“You have to protect Jennifer,” the pale man rasped from where he laid on the hospital bed. The look in his eyes, much too strong, belied the weakness of his body.
“I will,” came the immediate response.
“From yourself as well.”
The rapidity with which Lucas' affectionate face closed off, leaving a blank one, was almost unbelievable. But no matter how tempted he was to avert his gaze, he didn't; that would completely give him off. “I don't know what you mean.”
“I've seen the way you look at her,” his stepfather continued in the same calm tone, “she loves you too but she's still too young.”
“I know and I wouldn't dream of touching her,” Lucas all but bit out as he realized what the man was hinting at, “She's my stepsister!”
A humorless chuckle welcomed his vehement claim. “Don't lie to
