Page 29 of Protected by the Fallen
He shrugs. “She thought nothing of it.”
I scoff. “Really? How do you know?”
“Because it is expected for me to be protective.” His smile morphs from teasing to sweet. I feel my heart thump. “Vera will never be offended by my reactions when it comes to you. Trust me.”
I nod and pull my attention away from him. “Well, my condolences to all the parents who will be disappointed to learn about me.” My joke doesn’t land as well as I thought in my head.
Adrian, fortunately, breezes right past my poor attempt. “There will be many, I assure you.”
I chuckle despite my embarrassment and look up again. “You are so vain.”
“There is a fine line between vanity and confidence.” His grin lingers. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Adrian smile so much. I decide I like this side of him. I prefer it to the broody lectures or disapproving stares whenever I do something to upset him. Which, inevitably, is pretty often. I decide to play along with the conversation.
“What about your parents? What do they think about you having a measly Nephilim as yourbashert?”
“You aren’t Nephilim,” he points out.
“But everyone thinks I am.”
He shrugs. “My mother adores you, of course.”
“HA!” I bark in disbelief. “Whatever. No, she does not.”
“Of course, she does.”
“Please,” I roll my eyes for what feels like the one-hundredth time this past week, “I’m nothing more than an excuse to reconnect with you and Zeke. Then again,” I pause and purse my lips, as if I’m having an idea for the first time, “I suppose she may like me for that fact alone. I bet I could be a bratty, insufferable terror and she would say she likes me because it keeps you two around.”
“You’re wrong, Angel. Our mother would not be cordial if she didn’t think you are worthy of her two desirable and powerful sons.”
“You are so full of yourself!”
Adrian laughs, and I join in. I’m so caught up in the moment, I don’t realize where my head has gone until the question passes my lips and it’s too late. “What about your father?”
Light fades from Adrian’s expression, and his body stiffens. All of the warmth flees the room. I shiver. “What about my father?”
I lick my lips, nervous. “Would he like me?” I try to sound calm, but my heart pounds in my chest. Adrian really can be terrifying.
“We will never know.”
The short reply intrigues me. “Why not?”
“Because you’ll never meet him.” There’s a finality in his words, but I don’t acknowledge it.
“Why is that?”
“Angel… let’s drop it. Okay? Not all of us have loving parents who we want to introduce our significant others to. Speaking of which, when can I expect to meet Mr. and Mrs. Messenger?”
He’s trying to distract me. Not wanting to ruin the levity of the meal, I let him. “I’m not introducing you. You haven’t even asked me on a date.”
The terrifying look is gone. His smile returns. “Do you want to go on a date with me, Angel?”
“Not a pity date,” I fake pout, crossing my arms and looking at the back wall, avoiding his gaze.
Adrian plays along, assuring me our first date will not be a pity date. He compliments me endlessly, swearing he will show me a good time, begging me to give him a chance. Our flirting is fun and easy, and the rest of the meal proceeds smoothly. But if Adrian thinks I’m not going to look into why he won’t even mention his father’s name, he doesn’t know me at all.
Twelve
“Vera,what do you know about my bashertens’ parents?” I sit next to the petite Nephilim, pretending to be absorbed in the book on the table, like I haven’t been contemplating how to broach this subject for the last five minutes.
