“There have been some abductions in the area. But we’ll find out who’s behind them.” As always there’s a confident conviction in his voice. “Why did you call so early in the morning? Everything okay in the corporate world?”
I chew on my lip, my free hand going behind my neck as I reply, “All’s okay in the cor-rporate world, but my pers-sonal life might get a major makeover.”
He chuckles. “Why?”
“I might get mar-rried.”
“Might?” I’m sure he’s smirking.
“It’s Vienna, th-the barista. We’re picking up the mar-rriage license today and will be getting married as s-soon as possible.” A shiver runs through my body as I admit it out loud.
“What’s the rush? Is she’s turning into a frog?” Lukas chuckles, but when I don’t reply to his stupid question, he says, “You can’t lie to me, Zane. This thing between us works on trust. You tell me everything, and I’ll give my life for you.”
Instead of feeling irritated, my heart fills with unbridled warmth and affection. I know he’ll do that for me—lay down his life, protecting me.
I met Lukas for the first time in a boys’ home we were placed in after our parents’ death. He was like us, a lonely kid, sad and lost.
He rescued me one day, when some older boys were picking on me. After that, I started hanging around him. For months, he simply ignored me, but I knew he needed friends. I could feel it.
It took a long time before he softened.
However, Zander never liked Luke. I think I’m to blame for a part of it. My eldest brother wasn’t pleased that I was seeking someone else for support and affection. What Zander didn’t know was that Luke was just as lonely as us.
When Beast took us in, he offered Lukas to join us, but he refused. We lost touch for many years, until Lukas moved to St. Peppers a few years back and we all reconnected.
“Hello?”
“I’m her-re.” I clear my throat. “She’s got a br-rain tumor.” I hear him curse softly. “She d-doesn’t have insur-rance.”
“But why are you marrying her?”
“Sh-she’s alone, Luke. Like us.”
He’s quiet for a second, and I worry he’s going to preach to me about being strong-willed and getting a better grasp on my feelings, but he asks instead, “And you like her too?”
From today onward, I’ll have to lie to everyone, including my family, telling them that I don’t just like Vienna but love her. But in this moment, Lukas is asking for the truth, and I know I can’t give him any bullshit.
“I d-do,” I confide, hoping my best friend understands that this isn’t just a random act of kindness.
“And what about her?”
I clench my jaw as I admit, “I d-don’t think so. We’ll get d-divorced once sh-she’s better. Maybe in a year from now.”
“Fuck!” He’s moving, probably pacing back and forth. “Don’t do this, Zane. I know you. You have a huge heart, and you’ll end up crushing it by falling for this girl.”
“Th-there’s no going back. I alr-ready promised her.” He’s about to say something, but I interrupt him. “W-will you be my best man at th-the wedding?”
Lukas chuckles. “Did you throw the best man offer out to shut me up and keep your secret safe?”
I sure did. “Is-s it working?”
“Zander will have a heart attack, you know.” Lukas’ chuckle is clear in his words.
I grin, happy that he hasn’t denied my request yet. “D-don’t worry, I have a role for him t-too.”
“I’m here, Zane, but think carefully. Not only about her but about yourself too.”
“The d-decision is made. My br-ride has already agreed.”