Come on, my dude. Give mesomething.
Eve snorts, then says, “Aury, remember that time in college when some asshole came up to us on the street and flashed us while we were on a walk with Louie? She went into full guard dog mode. Almost bit that perv’s dick off.”
Thankfully, Eve seems blissfully unaware of the battle of unspoken words being waged in Ezra’s dining room.
“Yeah. Louie’s one of a kind,” I say with a smile and a shrug directed at Thane.
“After what happened, it must be reassuring to have her by your side,” he replies, his voice soft. “Listen to her instincts, Aurora. She’ll always keep you out of harm’s way.”
I wonder what would happen if I slammed my palms on the table and asked him just what the hell he is.
I’d lose my friends, that’s what would happen.
Crap.
“Well, my lovely daffodil, are you ready to go home? I’m afraid I’m still pretty hungry,” Thane growls in Eve’s ear.
Eve and I giggle like two girls who just saw their crush walk by. Despite Thane’s strange behavior, he’s still extremely charming and obviously adores my best friend. I can be concerned and enjoy their relationship at the same time, at least that’s the current lie I’m selling myself.
I hand Eve the leftovers as I walk them to the door, then wrap her in a big hug, promising to call her tomorrow.
Thane pulls me in for a hug, too. “Be well, Daughter,” he whispers in my ear.
I go completely still, ice water flooding my veins.
Daughter.
Not “Aurora.”
Not “kid.”
Not some vague, brotherly pet name.
He knows exactly what I am.
I force myself to step back, then convince my lips to curl into something resembling a smile.
“You too, Thane,” I say, and it almost sounds normal.
Almost.
But, as I remind myself for the hundredth time, Thane has had ample opportunity to hurt me. And unlike Harlan’s disgusting, rotting soul, which I could literally see at the bar the other night, I don’t sense that in Thane. It’s just … bright and calm.
By the time I remember how to move, he’s got Eve tucked into his side like nothing ever happened and they’re already halfway to the car.
I close and lock the door, then arm the security system. It may be a false sense of security, but right now, I’ll take it.
I stand on the basement steps for over fifteen minutes, lost in my thoughts, before returning to the kitchen. I wipe down the counters, run the dishwasher, and then drag myself upstairs to check on Lou.
Thane really scared her. I hope she’s feeling better, but I’m also curious if she knows what Thane is. He must be very good at hiding his true nature if even Ezra hasn’t been able to identify him as anything other than human. I wouldn’t have, either, if he hadn’t been so obvious.
It’s almost like he wants me to know. And maybe that’s what really gets me.
I thought Thane was just a sweet guy working at Ezra’s bookshop. But suddenly he’s making damn sure I know he sees me.
Really sees me.
Has he been waiting for this moment? Waiting for me?
