“I wouldn’t mind owning this one.”
My chest constricts and my heart beats faster. “The museum doesn’t sell its exhibits.”
Adrien’s face hardens. “That’s too bad. Don’t worry, I had no plans to outright purchase him. I couldn’t lift him anyway.” He gives me a tight smile like he’s tried. “At least now I know where to go when I want to admire him.”
“So…” I say, changing the subject. “Do you want that tour?”
“Nothing would make me happier.”
I step away from the counter—away from Zuriel—relieved to lead Adrien away from him. He’s mine. My mystery, my curiosity. The thought of losing him now, to anyone, makes me defensive.
It’s tempting to pretend I’m possessive out of interest alone, but it’s deeper than that. Zuriel said I am in danger. Being in danger does not suit me. The fact that I know so little makes me nervous, like I’m a sitting duck as hunters close in, completely oblivious.
I’m a woman—I know all about fear and danger. What not to do and what to do to keep myself as safe as possible in a patriarchal world. Right now, all I have is Zuriel’s promise of protection. It’s a promise I’ve latched onto because I’m way out of my depth. I hope, even pray, that I’ve made the right choice by trusting him. Tonight will tell. If I can make it until then.
“Great,” I say, sprinkling sweetness into my voice as I lead him to the entryway. “Follow me into the weird and strange.” He crowds close behind me, and his heat envelops me like a flame. It’s not a nice warmth—it’s the kind that scorches and stabs.
“I love the weird and strange. Are those… peaches I smell?”
Peaches?My lips purse. He’s talking about my body wash. I stray deeper into the museum, putting space between us, feeling like I’m leading him intohistrap. When I turn to face him, he’s grinning down at me, blocking my retreat. A shiver courses up my spine. When I meet his brown eyes, I struggle to look away.
“Peaches?” I ask, breathing out the word.
Adrien places a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. I freeze. “Apples are my favorite. Peaches are a close second.”
The door to the museum opens with a ding. I look past Adrien’s scowl, focused on my escape, and push past him to the storefront. Dad walks through and on his heels is Dr. Taylor, another family friend.
I’ve never been happier to see them.
“Summer, glad to see you’re safe.” Dad’s face is flushed. “Just stopping in to check on you. I tried calling your phone and couldn’t connect to the damn provider.” His gaze shifts from me to Adrien, and his worry fades. “Adrien, good to see you.”
“You too.”
“Hey, Dr. Taylor,” I greet him, stepping into the protective space of my dad, where Adrien won’t be able to crowd. “I’m glad you stopped in. I was about to give Adrien here a tour.”
“It can wait. I don’t like you being here all alone, especially with all that’s been happening over the last couple of days. Taylor was just telling me the Starbucks off the interstate was robbed this morning.”
“They think it was one of those escaped criminals who did it,” Taylor interjects. “Though no suspects have been named. Either way, your dad’s worried about you being here alone and I am too. When is Hopkins coming back?” He peers into the museum.
“I don’t know. I missed a call from him earlier, ” I say. “As you can see, I’m fine.”
Dad glances around with a suspicious sigh. “But I’m not fine, and neither is your mom. No one in this town is fine right now. It’s been one thing after the other. The police are already stretched thin.”
“You’re a good dad,” Adrien says, stepping forward. “Checking in on your daughter.”
“It’s what any dad would do.” Dad huffs. “I got the tires on your mom’s car and my truck replaced. Only cost a small fortune. Had Taylor here drive your mom’s car back to the house—and that’s when we learned about the robbery. I figured we would stop in and check on you before I drop him back off at the hospital. I’ll be dropping off and picking up your mom until the police can find the asshat who slashed all our tires.”
“They didn’t get him on the security cameras?” I ask.
Taylor and Dad both launch into a tirade at the same time, going on about blurry footage and the security guard being on break.
“We need to start a town watch,” Taylor argues.
“You’d think we wouldn’t need to with the state police in town now! They haven’t caught a single criminal yet from the jailbreak.”
Adrien pulls his beanie out of his pocket and glances at me apologetically. “I should go.”
I feign disappointment as Dad and Taylor rant. “Sorry. Maybe next time?”
