Chapter 184

#51

“Are you trying to get yourself fucking killed?!”

Eli slowly relaxes the palm clamped over Lucia’s mouth, darting his eyes toward the open space of the warehouse where the card players continue their loud banter.

Lucia twists around in the narrow gap and to Eli’s shock, she throws her arms tightly around his neck, burying her face into the collar of his jacket. The unfiltered relief radiating from her body catches him completely off guard, instantly melting his panic.

He wraps his arms securely around her waist, pulling her flush against him feeling a profound relief of his own as his chin rests in her hair. Then she suddenly pulls away from his chest and clears her throat as she fixes her clothing.

“Sorry,” she mutters with a flush. “Adrenaline response.”

Eli drops his gaze to the small figure standing silently behind her. Lucas is trembling as he clutches his sister’s shirt. Eli drops to one knee, pulling the boy into a brief, firm embrace.<