Heartstrings

(12) Vile

Lucas tucked Gabriel to his bed. He had bruise on his rib but a bruise is better than a broken rib. He's taken them to his beach house and will have to stay until the war subsides. It will take a few more weeks for him to fulfill his end of the bargain.

"What happens now?" Gabriel yawned, his eyes drooping. "Will you take care of me and Sophie?"

"I will."

"You won't let us die?"

"I will have to die first."

"You can't die. Sophie likes you." He shifted, curling himself into a ball. Then he buried his face to the pillow.

He watches him in puzzlement.

Gabriel said nothing more, his breath going even. He's fallen asleep.

The bathroom door swings open, Sophie appears in his t-shirt and boxers, her hair damp from the shower. He cleared his throat. "You'll have more comfortable clothes when Agatha gets here."

"What I'm wearing is the least of my concern right now," she murmurs with a small smile.

It was very much his concern. Especially if she's going to be in the same room he is.

She regarded his brother's sleeping form then lowers herself next to Lucas on the side of the bed. "They're Southern soldiers, aren't they?"

He nods. "The Societies are officially at war."

"You have the East and West. My father's soldiers will always be loyal to their Capo." She tucked a dripping strand of her hair behind her ear. There were wet patches on the front of the t-shirt twice her size, and from the angle he was seating, he could see right through. "They'll be loyal to you, Lucas."

He gave another nod.

Her fingers reaches for his arm, tracing his tattoo. "Promise me you'll always protect Gabby."

Lucas meets her gaze. "I'd do that without a promise."

"I know. I just needed to hear it," she says quietly.

Silence stretched.

"Your room is just across Gabriel's. I'll be staying right next door," he says, splintering the silence.

"Okay. I'm staying here with Gabby for the night through."

"That's fine. He needs you."

Her fingers moved to his palm, this time caressing the callouses and scars he acquired over the years. "Lucas?"

"Yes?"

"I know you have to go, but can you hold me for a while?" She almost whispered the last part.

Lucas didn't understand why she always feel the need to ask like she's going to be denied. She can make him to do anything for Christ's sake.

He pulled her close, breathing her in.

Her hair draped over his arm, her arms wrapped around him tightly like she was holding on for dear life. She rested her forehead on his shoulder. Lucas wondered if she felt utter rightness to it too. Because the way her body molded against hers, was the only right thing he could think about. "You're going to have stay here for a few weeks."

"I know. Better locked up than dead." She sighed. She pulls back an inch so she could see his face. "At least we'd be free at the end."

His thumb grazes over her cheekbone. "Yes, you are. I'll make sure of that."

She licked her lips, drawing his eyes to it. And then he wanted to kiss her right then. He swallowed, struggling for control.

Sophie scoots closer, her chest brushing up against him.

He groaned.

"What is it?" Her eyes widened.

"This is harder than I thought," he grumbles.

She tilts her head to the side. "You want to kiss me?"

"Don't, Sophie." He frowned more to himself. "I told you, if I start I might not be able to stop."

"Gabby's here. That might remind us to stop," she whispers.

Damn it.

"I want to kiss you too." She touches his arm and looked up to him with big blue eyes.

He curses, resigned.

His arm went around her waist as he slanted his lips over hers. He kissed her possessively, unable to contain himself. "Open your mouth for me, Sophie," he murmurs between kisses.

She looped her fingers behind his nape and obliged. She lets out a sound when he slid his tongue and found hers. He coaxed her to taste him back, groaning when she complied.

He was high with the feel of her under his palm.

But then, Gabby stirred in his sleep and they both pulled back, panting. Sophie glances to her brother. "See? We stopped."

A smile touches his lips. "I'm glad it worked. I could kiss you for hours." He leans and gives her a lingering kiss.

"Are you going to go now?" She twisted her fingers on the front of his shirt.

"I have to."

Her shoulders droop a little. "Okay."

"I'll see you in the morning." He touches her cheek one more time and then turned to the door. Four of his men were guarding the door including Allen. His right-hand, Sebastian was reading a children's book.

"What the fuck is that?"

Sebastian closed the book and give it a little shake. "Jacob says I'm on babysitting duties from now on."

"Oh. Okay."