Page 27 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

Nat makes an impatient sound after she slams the gun handle against the back of her guy’s head.

“Besides being the stepson of the senator who’s been trying to shoot down Dad’s work? He’s too much of a good boy for you.” She lifts her finger as she starts listing, “He donates to charity, the type of person that would help an old lady cross the street, keeps in touch with his family and friends in Scotland, and volunteers this weekend to hand out food to the homeless. According to Oscar, Rurik lives and breathes helping others.”

Aww, so he is an angel!

My guy keeps squirming underneath me, and it’s really fucking annoying and distracting. Can't he see that my bestie and I are trying to converse about Rurik? I press my fingers against the nerves on his neck, causing him to stop and pass out.

I pause. Shit.

I should double-check to make sure he is unconscious and not dead. That would suck for him. I drift my finger to his pulse and wait.

Oh, yup! He's still alive. The last time Nat did this, unfortunately — or fortunately for us — the person died.

R.I.P.

Nat places all her weight on the man's lower back and calls her dad.

“We got them!” She chirps as soon as he answers.

“That's great, little one.” Mr. Rogers praises. “What did they want from your cousin?”

She makes a face, “Oh, we didn't ask, Dad. They were trying to run away, so we tied them up.”

“I don't hear them yelling in the background.”

“That's because they're sleeping.” Nat sighs, “Can someone grab them for us, please? I told Oscar I would see him this afternoon.”

“I called Oscar to meet you guys. He should be there soon to pick up those men.”

Right on cue, the light beams from Oscar's precious black impala flashes at us. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at the moving antique.

“He's here! Thanks, Dad, I love you!” Before her dad could respond, she hangs up.

As soon as Oscar helped us drag the men inside the trunk of her car, I’m greeted with the sickening sight of Oscar and Nat sucking each other's faces.

Rolling my eyes, I pull my phone out and scroll Rurik's page. I pause at a picture of him smiling brightly at the camera with his arm around a guy about his age.

I sigh heavily. “I can't take this. He's just so cute, Nat.”

Oscar and Nat finally pull away from each other.

“Who's cute?” Oscar asks, his lips swollen.

“I’m going to say this as your best friend,” Nat says, “Let the poor man go, Briar. He's too innocent. He's good. He won’t be able to handle you, and you’ll destroy him.”

I pause and glance at her. “Or he’ll destroy me.”

She laughs, “I mean, true. With what we witnessed during his showcase, he might be the one to tame the almighty Briar Reyes.”

“Wait,” Oscar frowns, “Are you talking about Rurik Campbell?”

“He's become her new obsession,” Nat explains.

I scowl.

Oscar bites his bottom lip, looking pained for some reason.

“Oh, Briar.” He sighs and shakes his head, looking apologetic.

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