rushing with fumbling fingers, she untied the laces attached to her bag’s zipper. Footsteps echoed in the hall.

  She recognized George’s voice. “Sir, you can’t go in there. If you don’t leave, I’ll call the police.”

  More voices added to the commotion, but others had begun to rouse. Moving blankets and whispered questions made it impossible to hear one thing clearly over another.

  When the knot around her zipper came loose, she hurried to slip on her unlaced shoes. Preparing to sling her bag over her arm and haul ass out of there, grabbing Parker on her way, she turned.

  “Evelyn!”

  “Sir, you can’t—”

  “Scout!” Parker yelled as Lucian turned and grabbed George by the collar. She worried for George’s heart condition, but Lucian released him the moment Parker tore into the gym. “Scout, run!”

  What happened next had everybody screaming. Lucian grabbed Parker and Parker turned and punched Lucian right in the nose. Women screamed, men shouted, babies cried and suddenly Dugan and Slade were there as well.

  Scout lowered her shoulders and pulled up her hood, trying to remain unseen. Parker was pushed aside roughly and Lucian marched over mats as women from the shelter scurried out of his way. The gym was dark aside from the light spilling from the hall.

  Lucian approached a woman with long dark hair. She gasped as he drew her close and he discarded her quickly.

  Parker pushed away from Slade and shouted, “Scout, get out of here!”

  She made to stand. Lucian towered over the fright-filled room and looked around. “Evelyn, don’t move.”

  She froze. The sound of heavy dress shoes clicking over the linoleum came close until she found herself, once again, staring into their shiny surface.

  “We’re leaving.”

  Scout looked up at Lucian. He looked terrible. His hair was a mess and tension gave his dark eyes a haggard look. Parker skidded up behind him and jumped between them.

  “Get away from her,” Parker growled and Lucian cocked his head.

  “Aren’t you cute? Move.”

  Parker’s eyes narrowed into a menacingly evil expression she had never seen before. “Fuck you.”

  “Evelyn, you have one minute to get your ass out of this building and into my limo. One second longer and I’ll haul you out myself.”

  She didn’t understand why he’d come looking for her. She gave him an excuse to let her go. He clearly didn’t want an inexperienced virgin, or recently devirginized woman, in his bed. And now he knew exactly where she had come from. Her many kept secrets were getting exposed faster than she was comfortable with. Scout didn’t like being so transparent.

  Rather than cause anymore of a scene, she figured it best to go with him. She’d let him say his piece. This was more about her leaving without permission than the fact she’d gone. He could have the last word and then she’d return to St. Christopher’s tomorrow, all back to the way things had always been. But she couldn’t afford to piss him off. She
didn’t need to look for a new job on top of all this.

  Scout gently laid her hand on Parker’s sleeve.

  His pleading green eyes met hers. “Don’t go anywhere with this asshole, Scout. You don’t have to do a damn thing. He’s not taking you anywhere.”

  “Parker,” she said softly. “It’s okay. He’s my boss.”

  “That doesn’t make him the boss of you.”

  “Wanna bet? Thirty seconds,” Lucian said.

  “Parker, listen to me.” She forced him to turn and face her. Her friend was tense and ready to spring. “This is Lucian Patras. He owns the hotel. He’s . . .” she sighed. “My friend.”

  “Ten seconds.”

  Parker looked at her with such desperation in his eyes. He whispered, “Don’t go with him, Scout.”

  What a disaster. “I can’t stay here, Park.”

  “Time’s up, Evelyn.”

  She reached for her bag and Parker stayed her hand. Lucian caught his arm and growled, “You don’t touch her.”

  “Lucian! Knock it off,” she hissed and brushed his hand off of Parker’s arm. “Listen to me, Park. Everything’s fine. I’ll be fine. I shouldn’t have come back here. I need to go. I’ll come find you in a few days.” It should take that long to say her good-bye to Lucian Patras. “Do me a favor and if you get a chance—”

  “I know, check on Pearl. I will.”

  He looked back at Lucian then turned to her and whispered, “Be careful, Scout. They aren’t like us. Don’t let them make you believe they are and get yourself hurt.”

  She smiled sadly at her friend. He would never leave this place because he’d been on the other side before and, in his mind, had failed. He’d never escape this world until he started believing he was good enough.

  “I’ll be all right.”

  She walked past him, lugging her bag, and Lucian grabbed for her arm. She yanked herself away from him and stomped out to the limo. Just because she was agreeing to go with him did not mean she was excusing him from embarrassing her in front of everyone at the shelter and getting Parker upset.

  Chapter 18

  Friends

  Lucian scowled at Scout the entire way back to the hotel. He blanketed her with his body as he ushered her through the lobby. They rode the elevators in silence. When they reached his suites he went right to the master bath and began to fill the tub.

  “Strip.”

  “Lucian—”

  “I said strip.” His words were bit out, but she could sense his fear through his resounding fury. Living on the streets, she’d learned to see through people’s acts. Hostility often veiled insecurity or fear. Lucian was being hostile because he was afraid. She just wasn’t sure if his panic stemmed from possibly losing her or losing what she represented to him or just losing in general. Either way, she was there now.

  She could tell he didn’t want to say more, but his words came rushing out anyway. “What the hell were you doing there, Evelyn? Do you have any idea how dangerous places like that are? People die in that section of the city all the time. I told you that you were not to go back there—”

  “I live there, Lucian.” The rush of water spilling from the faucet was the only sound. “I’m sorry, Lucian. I didn’t want you to know. I’ll leave.”

  “Will you stop running away from me!” His fingers forked through his messy hair. “Just give me a minute to think.” He sat on the edge of the large Jacuzzi tub. “You live there?”

  Pursing her lips she nodded slowly.

  “Your paperwork said you lived in the apartments on Locus Street.”

  “I needed a mailing address.”

  Scout shifted her feet. She didn’t want to sit or it would only make it harder to leave. “Look, none of this is your fault. As a matter of fact, you’ve been nothing but kind to me . . . sort of. I know you didn’t know what you were getting into when you made your offer. I should’ve told you about my situation. I’m sorry. I’m sorry about all of it, the shelter, causing you to worry, my virginity . . .”

  His dark eyes drilled into her as the last word left her mouth. He shook his head slowly and whispered, “You’re so innocent, Evelyn.”

  Scout laughed. “Innocent is the last thing I am, Lucian. I’ve seen things that would make your skin crawl. Just because I’ve kept my nose clean doesn’t mean—”

  “You are innocent. I cannot allow you to go back to that place.”

  She leaned past him and shut off the water. “It isn’t your decision.”

  “Why do you fight me at every turn?” He took her hands and held them tight. “I’ve never met someone more determined to do things the hard way.”

  “I could say the same about you. Look, I’m not trying to be difficult. That isn’t my intention. It just keeps happening that way. We’re just too different, Lucian. You’re beyond wealthy and I’m homeless. You’re an extremely sexual person and I was a virgin twenty-four hours ago. You own a hotel. I clean in one. You’re gorgeous and I’m—”

  “Don’t.” he interrupted, his gaze suddenly hard. “Just . . . don’t. What if I told you, knowing all that, I still wanted you?”

  Scout put down her bag. This was not going to be a quick thing. “Why, though? You could have anyone you want. I see the way women look at you. It could be so easy. You’re deliberately picking the most complicated person you can find.”

  “I enjoy the challenge,” he said, a trace of hollow humor softening his solemn expression.

  “Lucian—”

  “Stay. Not because I’ll make it worth your while, but because you want to. Stay with me, Evelyn, because you enjoy my company. Stay until you don’t enjoy it anymore.”

  “And what about when you stop enjoying my company? People get on each other’s nerves after a while. What we have . . . it isn’t permanent and we both know it.”

  “Why can’t we enjoy it while it lasts? I like you, Evelyn. I’m not ready to see you go.”

  He didn’t deny that he’d eventually lose interest in her, and that was probably for the best. It was dangerous to start reading more into what wasn’t actually real. She was a phase for him and if she stayed, she needed to be okay with that.

  Weary didn’t begin to describe how she felt. She was just so tired, tired of fighting, tired of the endless struggle to survive, tired of denying her feelings for this man. She wasn’t sure what she felt, but it was more than a contractual association. Things were getting personal.

  Scout sighed. Here was a man who could afford to hang with friends in the richest social circles of the world and it appeared he was the loneliest person she had ever met. “Okay. I’ll stay.”

  He pulled her to him and hugged her. His arms held her tight and she breathed in his scent, which she now associated with everything Lucian—stability, determination, success, and a touch of sadness. Part of her wanted to give him this thing he asked for, because for a man who had everything, she was beginning to believe no one had given him anything in a very long time.

  Scout’s clothes were stripped away and she found herself being lowered into the tub. Lucian stripped and climbed in behind her. He held her in the cradle of his thighs and slowly washed away the day’s dust with a soft sponge.

  It felt right, sitting there in his arms, letting him touch her. He touched her as if he had a right to. Entitled. That was exactly what it was and she liked it. When Lucian touched her that way it made all her worries take a backseat for a while. She knew she could come to him with any problem and in no time he’d have a solution for her. Trust was extremely difficult for her, but Lucian seemed so dependable, Scout didn’t think it would be hard to trust someone like him. She just needed the courage to surrender. And what’s more, she wanted to know him.

  He ran the sponge over her shoulders and water sluiced between her breasts. “Lucian?”

  “Hmm?”

  ??
?Why am I different for you?”

  He paused from washing her. Softly he said, “You see the world differently. You were more impressed by lilies than ten thousand dollars’ worth of designer clothes. I know you respect money and the power it holds, but you see it only as a means to an end. Other people see me as that means.”

  There was such a fine line between being bought and what they were doing. “But you said everything has a price.”

  “Evelyn, if you could truly be bought I would’ve had you a hundred times by now. You would’ve been at my beck and call. You would’ve dropped your job at the first chance. You certainly wouldn’t let your hurt pride run you out of my penthouse and back to a shelter. You would’ve grinned and bore it because you had been bought off, but you didn’t. There’re certain things about you that simply aren’t for sale.”

  Scout picked up the sponge and washed his arms and hands. Beautiful strong hands, so different than the hands she had washed that afternoon. “I don’t have many friends,” she said, not sure where the words came from.

  He kissed the moist skin below her ear. “Me neither.”

  “What an odd pair we are . . .”

  “Not odd,” he said introspectively. “Just finding our way. It’ll be easier now that we have each other’s company.”

  Chapter 19

  Hunger

  The satin sheets made a hushing whisper as Lucian rolled onto his back. “Where’re you going?”

  Scout stood from wedging her foot into her shoe. “Work.”

  He grimaced and leaned up on his elbow. The deep amber sheet slid from his chest. Rather than tell her all his reasons why she shouldn’t work as a housekeeper at Patras, he said, “Don’t go.”

  Her heart expanded and she walked over to the bed and kissed his cheek. “I have to. People are depending on me.”

  “Do you like cleaning?”

  “Not particularly, but it’s a good job.”