Run This Town 03 - (Watch Me) Unmask You (2 page)

“If I run to the store will you be here when I get back?”

“What? Why are you—” He swallowed the rest of the question and tried for a nonchalant shrug. “Dunno. Maybe. Maybe not.”

“I’m gonna get you some food. Don’t think I haven’t heard your belly rumbling.”

Lucky ducked his head in mortification.

“Plus some blankets and other stuff.”

“Why are you being nice to me?” Lucky took a giant step back and looked at him with what he hoped was disdain. “Don’t think I’ll let you do anything to me. You can forget it, old man.”

Elias rolled his eyes. “I’m going, be here or not. Doesn’t matter to me.” And he walked out.

Lucky remained rooted to the spot until he heard the front door close softly then he dropped to his knees on the floor. He covered his face with his hands. This had been a mistake, coming here. At least at the Hendersons he had some food, he had a bed, uncomfortable as it was, and he had blankets to keep him warm. He’d been a fool to think he could do this, to think he was old enough. He wasn’t, as evidenced by his present situation.

He sat against the wall where his headboard used to be and pulled his knees up to his chest. Resting his head on his knees, he contemplated leaving. Elias could be lying to him, tricking him into staying while he called the cops. Lucky did break into the house, after all.

How did Elias even know Lucky was here? Was he the new owner of the house? He seemed to know the place. Twenty-eight, he’d said. Likely he was married, and bought this place for his wife and kids.

Funny how that thought made Lucky angry. Angry that another child would be sleeping in his bedroom. The chills came back now that Elias was gone and he shuddered, teeth chattering. His eyelids grew heavy so he leaned his head back.

“Lucky.”

Someone was shaking him, calling his name.

“Lucky, c’mon. Wake up for me.”

That voice, why was it so familiar? And why did it chase away the cold?

“Lucky.”

“Hm?” He opened an eye. A red, bushy beard came into view, and he reached out a hand to touch it.

“Wake for me, Lucky.”

“Huh?” He blinked and dropped his hand. “Oh shit. Sorry.” He squinted up at Elias. “You came back.”

“I did.” He gave a brief nod.

Lucky wanted to hug him, but instead he glanced at the watch he’d stolen from a kiosk on the streets of Lower Manhattan and scowled. “Took you long enough.”

Elias’s lips twitched, as if he was trying not to smile. “I brought you food.” He waved a white container under Lucky’s nose. “Burger and fries and stuff.” He moved away just as Lucky was about to lunge at the food. “I had to search for the blankets and space heater so that took extra time, sorry.”

Blankets? Lucky looked around. A space heater was plugged into the wall a few feet away. A bag was next to him, made of clear plastic so he could see the thick, burgundy blanket inside. He gaped. “You— You bought all this? Why?” Suspicion raised its ugly head again, but he couldn’t feel bad about it. Nobody did anything for anyone without wanting something in return. “What do I have to do in payment?”

Elias dropped to one knee and got in his face, eyes fierce, captivating. “Let’s get something straight. You’re a kid. I don’t know who you’ve been around, but I’m not that type. I don’t require anything other than for you to be warm and your belly full.” He stopped and blew out a breath that rustled Lucky’s hair. “Lucky. You’re safe from me, with me.”

“God. Fine.” He rolled his eyes and lifted his chin. “Hand over the food then, jeez.”

Elias did, and Lucky’s mouth watered when he saw the warm burger and fries. He went to town, ramming it into his mouth, groaning at the taste. He didn’t look up except when Elias shoved a bottled soda in his face.

“Drink before you choke.” He sounded amused, but Lucky didn’t care. His stomach cramped, but he couldn’t stop eating. The Hendersons didn’t believe in fast food so God knew when he’d get this chance again.

“Take your time, Lucky.”

He grunted and flipped Elias the bird without taking his gaze from the food. A laugh burst from Elias, and Lucky jerked his head up, staring. The sound was…hypnotic, and it made his chest ache. He brought his head back down to hide his confusion and discomfort, finishing off the burger and turning his attention to the salty fries. They were no longer warm, but damn if they didn’t taste like perfection. Shoulders hunched to protect the food, he kept his attention right there until the fries and soda were all gone, and his stomach felt like he was about to burst.

“Better?”

He nodded without looking up at Elias. “Yes.” He bit his lip then licked it, tasting the salt from the fries. “Thank you.” He met Elias’s gaze. “Thank you.” He had manners, when he remembered to use them.

Elias nodded then he got back down on the floor, sitting next to Lucky, his back to the wall as well. “You’re welcome.” He held out white paper napkins and Lucky took them, wiping his mouth and chin, and his fingers.

He dropped the soiled napkins into the plastic bag the food came in then cleared his throat. “Why are you being so nice to me? I broke into your house.”

“This isn’t my house,” Elias said easily. “Besides, you needed help.”

That was an odd way to phrase it, and whose house was it? But Lucky moved on to another topic. “Does your wife know where you are? You got kids?” Maybe that’s why he was being so nice to Lucky.

Elias shook his head, his gaze on the ceiling. “I don’t have a wife. No kids either.”

“Girlfriend?”

Elias turned to him, eyes deep and so damn blue. “Why do you want to know about my social life, Lucky Mousasi?”

“Noth— I’m just making small talk.” He shrugged. “You don’t have to tell me anything, it’s not as if we’ll be seeing each other again after this. Right?”

Elias’s mouth tightened. “Right.”

Lucky looked away. “I just… you feel right.” He couldn’t believe he’d muttered the words. Elias probably couldn’t believe it either, because he stiffened.

“Right? What do you mean I feel right?”

Shit. He stared down at the floor. “Dunno.” His voice was all gruff suddenly. “Familiar, okay? Like I know you or something. Like-like I’m safe with you.” His cheeks were on fire. He sounded like a freaking girl.

“You are safe, Lucky. I told you that.”

“I know.” But that wasn’t really what Lucky meant. Truth was, he didn’t know what he meant. “I’m tired, I’m gonna…” He waved a hand.

Elias got up and fetched the blanket then turned off the light before going back to sit next to Lucky. “Put your head on my shoulder.”

Lucky stared at him.

“Do it, Lucky, and I’ll cover us.”

Lucky couldn’t make himself move. Elias did it. He moved in close until their thighs were brushing, their shoulders rubbing, and cupped Lucky’s nape, bringing his head to Elias’s shoulder.

Lucky went with it, even though his body was acting up again and he could smell Elias’s skin. Like the crisp November air and another scent, cologne or something. He even smelled right. Familiar. Lucky sighed and melted into his side, lashes drooping. Once again he wanted to question why. Why was Elias doing all of this? He opened his mouth to ask, but all that came out was, “I smell.”

“Shh. Rest, Lucky.” There he went, hypnotizing Lucky, luring him into warmth and safety with his voice. “I’ve got you,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”

Chills raced up Lucky’s spine at that chant. Familiar, so familiar.

“So right,” he murmured as sleep took him.

****

The sound of a car woke him. Lucky blinked bleary eyes then jumped to his feet, slapping an arm to the wall to keep his wobbly legs upright. He looked around.

He was home. His heart broke at the familiar surroundings then he spied the blanket, the space heater, and the night before came back to him.

Elias.
 Lucky stood there, head bowed. So Elias had left. He wasn’t a baby. He had to man up. It didn’t matter that some stranger had abandoned him while he slept. He was all alone and he knew what he had to do, knew he had to go back to his aunt and uncle with his tail between his legs.

A sound behind him had him spinning around, hiding the startled gasp with a cough.

Elias stood there, eyes weary, long red hair a mess, the bushy beard making him look uncivilized. Scary. That didn’t matter at all.

“You didn’t leave.” Lucky shook his head then looked around. “Why?”

Elias shrugged. “Figured you’d need a ride.” His gaze traveled to the window then back to Lucky. “And that you’d want to get back before anyone notices you’re missing.”

What? “But…” He couldn’t figure this dude out. “We’re in Oyster Bay, and I need to be in Jersey.”

Elias grinned. “Lucky thing I’ve got a car, huh?” He waved a hand. “Come on, let’s go.”

But Lucky didn’t move. All kinds of worst-case scenarios played out in his head. What if this guy had been waiting for Lucky to trust and him and once he got Lucky in his vehicle he never let him go?

“Lucky.” Elias watched him, his eyes softening as if he got why Lucky was hesitating. “I’m not going to hurt you, kid. Had that chance when you were drooling on my shoulder.”

Ugh.
Embarrassment had Lucky’s body burning hot.

“I want to take you back to where you should be then I’ll be going about my business.” Elias gathered his hair from his face with a large hand and fashioned it into a thick braid that hung down his back. “I’ve got a very demanding employer waiting for me, so…” he lifted an eyebrow and waited.

“Fine.” Lucky stared him in the eye, even though that was hard because Elias’s eyes were… nice to look at. Really nice. “But if you do anything—”

“I’ll let you hurt me back if I hurt you in any way.”

What did that even mean? Lucky didn’t get the chance to ask because Elias was walking out the door, taking the space heater and blanket with him. “Where are you taking them?” he asked, hurrying behind Elias as the older man strode quickly through the house.

Elias didn’t stop walking. “Figured you’d want it. If you don’t I’ll toss it.”

“No,” Lucky said quickly. “I’ll take it.” Although how he’d explain it to Aunt Diana he had no clue.

Elias opened the door and stepped outside onto the porch. Still dark out, but it would be daylight soon. And with the rising sun Lucky had to put the night behind him. Elias walked down the stairs and Lucky turned in the doorway, looking back into the house.

He saw himself running through the living room, skidding to a stop at his mother’s scolding. Laughing when his father tickled him. He remembered all that. Sometimes he wished he didn’t. Other times, he was glad for the memories. He didn’t know if he would come back. Didn’t know who’d bought the house, but he hoped it was a family. A nice family with kids who’d come away with memories as happy as his were.

“Lucky.”

He stiffened at Elias’s gentle voice then sniffed, ducking his head and discretely wiping his cheek with his sleeve. He faced Elias. “Let’s go.”

Elias’s gaze was steady on Lucky’s face. “Are you okay?”

Lucky bristled. “I’m not crying.”

“Never said you were.”

Lucky stomped past him and into the black car parked at the end of the driveway. He buckled up and huffed, crossing his arms over his chest as Elias got in and started the engine.

“Tell me your address.”

Lucky did in the most sullen voice he could muster, keeping his gaze straight ahead as Elias pulled off. His chest felt full, like he should be crying to let all the emotion out, but he wasn’t a kid anymore. All he did was sniff and ice out the man next to him.

“This the first time you’ve run away?” Elias asked.

“What’s it to you?”

“Don’t do it again,” Elias said firmly. “There are people out there, Lucky, people who won’t think twice about hurting you. Don’t do this again.”

“You think just because you didn’t kill me while I slept that you can tell me what to do?” he snapped. “I’m not a fucking kid, so keep your thoughts to yourself, and take me where I need to go.”

Elias didn’t act as if Lucky’s anger even fazed him. “Why did you run away, Lucky?”

He was so calm. Why was he so calm? Lucky couldn’t hold on to his anger. “Because… I heard my aunt talking about the house. She said it was up for sale and that it would be gone soon.”

“So you came to see it one last time.”

“Yeah, but you know—” Lucky waved a hand in dismissal. “It’s no big deal.” Except this wasn’t the first time he’d come to the house. And unlike this time when he’d had some money scraped together to pay for his train and bus fare, the last time he’d been empty-handed. He hadn’t thought it through and ended up—

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Elias said, tone solemn. “Your parents.”

Lucky’s chest drew tight. “It’s cool.”

Elias didn’t call him on the lie. They drove in silence and finally Lucky spoke again.

“Where are you from?”

“I was born in Scotland,” Elias told him. “But I haven’t been back since I left at seventeen.”

Intrigued, Lucky kept up the questioning. “Where do you live now?”

Elias chuckled. “Why, you plan on dropping by for a visit?”

Lucky flushed and fisted his hands, looking out the car window. “Fine. You don’t have to tell me.”

Elias sighed. “I don’t live anywhere, Lucky. I travel a lot.”

“So it’s really true?” Lucky’s voice fell. “You’re not the one who bought my—the house?”

“No. I’m sorry.”

Lucky didn’t understand the apology. How did Elias know he’d been in the house? Had he been in one of the houses nearby?

Elias glanced at him before turning back to the road. “You’ll be fine, kid.”

“Not a kid.”

Elias smiled. “Uh-huh.”

They rode the rest of the way in silence. Just as Lucky started nodding off again, Elias pulled up in front the Hendersons’ house. Lucky swallowed. He really didn’t like being in that place.

“Lucky.”

“Yeah. Yeah. I’m going.” He grabbed the door handle, but Elias stopped him with a hand on Lucky’s shoulder.

That felt… Damn.

“You’ll be fine, Lucky,” he said softly. “I have faith in you. You’re way stronger than you think.”

Lucky frowned. “I don’t even know what that means.”

Elias’s mouth twitched. “I know, but you will.”

Yeah. Whatever. He opened the car door.

“Don’t forget the stuff in the backseat.”

Lucky opened the back driver’s side door and grabbed the blanket. His hands were already full so no way was he going to be able to take the space heater, too. Elias got out and helped with that, and together they walked around the two-story house, painted blue. In the backyard, Lucky handed Elias the blanket then climbed the ladder he’d placed against the house, leading to his bedroom. Halfway up, he held out a hand for the blanket, and Elias handed it up.

Lucky tossed it through his open window then motioned for the space heater. Only this time he went all the way up the ladder and Elias followed him, handing off the heater. Lucky placed it gently on the floor just inside his bedroom window then climbed back down the ladder.

He stood there, staring at Elias. “What’s your last name?”

“Why?”

“Dunno.” Lucky shrugged. “So I can thank you properly?”

“My last name isn’t a requirement for your thanks, Lucky Mousasi.” Elias glanced at the house. “Take care of yourself. Stay focused. Avoid trouble. That is thanks enough.”