Filthy Gods (American Gods 0.5)(32)

“My favorite student,” he said, grinning wide at me, his white mustache tickling his top lip.

“Hi, Quinn.” I gave him a half hug and turned toward the desk, gazing at how empty the rooms were. Soon they would be filled with students, all seeking sacred knowledge between these walls. Hopeful and dedicated to their goals.

“You had a good summer?”

I nodded, forcing a smile and he frowned back at me.

“Ah, don’t let those rich kids bother you,” he said, tapping my shoulder as he walked past me to help someone nearby. He had always said that to me. Especially when the students purposefully knocked over books or told me to ignore their overdue charges and look the other way. He had been my protector here even if I didn’t want one. The father figure I’d never had.

“Do you need any more shifts covered? I can balance some more,” I told him, avoiding his gaze and focusing on rechecking the books into the system.

He folded his arms across his chest. “Juliette, you’re doing six shifts already in the schedule. You need time to go to class and sleep.”

I shrugged. “I need the money to stay in those classes.”

A silence spread between us and I squeezed my eyes shut, knowing what was coming.

“I can help you if you need—”

I shook my head. “No, no, Quinn. I would hate myself if I ever asked that of you.”

“You’d pay me back one day. I know you would.”

I shook my head again, pressing my lips into a thin line. I could tell he wanted to continue the conversation, but I kept my head down, focusing on my task. I wouldn’t do that to him.

Ever.

I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.

A widower, Quinn was still trying to help pay off his son’s loans from school. He was almost sixty-four and needed to save up for a good retirement plan. I wouldn’t burden him with more debts.

As the afternoon carried onto the evening, I rolled the cart to each bookshelf, returning books back to their rightful spots. I found calm in the library, surrounded by books and soft voices whispering ideas and thoughts back and forth.

Bending down, I struggled to stick one of the books back, grunting when it wouldn’t budge.

Black oxford shoes stopped beside me and my throat grew dry as I paused, glancing up the tailored suit pants and up again until I saw a face.

Gabe Easton.

I hadn’t seen him since what happened with the senator. I hadn’t seen any of them now that I thought about it.

He tilted his head to the side, his features stone cold.

I didn’t like how much he towered over me and I stood, pressing my black skirt down, trying to ignore how my hands shook.

I wasn’t afraid of him, but his mere presence stirred hell’s fire.

I caught sight of James and Arsen standing a few feet back, casually waiting between the bookshelves. James, wearing a worn leather jacket and a busted bottom lip, and Arsen in all black—black shirt, black dress pants, black shiny shoes, and dark eyes. A few students paused, glancing at the scene.

“Can I help you?” I arched a brow at Gabe.

Gabe’s mouth quirked into a smile, but it wasn’t a kind one. It was cruel and ruthless and it made my stomach drop. “We need you to come with us.”

That sent a dreadful shiver down my spine and I straightened, even though I was nowhere near his impressive height. Their presence was suffocating, like hell and heaven colliding.

“I’m working,” I stated and brushed past him.

He laughed once, but I didn’t stop. I gave one brief look to James and Arsen as I walked in-between them and toward the circulation desk.

Quinn was watching me intently, arms folded as the boys followed me.

I made it behind the desk and tried to ignore them, but they stopped right in front of me with only the counter separating me from them.

Was this payback? Was Nathaniel seeking revenge? I hadn’t thought he would be so petty about all of this. I obviously hadn’t mattered as much to him as he’d mattered to me.

“What?” I snapped, my patience breaking, the only thing I had left.

Gabe didn’t speak, only stared at me.

“I’m trying to work here,” I said, taking deep even breaths. “I said so already.”

James leaned against the counter, raking his fingers through his messy golden mane. “We can wait. We can wait all night.”

I blanched. “What do you want from me?”

“Your time and presence,” Gabe stated simply. “Nathaniel needs you.”

My stomach twisted at his words and I knew he watched me closely, but I couldn’t hide the concern flashing across my features. “Is…is he okay?”

James hummed and glanced at his two friends. “I don’t know, is he?”

“The asshole is a fucking mess,” Arsen muttered under his breath.

My hands curled into my palm.

“Spit it out.” My pulse was racing and I cringed at how my voice shook.

“We need you to come with us,” Gabe said, again.

I glanced at Quinn.

“If you need to go, Juliette, you can. As long as you want to,” he said, glaring toward the boys at the last part.

I gritted my teeth, reached for my purse under the counter and threw it over my shoulder. “Okay. Take me to him.”