Page 13 of Blood and Thorns

Oh no.Please, for the love of God, don’t cry.

“You were going to leave without saying goodbye?” A sob broke out from her throat, and then the tears came as she threw herself across the short space and wrapped me in a hug.

Jesus Christ.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving us! Who else am I going to discuss who’s hotter with?”

I was pretty confident I resembled a statue in her arms, and even the awkward pat on her back felt strange. I had zero skills when it came to people crying. I was an emotional wreck, so I couldn’t mentally deal with other people’s drama when I could barely handle my own. “You have Rachael,” I offered.

“We both know she’s vapid. Like, come on, who hasn’t watchedGame of Thrones? Is she living under a rock?” Suzy sniffled. “And she choseGimlias her favourite. Gimli! ClearlyLegolashas far superior skills in making a woman come. Rachael has no taste, Ara.”

Her tears had dried while she’d grumbled, nothingremaining but a slight blotchiness to her cheeks. “You’ll be fine,” I said, trying to break free from her hold.

“What about you helping me find a date?”

I didn’t do anything except swipe a few times on an app. I literally stayed with a man who gaslit me just because I was lonely. Who was I to give dating advice?

I smiled at her. “I’ll miss you, too.”

Suzy would forget about me within a week, her attention bright but fleeting. It was probably the reason why she went through so many boyfriends.

But other than knowing my personal preference wasAragorn–because of course it fucking was–she knew very little about my personal life. That was the way I preferred it, not getting too attached to people. Just in case something were to happen, and I’d have to leave again. So I kept to myself as much as possible, instead getting lost in my books.

She perked up, sniffling her nose. “Oh, yeah, don’t forget your boyfriend’s waiting for you at the bar. Has he come to pick you up?”

“I don’t have a…” Wait, what was Gabriel doing here?

I found him leaning against the bar, a blushing Rachael beside him. I intended to walk out and not look back, but he turned at the last second and spotted me.Shit.

“Baby, there you are.” He waltzed across the space, looking out of place in his neatly pressed suit and trench coat, which was his statement detective uniform apparently. His dark hair was swept to one side, which made his eyes pop. “Are you okay? That waitress just told me you’re leaving.”

He went to pull me against him, but I quickly shook him off. He didn’t try to hug me again, but the look of concern seemed almost genuine.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, gently tugginghim towards the wall where there were a few empty tables. I could feel eyes on me, and it made me want to squirm.

“Can’t I come and see my girl?”

“I’m too tired to do this right now.”

“I spoke to Lennon.” He cupped my jaw, and all I wanted was to press myself against his palm and seek comfort. But I didn’t.

“Of course you did.” I tried to pull back, but Gabriel only pinched his fingers to stop me. What luck that Lennon was the responding officer, the one who had to take my statement all while snickering at me. It hadn’t even occurred to me that he’d tell Gabriel, not when I was so distracted with everything.

“You should’ve called me,” Gabriel chided.

“What good would that have done?”

“I work for the fucking Met,” he snapped before clearing his throat. “I have contacts, Ara. This is what I do. Now, tell me everything that’s happened. Your dad gambling again?”

My stomach recoiled with how cold he asked the question. Hours I’d spent telling Gabriel about my dad, and the demons that haunted him. He was the only person I’d opened up to, and when I thought he was listening because he cared, in reality he only listened so he could weaponise the knowledge in our fights.

I nodded, not trusting my voice for a moment even as I stepped back, putting some space between us. I needed to remind myself that Gabriel only cared about himself, even if I ached for him to care about me right now.

“Who took Morris, Ara?”

I shrugged, blowing out a frustrated breath. “I don’t know. He was really tall, built large and wore this skull mask on the bottom of his–”

“A mask?” Gabriel nodded to himself, as if confirming a suspicion. “That sounds like the Beast.”