Page 33 of Blood of the Sirens
I tugged Merrick away, crying in relief when he easily followed. I practically ran past my supervisor, only managing a quick apology and that I had to leave immediately. She blinked, but shooed me off.
My hands shook as I unlocked my bike, cursing that it wasn’t a two-seater. I whirled back to Merrick, who saw my panic and simply cupped my face, pressing his lips to my brow. “Ride your little machine. I will be next to you. I won’t leave you.”
Oh my god. If he kept that up, I was going to fall in love with him.
The ride to the docks seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. I was terrified Archie would come after us in his car or that the police would try to stop us. His uncle was a chief of the unit, and I had no faith in anyone being impartial.
But no one followed us.
Merrick had started out loping awkwardly next to me as though running was a strange task for him, but settled into a rhythm quick enough. His steadying presence by my sidecalmed my nerves and gave me something nice to look at when I could manage it.
“We’re here, Merrick.”
I put my foot down and hit the handbrakes. I eyed the large post I usually locked my bike at, concerned it would give me away if Archie came for me.
No. That was ridiculous. Archie didn’t know about my second job. Almost no one did aside from Javi, and of course, Merrick. It would be fine.
Well, except for everyone from the university who’d been on the boat that night. They all knew. Word might have already gotten around. Maybe Archie did know.
“Jesse. Calm.” Merrick stroked a finger down my cheek, and I sucked in a deep breath.
What a wonderful, delicious man. I tied my bike up in its normal spot.
Side by side, Merrick and I walked across the deck. I didn’t know why it felt so important to do, but my hand reached out, and I twined my fingers with his. Doing so gave me an immediate sense of equilibrium, and my anxiety halved. He tilted his head slightly at the gesture, but immediately gave my fingers a reassuring squeeze.
Mike poked his head up from where he was checking the knots tying the boat to the dock, giving us both a once over.
“Hmm. Didn’t think you’d actually show. Well then, let’s get to it.” Mike stubbed out his cigarette on a nearby post, and gestured for Merrick to follow him. Those aquamarine eyes held me steadily, one eye raised in question.
He was asking me if I needed him to stay with me. And I knew he’d do it, too, if I asked. Fuck Mike and all of it.
The knowledge gave me the courage to smile and shake my head. Merrick ducked his head and boarded the boat, Mike’s voice already booming out orders about rope and riggings. Ifollowed and ducked into the small office, bumping into Javi at the doorway.
“Girl! I see he came back. He must—”
“Merrick punched Archie in the face! He knocked a tooth out!”
Javi’s jaw dropped, his head dropping comically. “I ... he what?”
I pulled at the ends of my hair, frustrated.
Javi’s face, however, split into a wide grin. “Girl, what are you so pressed over? If you don’t marry him, I will.”
That got a snort from me, of course.
“And let’s not forget he’s willingly subjecting himself to being Mike’s gopher for you. If that isn’t infatuation then I don’t know what is,” Javi added.
Unease churned in my gut as a small ember of hope stoked itself. I’d gotten my hopes up on guys before, and only ever found pain and heartbreak.
“It’s not so much him I worry about. It’s Archie,” I reiterated, grabbing my apron and tying it around my waist.
Javi rolled his eyes, reflexively undoing my knot and redoing it so the bow puffed out prettily. “I think Mr. Muscles has proven he can take care of himself just fine.”
I bit my lip, unsure.
“Now, let me do your makeup, mess up your hair just so, and let’s get out there. It’s the first night of spring break, so you know what that means,” Javi fussed.
I groaned. “Baby twenty-somethings who are loud, messy, and don’t tip.”
