The Puppet Assassin [TTR sequel]

The Puppet Assassin - Ch 31 [on your knees]

“Dizelde!” I heard Luke’s voice call from downstairs. I guess that meant I had to go down there. Was my face obviously flushed? Would they ask questions? Would Luke and Liam find out about my relationship with Larkin? Phew, that was a tongue twister. I got up and winced as the muscles in my calves pulled.

Wait a minute, I was wearing Larkin’s top. They would definitely ask questions. I mean, I could answer honestly about Lark healing me but if they asked how I ‘received’ Lark’s top… would I have to tell them I’d been snooping? Through Lark’s things?

I opened the door just as I heard Luke’s light steps coming up the stairs. I raised my eyebrows as he came into view.

“I’ve got lunch on its way here, make sure you eat it all. And tomorrow, you and I, we’re going to have a long talk to go over a few things.” He smiled, looking a little awkward and then turned.

It seemed like he said all he’d needed to say but what he had done for me today was simply the greatest thing anyone had ever done for me. “Thank you, Luke, for taking care of me,” I said, forcing my voice to come out strongly.

He turned his head back with a smirk. “Anytime.”

I watched him walk back down the stairs with a feeling that I had just made a connection with Luke that was irreversible. I couldn’t put a name to the relationship we had but it was a strong one. And I knew close to nothing about him. Perhaps my mind was just romanticising the moment.

I heard the low sounds of chatter and then the front door closed, silence filling the house making it seem like I was alone. But me and my anticipation knew better. Ha-ha, what to do now?

I felt it. I couldn’t hear his steps or see the top of his head but I knew he was walking up the stairs. Sure enough, a second later his head appeared. Followed by his broad shoulders, tapering in at his waist and then came his long, long legs. I pressed my lips tightly together to stop myself from drooling. Damn.

He looked at me and flinched, actually flinched. “We, I mean, you should come downstairs with me so that we can eat… together...” He laughed suddenly, looking like he was amused with himself rather than me, and then held out his hand towards me. I took it.

** **

“… I think he’s figured that you’re very much able to take care of yourself. Something I’ve yet come to terms with.” Lark was watching me eat, having finished his meal long before me.

I was probably going slower because I was so nervous about what would happen next. Like, would I put my trash in the garbage bin and then get attacked by him? Or would he take my hand and… Ugh! But what if absolutely nothing happened? What if we just sat and talked? What if I was working myself up for nothing?

Wait, what was he saying? He hadn’t come to terms with the fact that I could defend myself? Hadn’t I proved that earlier? I narrowed my eyes at him.

He grinned crookedly. “I know you’re about to argue your point but hear mine out first. I grew up in a family where my dad is this big guy,” - he hunched his shoulders to imitate muscles - “and my mum is a petite little thing. And I’m the eldest of seven. Seven, Dizelde. We got threatened a lot when I was younger and my dad was away heaps. So I got all these protective instincts.” He gestured randomly. “And I see you, big eyed, innocent expression, and I feel like I have to shield you. It might be wrong, unnecessary, belittling, sexist but I can’t help it! Really!”