I say a silent prayer of thanks that Lucian finally told me about Cassie because Monique is relying on me not knowing. I can see the smug satisfaction oozing from her. I wonder how she knows but don’t have time to dwell on it. “I know all about Cassie, Monique, and we’re nothing alike.” She doesn’t even bother to hide her surprise this time. Of course, considering how closed off Lucian was when I first met him, I feel certain he’s never shared any of his past with this woman and she had no reason to believe he had with me either.
I’m almost at the door after washing my hands when she says, “Cassie is very much on his mind again now. Did he tell you about our meeting today?” Dammit, I know she saw the stiffening of my spine. I might as well have held up a sign that said, “ignorant girlfriend,” because I’ve given myself away. “I didn’t think so, Lucy. You might want to ask him about it because it appears I’ll be around a lot more from now on.”
I suck in a deep breath and open the door with a shaky hand. I carefully blank my expression before turning to face her one last time. Sniffing the air, I wrinkle my nose and say, “I’ll be sure to tell Leo that he needs to take out the trash more often because it’s stinking up the place.” As the door closes behind me, I hear a loud yell. Someone is not happy. I take a moment to compose myself before making my way on shaky legs to Lucian. My enjoyment of the evening is officially over and he has some explaining to do. I only hope I can hold it together until we leave. Right now, I’m close to breaking down.
Chapter Fifteen
Lia
It had taken some time for us to say our goodbyes and make our way back to the apartment. Lucian keeps darting quick glances my way. He knew that something was wrong the moment I returned from the restroom at Leo’s. I have no idea where Monique went, but she wasn’t brave enough to join the party. I was almost hoping she’d be that stupid—Rose would have enjoyed that.
As is now almost an evening routine, he pulls me down next to him on the sofa and slips my shoes off. His fingers begin kneading my sore and slightly swollen feet. I moan in bliss, losing myself for a moment in the magic of his touch. “You have no idea how good that feels.” I sigh as I feel some of my tension draining away. “Why were you with Monique today?” His hands freeze and I have my answer. About that at least, she hadn’t lied. As I suspected, something is going on. Regardless of his past with Cassie, I know in my heart that he would break up with me before he would hurt me by cheating.
He looks into my eyes then his gaze drops to my stomach. I can almost see him wondering if I can handle whatever he hasn’t told me. Finally, he moves again, continuing his massage. “How did you know?” He sounds genuinely curious, possibly thinking that someone in his inner circle told me. “I knew something had happened earlier. Your mood changed in the blink of an eye.”
I know this next part will piss him off so I brace myself. “Monique was waiting for me in the bathroom when I came out of the stall.”
He gapes at me in astonishment. “You’re fucking kidding me? I swear to all that’s holy, if she laid a finger on you—” His eyes dart over me, taking a quick inventory as if looking for injuries.
I cup his clenching jaw, forcing him to look at me. “Luc, I’m fine. She didn’t touch me. I’m not some helpless wallflower,” I grumble. “Now, tell me what’s going on. If I had known, it would have taken some of the pleasure from her surprise ambush,” I chide lightly but mean every word. Monique had all the power tonight because she knew something that I didn’t, which pisses me off.
By the time he finishes with all that has happened in the last week, my mouth is flapping open and closed. “I guess you didn’t see that one coming either, did you?” he asks dryly as he studies my dazed expression. “Aidan had court papers served to him last week concerning another party challenging him for Cassie’s guardianship. Max found out who April Chester really was just minutes before the hearing was to begin.”
“Do you believe that whole story of an abusive husband?” I ask, thinking it sounds like something out of a movie.
“Her lawyer supposedly supplied the judge with all of the supporting paperwork to prove her story. It still seems crazy to me, but Aidan needs to decide how he wants to handle it.”
“But doesn’t it concern you as well?” I ask, surprised by his statement. If there is one thing I’ve learned, Aidan and Lucian may disagree, but they are very much a brotherhood.
He shifts until I’m sitting in his lap with my head tucked under his chin. “Not directly anymore, no. I transferred full authority to Aidan, and he is the person Monique will seek to replace. If that happens, I could pursue legal channels to recoup some of the expense I’ve incurred through the years.”