"But I don't," Dane admitted as they started back toward the party. At least, he assumed that's where they were headed. He wasn't watching where they were going. His gaze was riveted to Lucian's face. This was real. This was actually happening. Did he dare allow himself to be happy? To hope that he had another chance?

"I know who you were before, in a life you don't remember. But I know little of you now beyond your name."

New things to discover. A new life to get to know. One without an awful tyrant like Spider, he hoped. And he hardly looked like someone who would work the docks. But Lucian hadn't looked like that the first time Dane met him, either. Nor did he look poor this time. But again, he hadn't looked poor at the start, either. Whether he was or wasn't, Dane wanted to do better for him this time around. Even if it meant not being a part of his life like before. Just making Lucian's life better. Longer. Fuller. He wouldn't let it end so abruptly this time.