Page 5 of His to Keep

Chapter Three

The sound of the final school bell erupts throughout the building, and I sense everyone around me sigh with relief. Gathering my books from my desk, I barely hear the teacher’s strict comments about homework as I rush out of the classroom, knowing I need to get home and help Gran with dinner.

Weaving through the students gathering outside, I’m about to jog down the street when someone calls my name. Turning, I spot Adam trying to catch up with me.

“You move fast,” he says. “You ran out of class before I had a chance to ask if you’d like to walk home together?”

Just as I’m about to tell him sure, an engine growling has me glancing sharply over my shoulder. The same black car from yesterday sits next to us on the sidewalk, the haunting shade of ebony unforgettable. My heart thuds when the window lowers, and at first, I struggle to register the familiar thin face, sculpted lips, and piercing gaze I know lurks behind sunglasses. But I’ll never forget a voice likehis.

“Afternoon, Ava,” Father Aaron greets in a way that sends a cold chill down my spine. “I’m here to collect you.”Collect me?Seeing the confusion on my face, he smiles. “Did your grandmother not tell you that I’ve invited you both to my house for dinner tonight? She’s there now and sent me to fetch you.” I peek a glance at Adam, a frown appearing behind his curls. He thinks this is weird, and I don’t blame him. Gran and her friends often have dinner with Father Aaron. He’s the only man Gran trusts to enter her home. But she never told me we were going to his house for dinner this evening, and as if reading my mind, he adds, “She wanted to discuss the finer points of the sermon on Sunday. Get in. She’s waiting for us.”

“Oh…I—”

“You may go, young man,” he refers to Adam, who nods uncertainly and backs away. He looks uncomfortable and I’m so embarrassed. If he didn’t think I was weird before, he does now.

“I’ll see you later.” As he moves away, I almost plead with him not to go. To not leave me alone. I don’t, and he joins his friends.Glancing back at Father Aaron, he too watches Adam go with lips pulled tautly, and I gulp.

“I’m sorry, Sir. Gran didn’t tell me.”

He nods stiffly and offers another one of his smiles that makes him look like he’s in pain. “She must have forgotten to mention it. Not to worry. Come now. Let’s not keep her waiting.”

If Gran found out I was delaying him, she wouldn’t be pleased, but the heaviness in my lungs is hard to ignore. “Are you sure it’s today, I—”

“Ava.” His voice is more profound than before, the demand clear. “We don’t want to upset her, do we?”

Of course. He’s right. Why am I questioning him?

Circling the car to the passenger’s side, Adam watches from the corner of his eye. I wish I could’ve walked home with him. Going to Father Aaron’s house is the last place I want to go.

As I pull open the door, a burst of rich cologne assaults my senses, so potent I want to slap my hand over my nose to block it out. My eyes scan the car’s interior warily, black upholstery and chrome paneling. It’s clean inside, brand new, and my throat tightens as I settle over the padded leather seat and close the door. Even though there’s no justifiable reason, I’m overcome with a fear I’ve made a terrible mistake.

There’s a soft whirring sound as the window rises, encasing us in shadow. Icy air from the AC blasts against my skin, more painful than soothing, and I’m shivering by the time the car starts moving.

“How was school?” He shatters the silence between us.

“Fine, thank you.”

“Who was that boy?” I glance at him with confusion.

“Pardon, Sir?”

“That one just now.” His knuckles turn white as he grips the wheel. “Your boyfriend?”

My eyes widen a fraction. “No, Sir. He’s not. He’s a new student.”

“Do you have one?” he continues the onslaught of questions, and I’m so uncomfortable, I want him to stop. He faces the road, eyes still hidden behind shades he doesn’t need to wear in the darkened confines of the car. Although I’m glad he has them on—I hate his eyes.

“No,” I murmur, hating that he’s asking me these things when it’s none of his business.

“It’s okay if you do, Ava.” There’s amusement in his tone now, and I don’t understand what’s so funny. “I know a lot of girls your age have boyfriends. I hear it often in confession.”

“I don’thavea boyfriend.”

He laughs. “Of course, you don’t. Girls who bask in the light of angels do not serveboys.”

My gaze drops to my lap, and he chuckles, amused by my reaction. As shivers wrack my spine, I peer out of the window apprehensively, body so tense my muscles hurt. I can’t relax, even less so when the car approaches the road that leads to my house. Gran’s car is in the driveway, and the porch light is on, her way of signaling she’s home. Did she forget to switch it off before leaving? She’s always meticulous about it. Always going on about the electricity company stealing her money.

The locks inside the car click, and a coldness settles in my stomach. “I offered to drive her over earlier. There was something wrong with her car. That’s why she didn’t collect you herself.”

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