Chapter 21
Sadie
The figure is just a shadow at first, tucked between two suits of armor where the moonlight doesn’t quite reach, roughly ten yards away.
I blink, and it’s still in the reflection. The person is definitely watching me.
Holding my breath, I will myself not to turn around.
Do they realize I’ve spotted them?
Should I run, or scream? Is it Lucan, following me from the gala to apologize for being an arrogant jerk?
But no, it can’t be him. He’s taller and broader than the person skulking in the dark. And besides, he would never apologize for being an arrogant jerk.
Knowing it must be the killer, icy fear weaves around my vertebrae like snakes.
My breathing resumes, shallow and tight. I need to cobble together an escape plan, but the stun gun in my bag is several feet away. Lunging for it will take valuable seconds, giving him the chance to strike.
I have to try though, because otherwise I’m his latest victim.
A grandfather clock tolls somewhere in the museum, the low gongs reverberating through the halls. As though the sound breaks a spell, the man and I move at the same time.
Within two strides, I snatch up my bag, but before I can open the fiddly little clasp, he crosses the short distance to me.
Not having a plan B, I invent one on the spot. I hurl the bag at the man’s covered face, making him duck.
Skidding in my high heels, I dash for the soldier statue, lay both hands on its spear, and pull.
The medieval weapon is heavier than I expect. Panting with terror, but also determination, I turn on the spot fast, slicing the spear through the air. In the cramped space, I can’t line up the blade to stab him, but the rear end of the spear hits him square in the ribs.
His hooded head snaps forward with a pained grunt. If I had the stun gun, this would be the perfect time to zap him.
He recovers quickly, trying to wrench the spear from my hands. I immediately realize I’ll lose the tug-of-war. He’s way stronger than me.
Abandoning the weapon, I run from the gallery into the corridor. The spear clatters to the floor and boots pound after me.
With a clear hallway, I sprint like my life depends on it, because it does. Adrenaline sings in my blood and I barely slow down around corners in my desperation to get away. My dress whips behind me like a flag, my heels a frantic staccato on the stone floor.
When I hear music and laughter, I know I have a chance. There are security guards back at the gala and my friends and—
“Lucan.”
It’s the only word from my mouth as I round a bend too fast and almost slam right into him. His firm hands catch my arms.
Safe, is all I can think, almost dizzy with relief. I’m safe.
“Hey, why are you run—” His voice cuts off when he sees the fear in my eyes. Realization darkens his features. “Where is he?”
I point behind me. “The medieval exhibit. He—”
Lucan’s already running in that direction. “Get to the security guards, Sadie. Now.”
Heaving for breath, I continue toward the gala.
Lucan must send out an alert, because security people in black suits and earpieces pour down the corridor. Despite the dim light, many wear sunglasses. They spread out, searching and securing each room they pass. Everyone seems so cool and collected, except me.
A woman with a no-nonsense blonde ponytail and pale blue gaze beckons to me. “Miss Marlowe, if you’ll come with me.”
It feels strange that she knows my name. I’ve never seen her before, yet apparently she’s been briefed on me.
My veins still fizzing with stress, I let her usher me to a side room. Two guards stand by the door, constantly scanning the corridor.
The woman speaks into a radio. “Target secured.”
Me. I’m the target.
“The medieval exhibit room,” I say, trying to be helpful. “That’s where I was attacked. Lucan went there.”
The woman nods. “Understood.”
My breathing finally returns to normal, leaving me lightheaded yet feeling wired.
“Do you work for the Heritage Foundation?” I ask the blonde agent.
“No. A private security firm, employed by the Hale family. We brought in reinforcements for tonight’s event. You’re in good hands, Miss Marlowe. Most of us are former Secret Service.”
“Secret Service? Wow. You protected presidents?”
Her eyes rove ceaselessly, as if analyzing every square inch of our surroundings. “Correct, and every president I protected lived to tell the tale. Mr. Hale will be fine. You’ll have your boyfriend back in one piece.”
“Lucan’s not my boyfriend.”
The agent is utterly unfazed. “Okay.”
I pause for a few beats. “Did he say something to make you believe I’m his girlfriend?”
Her gaze flicks to me. “He said you’re the prime asset.”
“Asset? Like a car or a boat?”
Damn, this is what I get for prying. He’s treating me like he owns me, as usual.
Lucan’s deep voice floats up the corridor. I go to the door to see agents gathering to meet him. When his eyes land on me in the doorway, he changes course and strides over.
“Sadie. He’s gone.” He passes my beaded bag to me, his gaze bitter with disappointment. “Nothing was amiss in the gallery except a spear and your bag.”
“Yeah,” I say. “I tried to stab him with it. The spear, I mean.”
“Are you hurt?” he asks.
“I’m fine. Honestly.”
A ragged breath leaves his lungs. “You could’ve been killed, Sadie. Why would you run off like that on your own?”
“The party was full of security! I thought it was safe.”
“Yes, the party has security. Not a dark gallery away from everyone. You should’ve stayed in the hall.”
“No argument there,” I say.
How could I forget a killer is after me? I became complacent, and probably because Lucan’s protective measures had been working so well. Ten minutes ago, I told him to do less, but maybe he was doing exactly the right amount.
“I’m glad you’re not arguing,” says Lucan. “Because I’m taking you with me now. You’re not leaving my sight.”
When I open my mouth to protest, he shakes his head in warning. “No arguments, remember?”
“You’re incredibly toxic, you know that?”
He shrugs. “I call it caring deeply. We can discuss it once you’re locked in my penthouse.”
While he exchanges notes with the agents, I’m left momentarily dazed. By his audacity, but also because he implied he cares deeply about me in front of all these people. He said it like an obvious and natural fact.
The blonde agent appears next to me.
“Asset is a term we use for a person under our protection. Someone precious.” She winks. “Nobody’s ever hired me to protect a boat.”
The iron bars around my heart loosen their grip ever-so-slightly.
It never crossed my mind that I might be precious to another person. Especially to Lucan, who has seemed largely heartless from the moment I met him. I even considered him soulless, but now I’m not so sure.
What actually lies beneath his cold, hard exterior? A beating red heart? Endless, rotting darkness? I’ve only seen rare glimpses, like when he was lost in the aftermath of orgasm on the tower roof, hands in my hair and blue eyes blazing.
“Let’s go, Sadie,” he says when he’s finished with the agents. “I’m taking you to my home. You’ll be safe there. It’ll be just you and me.”
Maybe it’s my fear of the killer, or maybe it’s my curiosity about Lucan, but I swallow my pride and do as he says.