Page 29 of His Innocent Muse

Because what else would I do but be even more disrespectful of Ghost’s space?

“I, um… I really do need to get home.”

“I’ll walk you out,” he says, placing my hand on the inside of his arm and escorting me toward the exit. I don’t have the energy in my heart to tell him no. “And where is home?”

I sniff, pursing my lips, and a smile graces his features. He’s quite attractive, I suppose. Maybe that’s another reason I want to hide behind Ghost. This, somehow, feels like I’m doing something wrong. Like Ghost wouldn’t want me talking to him.

Which is stupid, because Ghost just doesn’t want me. Full stop. He wouldn’t even care. And that hurts worse.

“Forgive me,” Roman laughs, almost nervous, “that…was incredibly rude. Do you live nearby?”

I give him a small smile in return, making the muscles work when all I want to do is cry. He really is just a sweet man who clearly thinks I’m older than I am, and far more sophisticated, and worthy of his time. It’s not his fault I’m none of those things.

“No,” I whisper. “Out of the city.”

“Pity again,” he says. “Luckily, I have many forms of transportation. Is this yours?”

He gestures to a car that costs the same as a small country home, and I bust out laughing. I clamp my hand over my mouth, shaking my head. “Oh, gosh, no. No way. I-I don’t have a car, I’m just walking.”

The charmed expression falls in an instant. “Walking? Out of New York City?”

Oops.

“I, um–I might grab a bus.”

“Nonsense.” Roman shakes his head, pulling out his phone. “There are far too many vile creatures walking at night to let an angel roam amongst them.”

“Wait!” I grab his hand before he can dial anyone, begging him with my eyes to listen. To please, please just listen. “I-I don’t want to bother Ghost with any of this. H-He’s…”

Roman’s shock is palpable, and dare I say, he looks relieved.

“He’s busy,” I whisper.

He shakes his head, a small, almost cold smile forming on his lips. “Ghost won’t hear a word of this.”

I swallow my surprise, giving a small nod. He shoots off a text, and within the same moment, an older man files out. He’s bulky and angry, with a scraggly beard and deep set blue eyes.

“Norman,” Roman says, “this is Lucinda Parker. Get the Tesla and assure she makes it home safely.”

“Oh,” I say, “no, sir, I couldn’t–”

“I insist,” he smiles, “or I will be forced to take you home myself.”

I give Norman a once-over, weighing the pros and cons of this. Under normal circumstances, I would never get in the car with a complete stranger, and especially not one who looks like he was forced to eat a dirty sock.

But this is so far past the realm of normal, I don’t even know what to make of it anymore. And what’s the worst that could happen?

I go with him. He gets handsy. I could die.

I walk home alone. Someone takes me. Someone hits me with their car. I could die.

Worst-case scenario in every possible outcome this has, is death. It was the worst-case scenario when I ran after Ghost, when I got into his car. I never thought he’d hurt me, and he didn’t. Not… Not physically, anyway.

Regardless. I can’t stay here, can’t make him keep me if he doesn’t want to. And, at least, in the car with this Norman guy, it might be faster. Chances are they won’t kill me if they think I know Ghost, anyway.

“Okay,” I whisper, nodding up at Roman. Norman doesn’t even wait for directions before he books it to get the car. “But you don’t have to do this. I can’t… I can’t repay you.”

“If you get home safely, there’s a far better chance I’ll see you again,” he says with a smirk and a wink. “That’s repayment enough, Lucinda.”

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