Chapter 36 Lifted her into his arms Kaia heard him take a deep breath. Then, he reached out a hand and gently smoothed her hair. "Legs are weak, right? I'll carry you to the car." To Kaia's relief, the elevator was emply except for the three of them. They reached the parking garage without encountering anyone. Alyssa watched, a weird, unreadable expression on her face as Lucien carefully cradled her best friend. He shielded Kaia's head as he gently lowered her into the back seat. "Alyssa, ride back here," he instructed. "Look after her." Whose friend are we talking about here? Alyssa said, "…Uh, sure. Got it." As the car pulled out, Kaia curled her fingers into her lap, still feeling the ghost of Lucien's touch on her waist. Her skin burned where he'd held her. Like his handprint had branded her straight through the fabric. "Kaia, what the hell happened? And where's Alden? You're in trouble, and he's just-gone?" Kaia's eyes darkened with a bitter smile. He only has eyes for Luna. He wouldn't even notice me. Besides, we broke up! "Elevator got stuck," Kaia said. "I… I'm not great with the dark." Even to her own ears, it sounded lame. From the driver's seat, Lucien's eyes met hers in the rearview mirror, sharp and probing. "Claustrophobia?" Kaia's hands, resting on her knees, clenched slightly. "Yeah. Guess you could call it that." Alyssa hadn't known about this and leaned forward, concerned. "Kaia, since when do you have claustrophobia?" That was usually a symptom of some serious trauma. Lucien cut in before Kaia could answer. "Alright, let's get her checked first." "I don't need the hospital. Just take me home. I need to rest for a bit," Kaia said. She hated hospitals. Lucien turned, his gaze pinning her. "You're not fine until a doctor says you're." Kaia had no comeback for that. "Fine." Lucien took her directly to New York's best private hospital. Alyssa pouted, muttering under her breath, "Wait-this is Landon's hospital. Why'd you bring us here?" Lucien's voice was level. "Your personal beef with him doesn't negate his medical expertise." When they parked, Lucien leaned over and, once again, lifted her into his arms. Kaia flushed. "You really don't have to…" Lucien didn't even seem to hear her. "It's just a few more steps." Landon was on duty at the clinic. He looked up, and his jaw nearly hit the floor as Lucien strode in, carrying a young woman. "Suspected claustrophobia. Got scared in a stuck elevator; legs went weak. Check her over." Lucien's tone was commanding. Landon's eyebrow shot up, his expression clearly saying, "Are you giving me orders now?" Lucien gave him a look that could melt steel. "What are you waiting for, Collins? Or do you just look like a doctor?" Damn it! Landon cursed internally. He pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up his nose and cleared his throat. "Name, age." Kaia had kept her head down, her bangs shielding her face, so Landon hadn't recognized her at first. "Kaia Domont, twenty-six." Landon's head snapped up, his eyes wide with shock. Only then did he realize the person in the chair was Alden's bride-to-be. Landon narrowed his eyes, giving Lucien a meaningful look. "If you'll excuse us, I need to speak with the patient privately about her condition." Alyssa, knowing Landon was inside, had stayed out. So Landon's barb was aimed squarely at Lucien. Lucien shot a cool glance at Landon. Then his gaze softened as he turned to Kaia. "You okay being alone with him?" Kaia nodded almost imperceptibly. "Mm-hmm." Twenty minutes later, Landon and Kaia emerged together. Landon's eyes narrowed again. Ha, the little spitfire is out here too! He looked at Lucien. "Nothing critical. Just try to keep her out of confined spaces from now on. Keep her in open spaces." "Mm." Lucien gave a curt nod. "Well, well, Alyssa. Forgotten how to greet your elders?" Landon taunted. Lucien was only three years older than Landon, but generationally, he was a step above. Landon and Alyssa were peers. Alyssa reluctantly choked on the word. "Landon." Landon's eyelid twitched, and he was about to say more, but Lucien interrupted their bickering. "Kaia, still feeling off?" Kaia shook her head. "I'm okay now. Just want to go home." Lucien didn't hesitate. "Okay, I'll take you." Kaia, afraid he was about to pick her up again, offered a strained smile. "My legs are totally fine now. Really. I can walk." Lucien's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. "Mm, I know. I wasn't planning on carrying you again. Let's go." The way he said it… It sounded weird to everyone. Smooth bastard. Landon cursed silently. ZZZZZ On the drive back, Alyssa was bursting with questions for Kaia, but with Lucien in the car, she had to keep a lid on it. Finally, as they arrived, she quickly got out of the car with Kaia. "Uncle Lucien, I'll stay with Kaia tonight, just in case. You can just head home." Lucien frowned, "Don't keep her up. She needs to rest." Lucien gave them a final look, then pulled away from the curb. But instead of heading toward the Graves Manor, the black Maybach did a clean U-turn and sped off in the direction of Alfly Entertainment. Write your comment 1 Gifts