Lady first

Bella woke to an empty bed, the sound of the shower pulling her from sleep. She padded into the bathroom, steam curling around her as she slipped into the shower. No words were needed, his mouth was on hers before she could even think, his hands already moving over her skin. He turned her, his breath hot on her neck, his touch deliberate. A soft gasp escaped her as his hands found her breasts, and then he was inside her, rough and insistent. Her moans grew louder, lost in the rhythm of his movements, his grip tight, keeping her pressed against him. It was almost too much, the tension unraveling them both. When it was over, he didn’t pull away, his mouth still on her neck as he turned her to face him, holding her against his chest like he couldn’t let go. I can’t ever get enough of you, he whispered

"Go back to sleep," draping a towel around her. Bella was too drained to argue. She collapsed onto the bed and was out before her head hit the pillow. The sun stabbed through the curtains, dragging her awake. She squinted at her phone. Almost eleven. She bolted upright, threw on clothes, and sprinted into the living room to find Lucas sprawled on the floor with Oliver and Max. She paused, absorbing the scene, Oliver laughing, then spotting her. "Mom!" He hurled himself at her, and she caught him, holding him close before joining them on the floor, her eyes locked on Lucas.

"I got to call Thomas," she said, "or he’ll," She mimed slitting her throat, and Lucas laughed.

After the call, they ate lunch together, and for the first time in what felt like forever, things felt… normal.

"The nanny’s got the kids," Lucas said, hoisting Oliver into the air as the kid squealed, "Higher! Higher!"

"Throw on something casual. I’m taking you somewhere."

Bella pulled on jeans and a sweater, grabbed her shoes, and stepped outside to find Lucas waiting by motorcycle. She climbed on behind him, arms wrapped tight around his waist. They rode for a while before veering into the woods, stopping at a clearing. He pulled a suitcase from the bike, set it down, and popped it open, a rifle inside.

"Watch and learn," he said, walking her through each step before taking it apart and handing it to her. She reassembled it without missing a beat.

"Smart wife," he murmured, kissing her. He opened the seat, pulled out a blanket, and spread it on the ground.

"Ladies first," he said. Bella lay on her stomach, Lucas beside her, adjusting the rifle on the tripod.

"Alright, focus. Look through the lens, pick your target, breathe, and pull the trigger," Lucas said, his body half draped over hers as he guided her.

"You’re not helping me concentrate," Bella muttered, squinting through the scope.

"Oh, I’m not?" he teased, flipping his hand up. She couldn’t help but laugh.

Bella zeroed in on a tree, steadied her breath, and fired. The bullet hit dead center.

"Yes!" she shouted, grinning. "This is incredible!"

Before she could say more, Lucas flipped her onto her back, his lips crashing into hers, his hand sliding under her sweater. Things were heating up fast, until he abruptly stopped.

"Seriously? That’s just mean," Bella groaned, glaring at him.

"What?". "Thought you were distracted. Guess not."

Rolling her eyes, Bella turned back to the rifle, scanning through the lens. This time, she spotted two men arguing in the distance. As she tried to zoom in, one pulled a gun and shot the other.

Bella jerked back, her breath catching in her throat.

Lucas leaned in, saw what she’d witnessed, and cursed under his breath. "Fuck. Fuck!" He quickly disassembled the rifle while Bella tossed the blanket into a messy pile.

They jumped onto the bike, Lucas speeding off like a maniac. Back at the house, he sprinted inside, barking orders at the maid and nanny to pack the kids’ things. Max was already in the car by the time he went back for Oliver.

"Lucas, what the hell is going on?" Bella demanded, panic edging her voice.

"Just grab your stuff. We need to move. Now," he snapped, his tone leaving no room for argument.

She shoved her things into a bag, and they were out the door. Lucas drove like hell for a while, constantly checking the mirror, before easing off the gas slightly.

"We’ll go to the penthouse," "It’s in the middle of the city. No one’ll look for us there."

"Fine," Bella replied, her voice tight. "But we’re talking about this later."

"Yeah, later," Lucas echoed, his focus entirely on the road.

It took forever to get the boys settled, but finally, they sat down to talk. Bella handed Lucas a cup of coffee she’d just made, steaming hot.

“His name’s Conner,” Lucas started, his voice low. “A stone-cold killer. Makes me look like a fucking amateur. He works for the Lisbune, our competition.”

“The ones who they thought they took me. Bella asked, her brow furrowed.

“Yeah. The owners of the biggest trucking company. They never had kids of their own, so they adopted two boys, Conner and Han. Raised them like commandos. Those guys could kill you without breaking a sweat.”

Bella snorted. “Lucas, come on. This sounds like some action movie plot.”

“Not a joke,” he said sharply. “You’re lucky Damon got you out of there. They’d have put a bullet in you without a second thought.”

Bella hesitated, her mind racing. “Before I heard the gunshots, even before Damon came in to get me, someone shouted at the guy who wiped my back. They stopped. I didn’t see anyone. Should I be worried?”

Lucas pulled her close. “No. You’re clean. I’m the one who’s done the dirty shit, not you. Look at me, I’ll never let anything happen to you. Ever.” He paused, a smile creeping in. “Now, I think I’ve got some unfinished business from the woods.”

She laughed, bolting for the bedroom. Lucas was already halfway out of his shirt, following her with a grin.

He entered the house with measured, tranquil steps. He picked up a shirt from the chair, bringing it to his nose to breathe in its scent as he closed his eyes. As he glanced around, a photograph dropped to the floor. It was Max and Bella. Place it in his pocket.