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"Hmm" The sound was absolutely dise to bum-rush him Luckily he stopped a few feet from the woman "I remember the first time she ran away She was six years old Ran off with that cousin of hers" His lip curled in distaste "Had herterrible had happened to her The boys found the two of theame"

"Children do that," she replied

"Not these children" His gaze lifted froa--"

"Of course not Just be careful, Julia Madeline has a way about her" He rocked back on his heels "Gets under your skin" He glanced at the open door as the sound of approaching steps was heard "Just ask her brothers Especially her twin"

A few seconds later, Lucian appeared in the doorway He took one look at the occupants in his sister’s room and his hands closed into fists "Why are you here?"

Julia wasn’t sure which one he was talking to

Senator de Vincent answered "IntroducingDevlin’s return"

Lucian focused on Julia and not a single thing about his expression said he looked like he believed what his uncle had claiether, Julia nodded while the senator turned to Lucian "Of course," he answered "Why wouldn’t it be?"

"Is that a serious question?" he asked

"Don’t be silly" The senator clapped a hand on Lucian’s shoulder as he strolled toward the door Stopping, he inclined his head toward Julia "It was lovelyto say the sa The senator seemed to know that, because that sone

Lucian stared at the empty doorway for a moment and then faced Julia "What did he want?"

"What he said" Julia glanced back at Madeline She was still staring at the painting "He was checking on her"

Lucian snorted "Did he say anything to you?"

Not wanting to antagonize as already obviously a strained relationship, she shook her head Besides, she wasn’t even sure what the senator had been talking about She did want to know if there was truly a history of Madeline running away, but she ise enough to knoasn’t the same time to ask "He’s not as friendly as you and Gabe"

Lucian inclined his head "I’lad to hear that"

"Me, too"

"How are you feeling? I would’ve checked in on your earlier, but haven’t had the chance"

"I’m okay" She felt her cheeks flush for some dumb reason and she quickly looked away "My head barely even hurts"

"Guess you have a thick skull?" he teased

"My parents would agree with that stateic, she found herself staring at hiain

God, he was so beautiful it made her heart wince Part of her still couldn’t believe what had happened between them Days later and it didn’t seem real More like some kind of heated dreaainst her back was nearly i a little flushed, Ms Hughes"

She was feeling a little flushed "Julia You can call me Julia"

He simply smiled

Julia cleared her throat Since he was here and hadn’t yelled at her yet, she decided to ask hi over there Did Madeline do that?"

Lucian turned at the waist to look at the painting and was silent for a moment "Yeah, that’s one of hers"

"She used to paint a lot?"