My brothers think Viper needs me here to tell him where the line is. They see that as my one real job, infinitely more important than tending Ash’s fight wounds and handling their books. Because I know. I can see that line, the one that separates us from the monsters, the one between good and evil.
But what they don’t seem to understand is sometimes I don’t give a shit about crossing it.
The scalpel comes out of Daryl’s eye socket with a sickening squelch as Viper takes over with the forceps, fully removing his eye. The vitreous humor shines brightly in the fluorescent lights.
6
SYDNEY
Nine days.
It takes only nine days of nonstop texting and gifts before Ashton shows up at the bookshop in person. Honestly, I should have seen it coming. It’s not like he was going to stay away forever.
I’m in the back of the store, finishing up with a customer, when I hear his voice carry across the shop, tugging at my heart and almost making me drop the stack of books I’m holding.
Shut the fuck up, heart, you dumb bitch. Get it together.
“Hey, Jade!” Ashton sounds like his usual happy, overly enthusiastic self. “How is this beautiful day treating you?”
“Oh, it’s you. Great,” Jade answers, voice so thick with sarcasm it’s practically dripping. “I’m super. You know, I was just reading a Scientific America piece all aboutspace. I don’t think I can get enough ofspace. Isn’tspacejust lovely?”
I sigh, placing the books down and closing up the register before heading over to save them from each other.
“Sure, I guess,” Ashton answers nonchalantly, Jade’s jab going completely over his head. “That stuff is more Doc’s scene, you know? He loves nerdy shit like that.”
I arrive just in time to see one of Jade’s trademark eyerolls. Really, it’s an art form the way she does it. An art form totally lost on Ashton, who’s leaning casually against the bakery case, eyes sweeping the café, looking from person to person.
Searching for me.
The effect of seeing him is instantaneous. He’s breathtaking, mouth-wateringly attractive. I want to reach out and touch him, want to run my hands over those huge arms and chest. I want to kiss him, want to let him kiss me. Ashton has the sweetest kisses, so soft and slow and patient.
It’s completely unfair that he’s this goddamn attractive. I cross my arms, locking my hands under my elbow, and keeping my distance so there’s no way I can give in to my urges and let him sweep me up and off my feet.
When Ashton spots me, his entire face lights up, his blue eyes sparkling.
“Hey, Babygirl!” His bright smile stretches from ear to ear, and he rocks forward like he can’t stop himself from trying to get closer. “Look at you. You look stunning today. Did you know that?”
His eyes trail over me, heating as he takes me in.
I suppress my own eyeroll now, hating that even though his lines are so corny, I can tell he means them. He’s just sosincere.Here I am wearing a simple gray T-shirt and jeans, and Ash somehow makes me feel like I’m in lingerie. I tighten my grip on myself.
“What are you doing here, Ash?” I ask, not bothering to keep the anger out of my voice.
His smile drops a fraction as he catches the tone.
“I thought you might want to go get some lunch,” he explains, taking a step toward me. “You’ve got to eat, right? I could… I could go get us something and bring it back here for you. You wouldn’t even have to leave.”
He’s so eager, watching me closely, with hope in his eyes. His fingers tap almost rhythmically against his thigh, like he’s nervous.
“Gee, I don’t know if she has thetime,” Jade starts, ready to launch into another tirade that he’s sure not to get. I shoot her a glare, and she returns it, just as grumpy as I am. But at least she stops.
Sighing, I motion for Ashton to follow me, leading him further back into the shop and toward the back register, where there are fewer people. There’s no reason for the entire café to hear this, after all.
Ash follows behind me, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, rubbing his hands together in excitement.
I bring him nearly to the stockroom before I turn to him, taking a deep breath to center myself.
“What are you doing here?” I demand again.
