Set Me Free (A Fugitive #2)(12)

Zach took it for the compliment it was, brushing his knuckles gently along her cheekbone.

"So you want to do this then?"

"Yes." She shook her head.

He grinned.

"It's gonna be okay." Zach kept his gaze steady, trying to hide the churning in his belly. They were taking on Goliath and he didn't feel very David-like. "We're gonna need to let some people in...to help us."

Her shoulder twitched and she squeezed it. "You're Uncle Alex."

Zach nodded. "I know it's scary, but you have to trust me...and him...with the whole truth. Do you think you can do that?"

"I'll try, Zach." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it, blinking at yet more tears. "I'll really, really try."

With a soft smile, he leaned forward and kissed her lips, a sudden surge of excitement racing through him. Yeah, it was scary, but they could do this. And then the girl whose lips were pressed against his would be free...to be Lucy again.





Chapter 7





LUCY





My knee wouldn't stop bobbing. It bounced like a jackhammer under the table. I tried to hide it as Zach passed me a glass of pineapple juice, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he slipped into his chair. His sure hand was soon resting on my leg.

"You need to relax."

"I know." I sipped my juice and looked to the door.

Zach had called his uncle at 7am. We knew it was early, but we'd both been wide-awake since around four and having to wait for a decent hour had been really hard work. Alex had been pretty forgiving and actually scolded Zach for not calling him earlier. He was on his way now and I wanted to throw up.

Placing my juice on the table, I nibbled at the edge of the crispy toast Zach had prepared for me. He really was useless in the kitchen...and all I could do was slice fruit! What a pair we made.

"Sorry, I know it's crap. I really have to learn how to cook."

I snickered and reached for his hand. "So do I. Maybe AJ can teach us."

Zach groaned. "Not sure I could stomach lessons from that guy."

"Oh come on. He's great."

"Yes, he is great, but when it comes to the kitchen he's a pompous control freak. If you want to risk it, you be my guest."

His sweet smile squeezed my heart as he leaned towards me with another kiss. It was so nice to just be here, acting like a normal couple. I could almost forget all the crap I was hiding in moments like this.

And then the doorbell rang.

My leg began to bob again as Zach went to answer it. I could just see the edge of his face as he pulled it back and greeted his uncle. Even from the micro-glimpse I spied, I could tell they were close.

"You're a genius." Zach chuckled as he reached out for something. A second later he stepped back with three takeout coffee cups and a paper bag.

My mouth started watering, but didn't take long to dry up as Alex stepped through the door. He wasn't at all what I expected. Zach's father was surely in his mid-to-late forties. His younger brother looked to be in his mid-to-late twenties. I took in his broad smile as he approached me, his straight, white teeth and scruffy curls were some how enchanting, but the whole deal was sealed with those blue eyes. He was a bit of a heart stopper.

I fumbled my glass, spilling large droplets of juice on the table before catching it.

"Sorry."

Zach just grinned and went to grab a dishcloth as Alex extended his hand to me.

"You must be, Lucy."

I took his hand and nodded. It felt weird having people just know my name now. I'd kept it hidden for so long. It made me feel naked having them just say it aloud so easily.

"Zach's told me a lot about you."

My nose wrinkled before I could stop it and Alex laughed. "Don't worry, it's all good."

Trying to chuckle with him was hard work. Now that people were finding out the truth about me, I felt like all my acting skills were disappearing. It was not cool. I couldn't lose my touch now. Not when things were about to get really dangerous.

My knees buckled and I slumped into the chair.

"Here." Alex removed a cup from the holder and placed it in front of me. "I wasn't sure if you were a coffee drinker, so I got you a hot chocolate. I can swap if you want though."

"No, this is good." I dragged it towards me and took off the lid, the chocolatey smell hitting me instantly. Three marshmallows too. Score. I pushed one into the liquid with my finger, then sucked off the gooey sweetness. "Thank you."

"I also grabbed you guys a couple of bear claws." He slid the bag towards me then leaned forward with a wink as Zach wiped up the spill on the table. "I know this guy can barely microwave a frozen dinner. I figured you'd be hungry."

Zach gave him a sarcastic smile look then flicked the dishcloth at him. It landed splat on his face making them both break into laughter. My next few minutes was spent watching Zach and Alex throw that disgusting rag at each other and tussle in the kitchen.

Man, some families were weird...although it did remind me a little of my dad and his uncle.

My dad.

The bemused smile fled my lips as I turned from the scuffling and pictured my dad. I never usually let myself do it. Every time his blue eyes wafted into my mind, I shunted them aside. If I played with the image it brought forth a tidal wave of memories. Sweet moments were always dumped on by the final picture of his body lying limp on a bloody kitchen floor.