Page 70 of The Darkest Chase

My eyes widen.

I don’t know if I want to giggle or hide.

He thinks I’m pretty? He’s not just teasing? I—

No, stop it.

I’m not feeling that pretty today, I counter. I want to be as unpretty as possible. This outfit is defensive.

Micah: Uh-huh. You’ll need more than that to look ugly, Shortcake.

God.

This man is trying to kill me.

My heart beats faster.

I step back, letting a mom with a stroller move past, stepping under the overhang of the bagel shop and leaning against the wall. I watch him as I try to figure out what to say back.

This feels almost like a strange secret, the two of us pretending we don’t see each other while the whole world looks on.

But just as I’m trying to figure out what to say, he texts again.

Micah: Are you heading up to see him?

I don’t like the way he phrases it.

I mean, I’m not going to see Xavier specifically. He’s the last person alive I care to see.

I’m going for work, for my Grandpa’s sake, for Micah’s little mission.

I’m showing some sketches. I nibble at my lower lip. After the way he acted last time…

Micah: Got it. You don’t want to give him a chance to sexualize you.

It’s nice that he understands.

He just gets it without needing to be told.

I nod, glancing up at him with a small smile. He cocks his head curiously, studying me, then texts again.

Micah: I’m going to send you a link to an app. Would you install it for me, then set me as your emergency contact?

What app?

Micah: It’s an emergency alert. Instead of having to call or type in a number, you tap the button and it alerts your emergency contact if you’re in trouble. It’s faster and more discreet. A second text follows immediately. If he makes you feel unsafe, if you feel threatened or like you can’t leave voluntarily, hit the button. I’ll come.

I swallow roughly.

Part of me still can’t believe Xavier Arrendell is so dangerous that something like that seems necessary. He’s been creepy, for sure, but not overly threatening.

Not yet.

The rest of me feels completely dumbstruck that Micah would go to those lengths, when that’s a little more personal than a police officer responding to an emergency call as part of his duty.

I don’t feel like I’m worth that.

Mousy little me.