Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
I go home exhausted. The next morning, right before I leave for his house, I get a call from a restricted number.
When I pick up, it’s Gage, saying we have another case to prep for and asking to meet at the library today.
I’m slightly disappointed I won’t get to see Buddy, but I tell myself it doesn’t matter.
This is a job, and I’m just there to get paid.
I’ve never been to the library, but once I get there, it’s nice inside. It’s an old brick building, and the inside is warm and inviting and smells like books. Immediately, I feel comfortable.
There’s a big ‘no phones’ sign as I go further in. I find Gage in one of the private rooms near the back, with papers strewn across the table. His hair looks messed up like he’s already run his fingers through it.
“What’s the case?” I put my purse down and slide in across from him. I packed a small lunch of rice today, if only to keep Gage off my ass.
“Don’t know much. Some divorce case, I think. I’ll need you to read the reports for me.”
I frown. Tomorrow is the trial for the big case we’ve been working on, but who knows how lawyers do things. I sit down to get started.
“Oh, turn your phone off. They get pissy about that in here.”
I shut it down and then get started with the reports. They’re confusing, and this case seems much more complex than the last, with all kinds of different people. As I read, Gage glares up at me, and I can feel it smoldering across my face.
Finally, I put the papers down. “Are you okay?” I thought we made some progress yesterday, being able to work without fighting. Clearly not.
There’s a tiny spark in Gage’s eye, then he goes back to his normal look. “No problem.”
“Right. And I’m the Queen of England.” I wave at the papers.
Gage snorts. “Far from it.”
The way he says it makes it sound like he thinks I’m worse than the gum on the bottom of his shoe. I narrow my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I mean, she’s polite and doesn’t carry weapons around to hurt people with.”
“Not people. Only men.” I smile at him. Gage’s eyes seem to track the movement on my face, and he grins back.
The look makes me consider grabbing the knife that’s sitting in my purse just to remind him that I have years’ worth of anger that would love to turn him into a pincushion.
“I don’t think you would.” He’s sorting the papers.
I arch an eyebrow. “What?”
“Hurt me.” Gage leans in, putting his arms on the table and getting so close I smell mint on his breath. “I think you’re too scared.”
My heart races, and I realize again just how big of a person he is and how secluded we are. He didn’t seem this threatening yesterday.
“Wanna bet?” I hiss, ready to fight again. I’m always ready to fight. It’s fucking exhausting.
“Scared little Raven, always so angry.” Gage tilts his head. “Want to know what I think? I think you’re running from something.”
The way he looks at me is all-knowing. Like he looked into me and knew everything about me. Fear hits my body in a rush of adrenaline. He can tell? No, surely he has no idea.
I shove up from the table, legs shaking. Gage also stands, rounding the table toward me.
I grab my knife, fumbling to get the blade open, and then Gage is right there.
“What is your problem?” I jerk the knife up so it’s sitting on his chest. He stops, and I know he feels it because it’s cut through his button-up shirt. “Get off me.”
Gage stiffens for a second, glancing down. Then, he smiles, raising his hands to show me they’re not touching me. “Jumpy, aren’t you?”
“You came up on me!” The adrenaline is coursing through me, and I want to scream and fight.
“You looked like you were having a panic attack. I came to help.” Another grin. He doesn’t seem the least bit concerned that I have a knife to his chest.
“Back off.” I shove, earning a hiss from him when the knife meets his resistance. He doesn’t move.
Something isn’t right.
I stare up at him, watching every movement. “Why the new case all of a sudden?”
Gage just smirks. “Don’t change the subject. You’re running from something, Raven. And I want to know what.”
“What did we talk about yesterday?” My body is shaking.
Gage leans his head closer to me, then pulls in a deep breath. “You know, it’s a shame I can’t see you right now. I’m sure you look so pretty with those lips trembling and tears in your eyes.”
“Axel,” I breathe.
He grins. “Hey, little bird.”
Confusion rocks my world for a second. Then, I register the mint and the slightly manic glint in Axel’s eyes. The confusion morphs into rage. How fucking dare he?
I try to shove at him again, and all I feel is warmth on my pinky. Warmth? No, liquid.
Blood.
“Back off!” The panic is a mix between him not letting me go and me cutting him. There isn’t a ton of blood, but it’s enough to coat my pinky.
“Why?”
“Because!” It’s all I can get out. I’m so afraid, and I fucking hate it. I hate being afraid. And I’m scared of what it’ll make me do. “I’ll hurt you.”
“Yeah, no shit.” Axel’s laugh is gravelly.
My back is pinned to the wall, and there isn’t enough space to get around him without getting closer to him.
“Help!”
“Tell me what you’re running from, and I’ll let you go.”
I peer around Axel. No one is coming. The library is empty.
“Why?”
“Because I’m curious, that’s why.” Axel puts his hands on the wall beside me, caging me in further.
Suddenly, I can’t breathe. He doesn’t care that I have a knife.
My hand shakes.
“I’m curious why you come into town, limping around, trying to blend in like you belong here.
” His breath puffs across my face. “I’m curious why you act like you’re so much better than everyone else.
” His lips are so close that they brush my forehead.
“And I’m curious why you put men in bathroom stalls and make them beg? ”
All cohesive thoughts leave my head. All I can think about is the last thing he asked, and a bitter laugh escapes me. “Why?” I sputter. “Can't imagine that there’s a woman who doesn’t fall at your feet and worship you?”
Axel laughs, the sound gentle and restrained. “Are you afraid I’m going to hurt you, little bird?”
“I’d kill you first,” I hiss, shoving at the knife to emphasize the control I have.
“Ah, the bird has claws.” He licks his lips. “I wouldn’t hurt you unless you begged for it.”
“Right.” I laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “Like I begged for you to take my job.”
“I offered it back.” He’s so close that I feel his body heat. The copper from the blood is so strong I can almost taste it.
Before I can stop him, Axel darts his hand down, grabbing the wrist that has the knife. I startle, trying to pull away.
“Shhhh.” He pulls my hand and the blade up to his face, pulling in a deep breath. His nostrils flare, then he sticks his tongue out, licking the blood off the blade.
“Axel,” I breathe, staring at him, and I stop moving. He could cut his tongue off.
Axel groans, the arm still braced on the wall, shaking.
Then, he pulls away from me. “You and I could have a lot of fun together. Much more fun than my brother.” He lets go of my hand. “I’ll figure you out, Celeste. Whether you want me to or not.”
Then he turns and strides out of the room.