Page 67 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

Except… he’s not.

He looks fine. Yes, he looks scared and confused… but not at me? He’s not looking at me with fear. This may just be my delusional brain playing tricks on me, but I could have sworn I see a bit of concern aiming toward me.

Before I can speak, the door flies open, and I quickly grab Rurik, shoving him behind me. The dagger I used to take down Charlie is now poised toward whoever the fuck is here to threaten me and my angel.

The moment Nat steps in, I feel myself relax.

“You scared us!” I snap as she looks up at us with surprise.

Her eyes grow when she sees Rurik behind me. “Um…” She turns to me, her brows raised.

“It’s okay,” I tell her before turning to Rurik. “Right? You’re not going to say anything?”

“I fucking hope not!” Nat groans, “Fuck, this is bad, Briar. What if he narks —”

“I won’t do that,” Rurik interrupts her.

I am taken aback by how calm and composed he sounds. A twinge of concern nags at me—shouldn't he be freaking the fuck out by now?

But he remains focused on me, his eyes never wavering. He doesn't even acknowledge Nat's presence with a glance. Should I feel fucking ecstatic that this is the longest he’s looked at me without yelling?

I glance at Nat. She stares between me and Rurik before sighing heavily. “Okay, Rurik. Thanks. You’re the real MVP.”

He just swallows hard, and like the greedy little bitch that I am, I zero in on that Adam’s apple. Ugh, Jesus. I need to control myself when it comes to him. Will he yell at me again if I have another taste? I lick my lips, and Nat pokes me on the side.

“Ow!” I snap, glaring at her.

“Briar!” Nat hisses. “We have to go!”

I blink in confusion. “What? What do you mean?”

“Someone heard Charlie screaming and called the police,” she says, her eyes widening with nerves. “Oscar is trying his hardest to hold them off, but they will be here soon!”

“Fuck!” I groan, shaking my head and glancing at Charlie. “Fuck,” I repeat. I let out a heavy breath and turn to Rurik, who is still staring at me the whole time. “You’re going to be okay, Rurik.”

He finally blinks, his eyes widening as they dart over my face. “What?”

Nat is saying something, pulling my arm, but I focus on him. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t tell them anything.” Please don’t nark on me and Nat. Please don’t betray me. Please don’t fuck us up. Please trust me. But I don’t have time to tell him all that, so I just repeat, “Please.”

Before Rurik can say anything, I am being pulled away from the office and follow Nat out of the back exit, leaving Rurik with a dead body.

Chapter 11

Rurik

I wish Today had given me a heads-up that it would be the day I'd find myself entangled in a crime scene.

When I was a child, I always dreamed of being a superhero. I dressed up as Spider-Man every Halloween, running around pretending to gather all the bad guys to protect the neighborhood from criminals.

Apparently, adult me did not share the same dream.

As soon as Briar escaped, it's like what happened during the last ten minutes finally slammed into me. I felt my shoulders drop, and my heart starts to beat abnormally again.

Shit, shit, shit!

I stumble back until I nearly trip over an office chair that has fallen over. I throw my hands out to balance myself before massaging my chest in circles.

It’s then I notice the body lying in a puddle of blood in the middle of the room.

---