Apprentice (The Gentlemens' Society for Alchemy, #1)

Chapter 21 - Like Real People Do

My eyes scan every single spot in the tight alley we've found ourselves in. As far as I know, Alchemists can't be invisible, so once I feel that we're safe from any prying eyes, I start talking.

"I have a plan," I say. He looks both alarmed and relieved at this news.

"These... people after me. I'm 90% sure they're Roman's people. He has a bit of an obsession with me, but there's one thing he has repeated to me over and over and OVER again."

Cam folds his arms over his chest. It always makes his uniform look like it's about to pop and it's always hot as hell. His doe brown eyes study mine, completely focused on me, and I struggle not to let his physical presence affect what I'm about to ask him to do.

"Ezra Roman is a possessive, controlling, egotistical man. If there's one thing I know that will make him lose interest in me, it's if I was interested in another man."

Cam looks at me, his expression blank. I take a deep breath and continue.

"He won't share me, Cam, he's said as much. In fact he said he wouldn't even have been at The Pit Stop the other night if he didn't know for sure that there was nothing going on between us."

"How would he know if there was something going on between us---"

"Not important," I say, knowing Cam would absolutely freak out if he knew someone had eyes on his apartment.

"But my point is, if we make it look like we are involved, he would immediately know -- and hopefully leave us alone."

Cam scrubs his chin, deep in thought. I bite my lip, wondering if he's caught what I'm getting at, and hoping I won't have to explain it much further. His brow is furrowed, his lips pursed and he almost looks... hurt.

"So you're asking me to pretend to be in love with you, Liv?" His voice holds such a tangled web of emotions in that one statement, that I don't even know where to begin to unravel it.

"I know it's a huge ask," I say, awkwardly rubbing my arm. I can barely make myself meet his eyes. "I know it might make it hard for you to date for a while, and that you might not want anything to do with me, but it's for our safety..."

"Olivia," Cam's eyes are still laser focused on me. "When was the last time you saw me go on a date?"

"I don't know..." I mumble. I knew this conversation would be difficult to get through, but I didn't expect to feel like I couldn't breathe, just from the way Cam was looking at me. Both of his hands rest on my shoulders, his thumbs softly massaging the sides of my neck, but instead of feeling nervous and electrified by his touch, it felt natural, and comforting. I closed my eyes, wondering what else I could say that would convince him - I had to get him to do this! Both of our lives depended on staying off of Roman's radar!

"Cam, I'm sorry!" I feel my lip start to tremble. My emotions had been getting the best of me for the last few days. Who was I becoming? I NEVER cried, and I certainly never let myself get emotional. But just the thought of being unable to protect the people I loved, it made something shrivel up inside me and die. I rejected it. I refused to let it happen. I took a deep breath and kept going.

"I know this a huge thing, to pretend to be with me for real, but I have to keep you safe. I have to." I place a hand on his cheek, to emphasize this, to make him look deeply into me. "This is all MY FAULT. You said you felt someone following you today? Well that's probably because someone WAS following you. I just can't bear the idea of someone hurting you, especially because of ME."

Cam shakes his head, laughing to himself. My emotions are running so high, I can't help but react.

"What the hell is so funny?!"