Don't Rush Me (Nora Jacobs #1)(30)

I shake my head automatically. “Thanks, but I just want to keep my head down and my nose out of trouble. Your world isn’t exactly safe for humans. Besides, I could use the change. I’ve got a lot of bad memories here that I’d like to escape…and certain asshole vampires to avoid.”

Director West lifts an arched brow at me, but the corner of her mouth tips up into a small smile. “Very well. Stay safe, Nora, and good luck in your next venture.”

After saying good-bye and giving my thanks to everyone, I make my way to the back of the room, where Oliver is still sitting at the table. He starts to fidget when I approach, but he stays put knowing I’ve got questions. “Oliver, hey.”

“Hi, Nora.”

I sit down next to him and offer a smile to put him at ease. He runs his fingers through his hair and then tucks both of his hands in his lap.

“So…” I ask the million-dollar question. “You work here?”

He meets my gaze and gives me a small, almost cocky smile as he shrugs a shoulder. “I’m the assistant director.”

“Seriously?” My eyes bulge. That title sounds important. Like…is he Nick’s boss? Sweet, cute Oliver? He certainly looks the part now. He’s handsome in his suit and seems to have more confidence than he had on the bus yesterday. “If you have a good job here, what in the world are you doing hanging at the library and taking the bus out in my neighborhood every night?”

Oliver’s cheeks blush. “I was keeping an eye on you.”

My jaw falls slack, and I quickly pop my mouth shut. My mind starts racing. What did he mean by that? Why would he be looking out for me? How did he even know who I am? It was sweet that he was worried about me, but it was a little creepy at the same time. Was he stalking me?

Oliver grimaces, as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “You don’t remember, but we’ve met before. Years ago. I’ve been looking out for you ever since.”

I’m shocked. Had we met before last night? Sure, I’d seen him around the library over the last few months, but I didn’t think we’d ever talked. Had we? I think really hard and come up blank. “Um…no…?”

He shakes his head. “No. You don’t remember, because I spelled you to forget. A long time ago. About nine years ago.”

It only takes me a second to realize what he’s talking about, and then I gasp so loud I gain the attention of everyone in the entire room. “That was you?”

Oliver flinches, startled, and his face drains of color. “You do remember?”

A shadow closes over me, and I glance up to find a giant, overprotective troll giving Oliver a stink eye. Everyone else gathers in behind him. “Everything okay over here?”

“Yeah, sorry, I just…” I look back at Oliver, my mouth flapping like a fish’s. “The park that night? Those men… That was really you?”

He nods, face ashen, and mumbles, “I didn’t mean to kill them.”

“What?” Nick asks. He sounds morbidly curious.

Director West, on the other hand, seems much more concerned when she says, “You killed people?”

I want to slap my hand over my face. Wrong thing for him to say in front of a whole group of people that happen to be the underworld police. No wonder he seems so distressed. His face goes green as he glances up at his boss. “I didn’t mean to.”

Poor guy. There’s no way I’m going to let him get in trouble for that. “I’m glad he did. Those bastards deserved a lot worse than they got.”

There’s silence for a few moments, until Director West says, “Would you two care to explain?”

I really don’t want to explain, but it sounds more like a gentle command than a request, so I take a deep breath before launching into one of the most horrific memories of my life. “I was thirteen, living with a foster family up in Chaldean Town. Sometimes my foster dad would drink, and when that happened, it was better for me to not be around, so I’d duck out of the house and wait him out in the park nearby.”

“A thirteen-year-old girl wandering alone in Chaldean Town after dark?” Nick mutters. “Were you crazy?”

“It was usually the safer option,” I murmur as I fall, unavoidably, into the memory. “Just not that night.”

Several people in the room curse under their breath.

“What happened?” someone asks gently. I don’t know who, because I’ve got my eyes closed, and I’m fighting to stave off the PTSD panic attack.

When I can’t answer the question, Oliver speaks up. “It was late in the evening, and I was out in the park practicing my control of my magic. I had a hard time containing my power back then. But anyway, I was on my way home cutting through the playground when I saw two human men…um…”

“Attacking me,” I finish, my voice a ghost of a whisper.

The energy in the room grows heavy with friction. A low snarl breaks the silence that’s so menacing the hairs on my arms stand up. I’ve heard that growl before. Terrance’s eyes have gone black, like they did back at the club. The entire group seems just as shocked by his change as those at the club had the first time.

I understand this is some kind of reaction to the news that I was hurt like that, because Terrance feels protective of me. I’m a little baffled that the troll cares so much, but it punches me in the gut at the same time. I’ve never had a true friend before. Never had anyone to watch my back. My chest burns at the thought of the treasure I’ve acquired in my acquaintance with Terrance.