Chapter nine
639 Words
The hospital cafeteria is exactly where hope goes to die and be replaced by lukewarm tater tots. I am currently standing in line, clutching a tray and staring blankly at a row of suspicious-looking sandwiches, when I feel a presence behind me. A presence that doesn't smell like Silas’s rain-soaked cedar or Cassian’s metallic tobacco.
This scent is familiar. It smells like expensive surf wax and that specific lime-scented cologne that used to drive me crazy in college.
"Ivy? Ivy Vance? Is that actually you?"
I freeze. I know that voice. I slowly turn around and find myself face-to-face with Julian Thorne. Julian was my "almost" boyfriend during my junior year—the guy who was golden-skinned, played varsity soccer, and was so nice it actually became annoying. He was the distraction I used to try and forget about Silas.
"Julian?" I blink, taking in his perfectly coiffed blonde hair and the scrub top that fits his gym-honed chest just a little too well. "What are you doing here? Since when are you a nurse?"
"Physician’s assistant, actually," he says, giving me that dazzling, toothy grin that once made me think I was over my Silas-fixation. Spoiler alert: I wasn't. "I’m doing my rotation here. I saw the name 'Arthur Vance' on the chart and I was hoping I’d run into you. I am so sorry about your dad, Ivy."
"Thanks, Julian. He’s... he’s awake. I’m just getting him some food."
Julian steps closer, his hand reaching out to squeeze my arm in a way that is perfectly friendly but feels like a felony compared to Silas’s possessive grip. "You look tired, Ivy. And... is that a man’s cashmere sweater? It’s huge on you."
"It’s a... fashion statement," I say, pulling the collar up. "Very avant-garde."
"Right." Julian chuckles, his blue eyes searching mine. "Listen, I get off shift in twenty minutes. Why don't you let me take you to that little Italian place down the street? You need a real meal and someone to talk to who isn't a hospital wall."
Before I can answer, the air in the cafeteria suddenly drops about twenty degrees. The hair on my arms stands up. I don't even have to turn around to know that the Alpha has entered the building.
"She already has someone to talk to," a low, dangerous rumble vibrates through my back.
I turn to see Silas standing there. He looks like a storm cloud in a bespoke suit. His eyes are fixed on Julian’s hand, which is still resting on my arm. If Silas’s gaze were a laser, Julian’s bicep would be a pile of ash right now.
"Silas," I say, my voice a squeak. "You’re... you’re supposed to be with my dad."
"The doctors are doing a check-up," Silas says, his voice sounding like two tectonic plates grinding together. He steps between me and Julian, effectively shielding me with his massive frame. "And who is this?"
"I’m Julian," Julian says, standing his ground, which is actually kind of brave considering he’s facing a man who looks like he eats Physician’s Assistants for breakfast. "I’m a friend of Ivy’s from school."
"A friend," Silas repeats. The word sounds like a curse in his mouth. He looks Julian up and down, his nostrils flaring as he catches Julian’s scent on me. "Well, Julian. Ivy is busy. She’s under my care."
"Under your care?" Julian frowns, looking confused. "Ivy, I thought you said he was your dad’s business partner?"
"He is!" I interject, stepping out from behind Silas’s shoulder. "He’s also my... temporary guardian. Because of the accident."
"Right. Guardian." Julian looks at Silas’s hand, which has settled firmly on the small of my back, pulling me flush against his side. The possessiveness is so blatant it’s embarrassing. "You look pretty young to be a guardian, Mr. Vane."
- Writer
