Free Anything He Wants: Castaway #2 (Anything He Wants 7) by Sara Fawkes

through the cracks in the tent, enough light for me to see my clothing strewn across the room. There was no sign of Jeremiah, but I could still smell him on me, feel his lingering presence on my skin. The ache between my legs was no lie, but I ignored it as best I could, dressing quickly before pulling back the flap on the door.
    Light streamed in, and I squinted down the makeshift hallway into the bright area that was the camp’s center. My eyes hadn’t yet adjusted but I could make out figures milling about. It was still too bright for me to watch for more than a couple seconds.
    “Don’t worry, nobody saw him leave your tent.”
    I jumped, startled, and looked the other direction to see Lucas sitting on the ground next to my room. He was staring at his hands, idly wiping sand from between his fingers. All I could do was stare, frozen in place, wondering how long he’d been sitting there. The silence stretched too long, and finally I had to say something. “Obviously, you saw him.”
    “Yes, but apparently I’m nobody.” He stood to his feet, continuing to stare at the other wall before turning to look at me. The smiling mask was gone; he wore a stoic expression that would have done Jeremiah proud. “So, you’ve made your choice.”
    There had never been a choice. But looking at the scarred man, I couldn’t say that out loud. “Lucas,” I started, but nothing else would come out.
    He waited several seconds for me to continue, but when I didn’t continue he sighed. “Did you tell him?” he asked in a low voice.
    I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat and gave a jerky shake of the head. “You’re not going to tell,” I started, unable to complete my question.
    Annoyance played out across Lucas’ face. “It isn’t my secret to tell,” he said firmly. For a moment he looked at a loss for words, then those blue-green eyes met mine. “Did I ever have a chance with you?”
    I closed my eyes briefly, unsure how to respond. As much as I wanted to forget, or rather go back and change, my choice to turn to him for comfort, it had happened. Lucas had, whether I wanted to admit it or not, given me the comfort and safety I’d needed. He deserved an answer, but I couldn’t begin to process the question, not now. Not here.
    His eyes trailed over my shoulder, then in the blink of an eye the smiling mask was back. “So no, sandstorms aren’t normal for this time of the year, but isn’t it just a great coincidence that one happens just as... Well, speak of the devil.”
    I blinked in confusion, then turned my head to see Jeremiah and Rashid duck into the small hall. Jeremiah gave his brother a frosty look then turned to me. His face softened but he didn’t try to touch me, just stood close enough that his arm brushed my shoulder.
    “Rashid, my old friend.” Lucas’ words seemed deliberate, the smile on his face forced. “I came for answers to questions, not a tour of this lovely desert. I thought you would have something for us by now.”
    “Alas my old friend, it is you who are mistaken.” Rashid pulled an envelope out from under his arm and handed it over to Lucas, who took it gingerly. “Your task was not an easy one, nor was it cheap.”
    Lucas eyed the other man thoughtfully as he opened the yellow envelope and pulled out the contents. Frowning at the paper in his hands for a moment, he passed it over to Jeremiah. “Do you know him?”
    I peered over Jeremiah’s arm as the billionaire studied the photo. The picture was grainy, like it had been taken from far away and blown up. The single man pictured was wearing sunglasses, and could have been any other dark-haired, sunglass-wearing men in the world. Jeremiah gave a growling sigh. “This was the best you could do?”
    “Hardly.” Rashid favored the man beside me with a small smile. “I also got a name. Alexander Rush .”
    Jeremiah shook his head. “Doesn’t ring a bell.”
    “Well, it should. Apparently, he’s your brother.”

    I was