Page 34 of Ghost
“Then—”
“It’s not what you think,” he repeated. “I don’t know how to handle this, Jules. It’s torture. I need you. I’m sorry, I know you were supposed to go out—”
“That’s been cancelled anyway,” I interrupted, not welcoming the reminder of my previous plans. I walked back into the room to grab my jacket. The discussion between my mother and Anthony paused at my entrance. But I ignored their questioning looks. “What do you need me for, exactly? New business?”
“Well…” Miles sounded hesitant. “I told you not to worry, but it does have to do with Bianca. It—”
“What’s wrong with her?” My audience fell away as various visions raced through my mind. Despite my reassurances, I had been deeply affected by the scene of Finn pinning her against the wall. It had been only for her sake that I dropped the subject when she stated she didn’t want to press charges.
I remembered quite well how terrible forcing compliance turned out.
“Julian, what are you talking about?” My mother, who usually stayed out of my business, was suddenly very interested in my call. “Is someone hurt?”
Anthony, too, seemed to perk. His posture shifted from sullen defiance to rapt attention. His dark eyes glittered in excitement. “It’s a girl! Do you think he has a girlfriend?”
“Anthony, don’t be mean to your brother,” Mother chastised as she intercepted my hasty retreat. “Julian, talk to me. Does someone need medical attention? I’ve never seen you look so worried before.”
Anthony’s smile grew. “It’s because he has a crush—”
“Shut up, Anthony,” I hissed. The reaction was so unexpected, even to myself, that it took a moment for me to realize what I had even done.
Ineverresponded to Anthony’s goading.
Anthony appeared to be just as shocked. His mouth snapped closed as he stared at me. But I didn’t have time to threaten him further. Mother was already pulling at my sleeves, demanding my attention.
The look in her eyes offered me no other choice but to respond.
“Hold on, Miles.” I put the phone to my chest, turning to her as I mentally cursed myself. “It’s alright, Mother, it’s just a—”
“Who is the girl?”
My excuse died in my throat, from her words and the force of her narrowed gaze on me. She was shorter than me— I had grown taller than her years ago. And she was a small woman to begin with. But sometimes it was difficult not to be intimidated.
“I…” A number of explanations raced through my mind, before, finally, I settled on one that seemed somewhat innocent. “She’s Damen’s friend. He met her through Finn. They used to go to school together.”
Anthony snorted. “Finn knows a girl, and didn’t sacrifice her to a demon? Shocking.” He leaned back in his seat, pulling out his own phone. “Now I’m curious. I should check in with him anyway. She must not be virginal enough for his needs. Or she’s more corrupt than he—”
“Shut up!” I glared at my brother, a splash of red crossing my vision. It surprised me, to be honest, but I loathed the thought of anyone hurting her. Even if it was with words. “Don’t talk about her like that.”
He didn’t know Bianca. She was sweet and precious. And clearly life had been difficult for her—I was sure what we knew about her was nothing in comparison to the rest of her past. She wasn’t normal, and that worried me. Because she wasn’t normal in ways that sheshouldbe.
I liked to take care of people. It was a reason why I decided on medical school. But I knew my desire to help her went much deeper. I couldn’t explain it, because we hadn’t known each other so long. But there was a draw she held toward me, begging for my attention.
I had never felt like this before. And yet, it was familiar.
“Oh, Julian.” Mother’s eyes were closed, and she was rubbing her temples with both hands. “You’re grounded.”
Anthony burst into laughter. But I ignored him, staring at my mother in surprise.
“I am twenty-one years old. I live on my own, and I’m putting myself through medical school. You can’t ground me. Besides, I haven’t even done anything wrong.” I couldn’t stop my shocked protest.
Her eyes opened and—for the first time in my life—she looked at me with disappointment in her gaze. Although, if I wasn’t mistaken, there was something else hidden in those depths.
It almost looked like… fear?
But it was hidden in a flash. She pursed her lips, taking on a stern tone. “Julian Dylan Kohler, I suffered labor for two agonizing days to bring you into this world. Do not insult me by pretending that I don’t know when you’re up to something. I will—”
A quick knock sounded through the room, and Ms. Hollis poked her head back through the doorway. “So sorry. But she’s waiting for you.”
