Page 201 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

I try not to show the super giddiness on my face as I grin. “Perfect!”

Rurik nods again and clears his throat. “So, you guys are just hanging out?”

“Yeah.”

“Nothing… work-related?”

“You mean the gallery?” I tease him.

Rurik glares.”You know what I mean.”

I roll my eyes. “No. Nothing work-related.”

Yeah, so the situation regarding me working on trying to bring down his stepdad is still a super touchy subject. Ever since that day, he caught us nearly killing Philip, he’s become a bit distant toward both Nat and Oscar and yet more clingy and protective over me.

It’s so weird.

But whatever, I’ll never complain if it means getting his attention.

We avoid talking about my work and his stepdad. He still doesn’t know the reason why I want to kill Philip, though. He thinks I’m doing this for the fuck of it — which still pisses me off that he thinks I’m that violent.

I mean, I am violent. But that’s not the fucking point.

I don’t even know why I just don’t tell him. Like, who am I even protecting by not telling Rurik the truth? However, I have this intense fear that Rurik won’t believe me.

Rurik kept assuring me that he chose me—I’m his number one choice. Call it vulnerability or trust issues, but I can’t help but think he might end up siding with his stepdad. He said he owed Philip his life—apparently, he saved his life. All I’ve done was turn his world upside down, I think.

My angel wouldn’t be who he is if he turned the other way to let three bad guys, such as us, slaughter the man he views as his hero.

I fucking fear for that day to come. Because it has to, eventually.

Philip Greene has an expiration date, and even Rurik can’t delay that.

*-*-*-*

So, Rurik isn’t going to show up.

He texted me, saying he had some errands tonight and promised his mom he would spend more time with her and his cousins. They’re going out tonight, and he doesn’t know when they’ll be back, and he doesn’t want to make it suspicious if he leaves early.

I texted him it was fine and to have fun.

And I mean it. I want him to have fun with his family.

But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t sulking throughout the day while waiting for Nat and Oscar to come over.

So what if his cousins are only here for a couple more days?

Jesus. I need to chill out.

My phone suddenly vibrates, and my heart jumps at the name. Holy shit, I seriously need to chill out if I get excited just by seeing Rurik’s name on the screen.

RURIK MY ANGEL:

-When are Natalie and Oscar coming?

ME:

-Should be here in a few minutes! How’s the fam bam?

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