Chapter Twenty-Five

I drove into Mintia and parked the SUV in front of Luciana’s store. There was one dim light on in the back and the front door was unlocked. The store was empty of stock and shelves and I looked around at the bare store.

I turned towards the back when a door opened and I closed my eyes briefly as Luciana’s scent reached out to me. She smelled like fresh morning dew with a hint of oranges and I got a vivid image of the sunset.

“Duke Grey …” She sounded breathless and my eyes popped open.

She looked down instantly but not before I saw the light purple underneath her eye and across her temple. “Who hurt you?” I had no idea why I felt so protective over her. She was a just a young woman that I had met once before.

“It doesn’t matter.” She tucked a strand of her brown hair behind her ear, showing her discomfort with my presence.

“Why’s the store empty?” It wasn’t my place to ask these questions but I felt my dominant and protective sides clashing, wanting to make her feel better.

“My father