Page 89 of As the World Falls

He laughs. “That’s quite alright. I’m Chuck Fireux. It’s nice to meet you.”

My face scrunches as I look at him once more. “Why do I feel like I’ve heard that name before?”

He smiles wide. “I’m the mayor of New York.”

“Oh…” I draw out. Oh…that’s not good. Isn’t this the one that’s working with Hodge and the man whose house my brother and I camped outside of to get the ledger back? This could not be a coincidence… but maybe it was. I don’t know, but now I was freaking out.

“What brings you to Boston?” I ask casually.Play it cool, Cecilia.

“I was in the neighborhood visiting some relatives. I’m spending the day with my niece tomorrow, and she’s a big fan of the Rainbow Unicorn series. Do you carry it?”

I sigh in relief. He seemed genuine. Maybe God was just playing a very, very cruel trick on me for not minding my business all this time. One could only hope.

“Yes, we do, actually. It’s a popular one with the kids.”

He smiles, and so far, he feels relatively harmless. Another good sign. “Great. I’ll have to check it out to keep her somewhat occupied. I’m not exactly great with kids.”

I chuckle, leading him to the register to make him a library card and check out his book. “You should bring your niece by sometime for kids story time. We do the rainbow unicorn series all the time.”

He smiles at me. “What would you say to me coming back to ask you out for a coffee? Maybe even dinner?”

My heart rate picks up, and I get that sinking feeling I hate in my stomach. “Oh…uhm…I’m sorry, but I’m not…”

He chuckles. “It’s okay. I figured a woman as beautiful as you would be taken already.” I smile politely at him, not knowing what to say. I wasn’t taken, but at the same time…all I could suddenly think about was how James would react if I went on a date with someone. Would he be jealous? Something tells me he would be, making dating anyone less interesting. I wasn’t taken by James by any means, but…I felt like I was his—just a little bit.

“Thanks again,” Chuck says, walking toward the door to leave.

“Have a nice day,” I call out. Once he’s gone, I shrink behind my desk, where I hide for the rest of the day.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

James

I hadn’t heard a single word from Cecilia since I last left her three days ago. Not that I expected to. She would ignore this thing brewing between us until we were ready to explode. I was almost at that point myself.

I wanted to reach out to her but didn’t know what to say because she was right. We come from two completely different worlds, which would probably never work. But it doesn’t make me stop wanting her in my world any less. In fact, I want her to take over my world and make it entirely hers. I didn’t realize I wasn’t living in mine until she came along and gave it life. Now, I couldn’t let her leave.

I just needed to figure out a way to go about it.

My intercom from my secretary goes off, and I hit the button to answer it. “Mr. Kingston, Mayor Fireux is in the lobby to see you.”

Fucking hell. “Let me guess. This wasn’t on the schedule either?”

“No, sir,” my secretary answers.

“Send him in.” I stood from my seat and walked around the front of my desk, leaning into it. I wasn’t in the mood for games today, and I wasn’t feeling particularly friendly.

My door opens, and Chuck walks inside, his expression as smug as ever. “James,” he greets me with a goading grin.

“Chuck. To what do I owe the displeasure?”

His grin drops to an instant scowl. He walks further inside, falling into the seat in front of me. “I think you want to take a nicer tone with me today, James.”

I huff a laugh. “Why’s that?”

He tips his head up, looking up like he’s in deep thought. “I took a little day trip yesterday.” He pulls a card out of his pocket inside his suit and holds it out to me. I look down at it momentarily, then take it from his hands to read it. It only takes me a second to read Stone Corridor, and I’m lunging for him, the collar of his shirt gripped tightly in my fists as I bare my teeth inches from his face.

“If you fucking ever touch her,” My voice comes out beast-like, unlike I’ve ever heard before. It was deep and filled with vengeance.

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