Always Running (MATURE CONTENT)

CHAPTER 24

PAIN. The moment Nessa sat on the couch her body screamed out in pain. She was beyond sore. She was in actual pain from Lucas' rough lovemaking. She forced a smile on her face. She had enjoyed herself for the most part. She liked it rough every once in a while, but not as rough as Lucas had been with her.

"Did I hurt you?" His voice was concerned, but it held a hint of satisfaction in it as well.

She shook her head no. She would leave that conversation for another time.

"We need to get you home. My mother is beside herself with worry and we have a talk pending, Olivia."

Nessa's heart skipped a beat. She had never heard her birthname rolling of his tongue and she had to admit that she didn't like it. It felt wrong him calling her by that name. Olivia had died seven, almost eight years ago, and she never wanted Lucas to call her that again. "Don't ever call me that again. I'm Nessa to you and I always will be." She tried to control the anger in her voice, but it was evident to him that he had upset her.

"Okay sweetheart, I'll never say that name again, but we do need to talk. There're things you don't know, and you must listen to me. You cannot run from me again, Nessa. I can't go through this again."

It was very clear that her disappearance had affected him in ways she was now just realizing. His eyes were plagued with grief and fear she was just noticing, and dark circles surrounded his eyes.

"I want to promise you that I won't run again, but I don't know if I can. I do know that I don't ever want to leave your side, that's all I can do right now."

Lucas pulled her up to her feet and hugged her tight. He brought his head down to her neck and kissed her a few times. "I'll take what I can get."

* * *

The moment Nessa set foot in the house, Lilian ran to her and hugged her against her chest like a mother would. She cried silently while she held Nessa and she let her. It had been much too long since she had felt the love of a mother and Nessa had to admit that she was really enjoying it.

"Okay, mother." Lucas grabbed Nessa by the shoulders and pulled her away from Lilian. "We have much to discuss. You can have her back when we're done."

Lilian glared at her son and then gave Nessa a stern look. "Don't you ever do that to me...to us again. You're part of this family now and family takes care of family."

"Thank you, Lilian." Nessa gave her one last hug before Lucas led her to his office. He let Nessa walk inside first and then he closed and locked the door behind him. He walked to the chair behind his desk and sat down. He motioned for Nessa to sit on the chair on the other side of him.

"I know you found the file with all your information." Lucas inspected her face before he continued. When she said nothing, he began speaking again, "I need you to promise me that you're going to let me finish telling you everything before you decide to kick me in the balls."

Nessa smiled at him and let him go on.

"I know who Justin Chambers is and I honestly think that you never knew who he truly was. I know about his..." He paused looking for the right word. "Tastes, and I also know that Thomas was like a brother to him."

Nessa's body went rigid at the mention of that monster's name. She hadn't told Lucas of the four people she had murdered earlier that day. She knew she should, but she wanted him to finish what he had to tell her first.

"Did you know that Justin and Thomas were involved in human trafficking?" He allowed Nessa to answer him.

She nodded her head yes. She had figured it out eventually.