Chapter 13
Bluebell
Hadrian is quiet as I gather up his new clothing and bag it.
Now that the game’s done it’ll be easier for him to haul the bags home.
Plus, I can help. He stands there smirking while I ring it up, debating about whether it’s weird or not to charge my…
whatever he is…for a service. When I open my mouth to debate that with him, he shakes his head.
“Don’t even think about not charging me, Miss Tucker. You provided a service I needed, and I want to see you be successful.”
The Bodice shimmies around us, but this sound is happy as she clatters the wall displays. Buckles jangle together on their hooks, and the shoe boxes shimmy loudly. The playful sounds bring a smile to my face.
“You did a great job,” I compliment the building, hoping that what Hadrian said earlier will sink through to her. I really thought we might be done for when she ruined my organizing efforts. I’ve got to figure out how she wants to be worked with because what I’m doing isn’t panning out.
She seems to like Hadrian, though, so maybe we can finagle that to my benefit. It’s worth a try, if he’s willing to help.
He pays cash and leaves a stupid tip that I try to refuse. When I put up too much of a fuss, the building lets out a series of warning creaks. She doesn’t like me saying no to a customer.
Hadrian chuckles and leans onto both beefy forearms, winking at me. “Seems like the Bodice and I are on the same page, Bluebell. Take the money and don’t fight me about it. Your success and your partnership with her are important to me because you’re important to me, alright?”
I stuff the money in the cash register, determined to return it to him later. Maybe I’ll shove it under his apartment door or stick it in a bag when he’s not looking.
He might be reading my mind, though, because he grabs the large bags and slots it under his arm, then slides his hands into his pockets. Behind his back, his sharp wing tips hover, reminding me how very predatory he could be if he wanted to.
A shiver skirts down my spine, pulling goosebumps to my skin.
Hadrian’s nostrils flare, his pupils darkening as a furrow appears between his brows. He’s utterly still, utterly focused, staring at me like he might rip the counter from its supports and shove it aside to get to me.
“Hadrian,” I whisper. “What are you doing?”
His tail begins to lash side to side as he takes a step forward, then two, until his body hits the counter. “Bluebell,” he growls out. “You want me. I smell it.”
Oh gods. Anybody could come in at any time, and Jasper already called looking for him.
“We can’t do this right here, right now,” I whisper-hiss. “My brother will—”
“You want something only I can give you,” he continues. “Don’t you?”
I run both hands through my hair, glancing at the front window. I can’t see any of my brothers yet, but it’s just a matter of time. And something about the idea of being caught has me throbbing with a surprising anticipation.
“I’m gonna put you on this countertop and take care of that soaked pussy, Bluebell.
” He leans over and grips my throat carefully, pulling me to touch the opposite side of the counter as he rubs his giant thumb pad over my lower lip.
His eyes drift to my mouth, and he smirks.
“I want that mouth open while you scream, pretty girl. My name. My nickname. Any of those works for me. Hop on up here.” He pats the countertop.
“No.” I cross my arms. “We’ve got to go, Hadrian.”
His dark brows lift. “You’re denying me? Me? After you’ve wanted this for so long?”
This kind of play is right up my alley. I always fantasized about Hadrian being secretly dominant. But the fact that he is and getting more dominant by the minute is exactly what I’m into. This male is trouble.
The shop bell dings, and I gasp, wheeling around to the front door. Hadrian never looks away from me, his gaze as tangible as his fingers on my mouth just a moment ago.
“Well, well, well,” says Merit from the doorway, her sister, Bryony, hovering behind her with a smile. They cross to us, Merit waving a piece of paper. “Fancy seeing you two here, although it seems like you two are being seen plenty of places together.”
I scowl at the nosy pixies. They’re Pine Gulch OGs, but damn they love to get into everyone’s business so they can publish it in the weekly Gulch Gossip paper.
They cross the store and I’m thankful when the ceiling beams creak out a noise I take as warning.
Merit slaps the paper down on the counter between Hadrian and me.
When I look at it, my blood runs cold—it’s a photo of him and me standing on the balcony in Santa Alaya.
His wing is around me, and I’m staring up at him, smiling.
We look…shit. We look like we’re in love or, at the very least, romantic.
“It’s not what it looks like,” I shout. “And don’t go flashing that thing around town either. For once, can you mind your own business please?”
Bryony shrugs. “Aww, Bluebell, we were just poking fun. Are you two not dating?” She pulls a notepad and pen from her crochet purse.
I stare up at Hadrian, willing him to rescue me from this conversation.
“Ladies,” he says evenly. “I’ve been the subject of your column a few times in the last couple weeks. I’d greatly appreciate a reprieve, even if it’s just for a short time. Why don’t you try talking to Shroud and Vela since Vela’s new to town? I’m sure she’d love to be on the Gossip’s front page.”
Merit looks between us while Bryony nods happily.
“I’m not dropping this,” Merit says, lifting her chin. “But obviously we don't want to be rude, so I’ll leave it alone for a minute, but if we can break the story first, we want to.”
This isn’t breaking news! I want to shout. And Pine Gulch doesn’t need a damn gossip newspaper. We don’t even have a regular newspaper. But I guess that’s all the two old biddies have to do with their time.
Merit points between us. “No idea why you’re hiding this, but we can respect it. When you decide to go public, I’d like an interview about how it all got started. Inquiring minds want to know!”
I snort, but Hadrian just grabs the photo and shoves it in his pocket.
“Interview granted. I’ll reach out when I’m ready to talk. Sound good?”
Bryony claps and flutters her wings. “Of course, Hadrian, that would be absolutely lovely! More than reasonable. Thank you!” She grabs her sister by the shoulders and spins her toward the door. “We’re going now. Enjoy your evening!”
No sooner have they opened the door than my brothers pile through it, mead glasses in hand. Jasper’s level-three prep book is tucked under one arm. He groans at seeing us at the checkout counter.
“Alk, dude, you promised me dinner, and I’m wasting away. All of this studying is eating up my brain cells. Betty’s is doing a burger competition, so let’s go down there. Free samples!” He waggles his brows at us both. “Bloob where’d you get to anyways? Did you just come here to work?”
Hadrian looks at me and ignores my brother. “Come with? You’ve got to eat too.”
“Free samples,” Jasper reminds me with a ferocious grin. “You know you love free samples, girl.”
I smile at the crew. “Let me just lock up.”
We walk together down to Betty’s Burger Bar. Tents set up on the sidewalk are full of monsters grilling burgers. Even with my human sense of smell, I can pick out a handful of scents—onions, smoked gouda, pickled jalapenos. I wonder what it’s like for Hadrian?
Jasper yanks the door open and holds it for us. Inside, Betty’s is packed from wall to wall, but Betty herself drags us to a table in the back with Hadrian’s name on it.
“Good thing you called ahead of time, Alk,” Betty says with a smile.
“Thank fuuuuck,” Jasper moans. “I couldn’t have waited in that line.”
Hadrian claps my brother on the shoulder. “I know, dude. I thought ahead.”
And just like that, I’m definitely falling for the big gargoyle.
Scratch that. I’ve fallen, completely fallen.
Hadrian’s always been like this—always planned ahead, seen every angle, noticed every-fucking-thing.
But the way he cares for everyone in his life is maybe the thing I love most about him.
Despite having such a huge family, it seems like I’m the one who ends up doing most of the Tucker caretaking and I don’t love that.
It’s hard for me to force myself not to stare at him as we slide onto the bench seats and pick up our menus.
Dinner’s a loud affair with the building herself tossing drunkards out the front door if they get too rowdy about the competition.
I down two entire burgers before my hunger is sated…
it’s impossible to choose with so many good options.
The macaroni-filled burger was a surprise winner, but, hot damn, it was fucking good.
Eventually, my to-do list starts burning a hole in my pocket, so I take it out to have a quick look.
Hadrian stares at me while the Jays joke about the shit that’s always reliably in my pockets.
The guys decide to stay for a beer when I beg leave of them to finish my stuff.
I’m sure Hadrian would come with me if it wouldn’t seem suspicious.
On my way out the door, a young female gargoyle stops me. She’s maybe nine or ten years old. Bright amethyst eyes flash as she shoots me a friendly smile. “Excuse me, hi! Is that gargoyle over there Hadrian Alkazar, the skyball player?”
I grin. I suppose I should get used to this. He’s still a celebrity even though he’s just my Hadrian.
Mine.
“Yeah,” I say with a big smile. “That’s him.”
“Great!” she chirps expressively, eyes wrinkling in the corners. That smile is so stinking cute. “I’m gonna go say hi!”
“Alright.” I turn with a chuckle, watching her pick her way across the restaurant toward Hadrian and my brothers. She taps him on the arm, and he looks up, face breaking into a genuine smile. He’s so good with the fans.
And he says he’s mine. Am I really that lucky?