Archenemies (Renegades #2)(107)

Oscar preened. “Ready to show off my moves.” He tucked one ankle behind the other and gave a quick turn. “Tell me you can dance in those.” He jutted the end of his cane at Ruby’s heeled shoes.

“Nice thought,” said Ruby, “but we all know there will be no separating you from the free food once they bring it out.” Her expression turned serious. “Have either of you talked to Danna tonight?”

Adrian and Oscar shook their heads.

Ruby frowned. “We were supposed to come together, but she messaged me earlier and said something had come up and she’d meet me here. I asked her what something was, but she never responded.”

“Strange,” said Oscar. “But I’m sure she’ll be here soon.” He started to reach for Ruby’s hand, but then froze and settled his palm on top of his cane instead. Clearing his throat, he turned to Adrian. “Nova’s coming tonight, isn’t she?”

“Yeah, I think so.” He glanced at the large clock and saw that the gala had officially started twelve minutes ago. She was late, but not that late. And Hugh had mentioned that he’d seen her at headquarters earlier, so she had probably worked up to the last minute. “I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”

“Come on.” Ruby threaded her arm through Oscar’s elbow. He stood straighter in surprise, but then Ruby laced her other arm through Adrian’s and he deflated again. “My family is excited to see you.”

She dragged them into the sea of tables.

It wasn’t just Ruby’s brothers who were at the gala, but her mom, dad, and grandmother too. Adrian felt like he already knew them, from everything he’d heard from Ruby, and it wasn’t long before her brothers were begging to hear about what it was like to take down criminals, and was it true that Hawthorn had a forked tongue, and was it weird living in the same house as the Dread Warden because if they could turn invisible they would come up with the best pranks.

Adrian was as friendly as he could manage, but he was constantly scanning the entrance, watching the guests filter in. Eventually, Oscar’s mom showed up. Their group, including Adrian’s dads, who were socializing on the other side of the room, took up two full tables. Adrian saved a seat for Nova, and he noticed Ruby stashing her purse on the seat beside her, too, reserving it for Danna.

Twenty minutes passed. Oscar and Ruby went to stand by the kitchen doors, where they could be sure to accost the waiters every time they brought out a new tray of appetizers.

Thirty minutes passed. Adrian spotted his dads purveying a long table full of gift baskets and desserts—a silent auction that was part of the fundraiser intended to replace some of the stolen drugs. Simon put a bid down for a latticework pie, though Hugh was the pie lover and Simon definitely would have preferred the chocolate cake beside it.

Forty minutes passed.

Adrian’s heart sank, ever so slowly. His smile became more forced. He caught Oscar giving him a sympathetic look, which only irritated him.

One hour into the gala, the guests were encouraged to take their seats and the salad course was served. Adrian stared down at the delicate stems of some unfamiliar lettuce, candied nuts, and glistening purple beets. His fathers joined their table and Oscar’s mom looked like she was about to faint from their mere presence. Adrian pushed his salad around with his fork, grateful that between Hugh Everhart and Oscar Silva, no one would notice that he wasn’t saying much.

She wasn’t coming.

He’d blown it.

It was for the best, he tried to tell himself. There was no way he and Nova could be anything more than friends and teammates. Not if he was going to keep his secret. Already he’d started planning different ways that he could tell her the truth.

But Nova hated the Sentinel. If he thought she would be thrilled to learn his identity, that she would somehow be impressed by him, then he was in more denial than he realized. No. A real relationship would never work, not while he was trying to be the Sentinel too. Not while his loyalties were so divided. Not while—

“Holy smokes,” Oscar whispered. “Adrian.” He smacked Adrian’s shoulder with the back of his hand, dislodging his thoughts. Ruby noticed, too, and they both turned at the same time.

The air left him. Every doubt evaporated at once.

He was just kidding. A real relationship could totally work. He would make it work.

Jumping up from his seat, Adrian made his way through the tables, unable to take his gaze from Nova. She was standing by the doors, searching the crowd, and when they landed on him she started in surprise. He beamed. She smiled back, but warily. Maybe she was nervous too.

Somehow, the idea made him borderline giddy.

“Wow,” he said when he reached her. “You look—”

“Don’t get used to it,” she interrupted. “I’m never wearing a dress again. I don’t know why anyone would willingly subject themselves to this torture.” She tugged at the hem of the black lining beneath a lacy overdress.

Adrian chuckled. “I’ll admire it while I can, then.”

Nova blushed and her gaze swept down his tuxedo. She gulped, and didn’t make eye contact as she said, “I’m sorry I’m late.”

“It’s okay. You haven’t missed much. I’ll show you where we’re sitting.”

Nova peered into the crowd. Her expression seemed troubled. She didn’t follow him.