Envy

by Lana Pecherczyk

  “Mijo,” Mary said to Wyatt, voice soft and eyes full of pain for her son. “I think it’s time to entertain the idea that Evan was right all these years.”

  “Bullshit,” Wyatt dropped his spoon to the table. “This is some sort of sick joke, isn’t it? You would have seen a vision.”

  “I failed.” Mary slumped.

  Flint draped his arm protectively around his wife.

  “You failed?” Wyatt’s eyebrows rose incredulously. “You fucking failed?”

  “Wyatt,” Flint warned. “You’re hurting, so I’m going to let that disrespect slide. But you need to stop being hotheaded about this. We’re all here to support you. In fact, all of you need to cool your jets, and think about this objectively.”

  “Cool my jets?” Wyatt shook his head. “We’re all knee-deep in our sins, don’t tell us to cool our fucking jets. You have no idea what it feels like to have a sin whispering evil things in your ear morning, noon and night. It’s a wonder none of us have sucked on the barrel of a gun to shut out the pain.”

  “Wyatt.” Mary’s curt tone cut through the air like a knife, and when she spoke like that, woe was the person who ignored her. They all muttered into an uncomfortable lull that impregnated the air with a buzzing expectancy.

  Evan hated the pained words coming from Wyatt. He knew he had to tread carefully.

  “She murdered someone, then attacked my girl,” he said quietly. “Then I physically fought with her to protect Grace. I know Sara’s alive, Wyatt. I saw her face two inches from mine.”

  Anger simmered in Wyatt’s bright eyes. “You don’t have any proof.”

  Parker cleared his throat. “That’s not true. We lifted her prints from something she touched last night.”

  “The footage from the camera across the road confirms it,” Sloan added, surprising Evan. That was the first he’d heard about CCTV footage being found.

  “The prints came back a positive match, Wyatt,” Parker continued. “And unless her corpse is walking around, brother, I think it’s time we face the music. She’s alive.”

  As usual, Wyatt turned his wrath Evan’s way. “You screwed up once. How do you know this isn’t the same?”

  He referred to the fact that Evan neglected to mention he sensed Sara’s envy at the building before it was too late.

  Liza glared at Wyatt. “You got no clue. You think he messed up? You did, by becoming a giant mother-fucking turd. If it wasn’t for Evan, we’d never know the truth.”

  “Fuck you, Liza.”

  “I’m already fucked.”

  This shit is going sideways, Evan thought. The looks from the high-brow patrons were starting to stick. Which was okay, he’d anticipated that, and he even planned for the eventuality of Wyatt losing his temper and storming out. The patrons were well versed in his tantrums so would most likely chalk it up to his usual. But Evan wasn’t ready for Grace to see this display of family defectiveness. He knew they were precariously close to ending it all, but he loved his family, he had to keep trying.

  On instinct, he sought Grace out. As though hearing his silent plea, she looked up and their eyes met. Instantly, he felt calmer. But when Grace stood with her friend, and headed to the exit, a new version of panic engulfed him. He’d told her to wait for him. Where was she going? He shifted to leave, but Parker took hold of his wrist and displayed the Yin-Yang tattoo to Wyatt.

  “What do you see there, brother?” Parker said.

  “I’m not doing this,” Wyatt growled, barely glancing at Evan’s tattoo. “Get out of my way.”

  Parker shoved him back then pointed a look at Evan. “Show him.”

  “What, now? Here?” Evan blanched. It was too public. People watched. Plus Grace was leaving.

  All the above made Evan riled. What if he let loose more than a shock slip?

  Parker folded his arms and moved his mountain of a body to block as much view of the patrons as he could. “Yes, now.”

  “What the hell?” Wyatt’s gaze filled with rage and Evan knew he was out of time. One more second, and that rage would spill into violence.

  Evan generated power in his body, let it build and crackle down his arms until it hit his fingertips and dropped a shower of sparks to the floor. He lifted his palm to place on Wrath’s chest, but Griffin cried out, “No. Stop.”

  Evan curled his fingers at the last minute.

  “It’s fine, Griff,” Parker said. “I took the shock. I survived.”

  “Don’t you see? His fingers are sparking. For that to happen, the voltage is much more than what you received, Parker,” Griffin added.

  “Voltage?” Wyatt’s dark brows pinched as he stared at Evan’s crackling fist.

  “He’s met his balanced mate,” Mary said. “His real balance.” The insinuation hung in the air. Sara hadn’t been the one for Wyatt, otherwise he’d have developed a power, too. “It’s just how Gloria described it would happen all those years ago. From the pheromones, to the awakening of a powerful ability.”

  Liza’s grip slipped on her beer, and the glass bottle dropped to the table. She gaped a look toward the windows of the restaurant as though something had grabbed her attention. And then, as though sensing unnatural dominos fall, each of his siblings—even Wyatt—lifted a head, and eyes to the street-side windows of the restaurant.

  “You all felt that?” Parker’s fists clenched at his side.

  Sloan and Tony both turned back to their meal.

  “Nah,” Sloan said.

  “I think a night-cap would be good,” Tony added.

  “It’s early afternoon, Tony,” Sloan chided.

  He shrugged.

  “Felt what?” Evan asked. He’d not sensed anything other than the usual level of envy.

  “Something is wrong,” Griffin said, nostrils flaring, as though he smelled the sin of greed.

  Liza scooped her black purse off the table and checked inside where her police registered weapon sat next to her CCPD badge. “I’m going to check it out. That was a shit load of sin.”

  Tony shook his head. “I’m on set tomorrow. Can’t turn up bruised.”

  “I can’t find my battle gear,” Sloan remarked.

  More like she couldn’t fit into it anymore.

  In classic Wyatt style, he used the opportunity to storm off.

  “You’re all a bunch of sissy girls.” Liza slid out of the booth.

  “I’m coming,” Parker said.

  “Of course you would after that remark, you prideful bitch,” Liza shot back at him.

  Parker’s eyebrow arched in warning and he folded his massive arms against his chest, as if to say, bring it. Oh she would. She could.

  Evan turned to Griffin. Motherfucker checked his god-damned wrist tattoo.

  “No,” he said. “I’ve already done enough generous deeds today.”

  Then he felt it… a slow ebbing of envy cranking up with each passing minute. Shit. Something deadly was about to happen, and Grace was out there.

  Liza turned to her eldest brother. “We don’t have time to suit up.”

  Parker smoothed his collared shirt and wiped imaginary dust from his shoulder. “We’ll be fine like this. How hard can it be?”

  Oh course he’d fucking think that.

  “Someone needs their combat gear on,” Mary warned. “Someone needs to be able to go all out if necessary.”

  “It should be you,” Parker said to Evan.

  “No. I’m going now. Grace is out there.” Evan pushed past Parker, but was halted by a hand to his chest.

  “I’ll keep her safe,” Parker promised. “You’re the only one who’s got the powers, Evan. If we need them, and you go out there like this, then you’re not anonymous, you’ll be compromised. As will we all.”

  Evan’s teeth ground as he contemplated. “You don’t let a hair on her head get harmed.” Fuck. Shit. Was he really trusting them to look after Grace until he got there? He turned to Mary. “There’s still a spare suit in the basement, right?”

 
Mary nodded and shot a glare at Sloan and Tony. “All of you have suits down there.”

  Flint stood. “I’ll come with you, Evan. Someone has to man the comms.”

  That last comment was also directed Sloan’s way. Before her gaming hiatus, she had helped him with tactical support. It was good practice to have someone sitting at HQ in front of a computer, checking maps, police radio alerts, etc. As usual, Sloan ignored the dig. She wiped her nose with her sleeve and then waved the waiter over.

  Evan couldn’t believe it. In the face of what they now knew, half his family still sat idle at the table.

  “You make me sick,” Evan said to them. Harsh, but true. “You were given these amazing gifts—”

  “That we didn’t ask for!” Sloan added.

  “—that people would kill for!” Evan finished. “Don’t throw it away on regret.”

  “Evan is right.” Mary stood to join Evan. “I thought I was doing you all a favor by letting you choose another path. I thought maybe Gloria had failed in her creation of you, but it was me who failed. You have a choice. Get up and live, or stay on the path to your own destruction.”

  Evan didn’t stick around to hear more. He bolted for the exit with only one thought on his mind: Grace.

  Twenty-Two

  “Why don’t you stay at mine tonight?” Grace asked Lilo as they walked down the footpath, away from Heaven. The busy streets bustled with people walking to and from the many food establishments in the Quadrant area. Probably on their way home from a lunch date, or on their way to an afternoon coffee date. All of which, Grace didn’t usually do because she was too busy at the hospital. That’s why they were treating themselves to a luxury lunch today, because it was a treat for them to get out of work. Just another reminder of her empty personal life. She nudged her friend. “I could use some help with my investigation. You know you’re better at that sort of thing than me.”

  Evan had his hands full with his family, and Grace had a few days off work which gave her plenty of time to investigate the new information she’d received from the Medical Examiner and to process everything that had happened between her and Evan.

  “You know I can’t resist a good investigation, but I really should get back and try to patch things up with Donnie. He’s already wondering where I went.” Lilo waved her phone in the air.

  “I’ve got a new lead,” Grace said in a singsong voice.

  “Ooh, you temptress.” Lilo laughed. “But I promised Donnie I’d cook him dinner at my place tonight. I need to get back to the office and write a few things up so I can leave early to start the prep.”

  Grace narrowed her eyes. At Lilo’s place for dinner. That was the third time this week. As usual, Donnie didn’t want to be seen in public with Lilo. It broke her heart to see her friend used.

  “Sounds to me like he wants to know where you are twenty-four-seven and you’re not even officially dating.” Grace plucked a leaf from a nearby tree and turned it over in her hands. “I thought you wanted to break it off with him. Now’s your perfect chance.”

  “Easier said than done, Grace.”

  “He doesn’t see your worth. I do. He’s using you.”

  “Relationship advice coming from you, Miss. Lonely Hearts?”

  Grace flinched.

  “Sorry,” Lilo murmured. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  Grace sighed. “But you’re right. I don’t have experience with relationships. I’m just worried about you. I think you deserve better.”

  Lilo stared at her feet and shrugged. “I don’t mind cooking him dinner.”

  Ugh. Sometimes, hearing about difficult relationships made Grace grateful she wasn’t in one. Too hard. What she and Evan had was… instinctual, no… convenient? Physical. Sexual. Definitely sexual. She liked sexual. Dear God, she liked it. The way his rock hard abs felt still gave Grace the shivers down to her little toes. It would be nice to revisit that body when they weren’t hiding in a storeroom. She hadn’t even had the chance to see to his needs. It had been all her. That thought brought a flush to her cheeks. She’d have to rectify that.

  Maybe she was okay with a convenient sexual relationship. Humans had physical needs. Doctors had needs. He was busy. She was busy. He had responsibilities. She did too. Who’s saying they had to devote every hour of the day to each other?

  But then again, he was Envy. He was violent by nature, and just being around him made her want to give in to those old toxic temptations for revenge.

  Grace checked her watch. Speaking of responsibilities, she’d spent too much time avoiding hers. Time to get home and gather her thoughts before visiting Taco’s aunty’s place and then heading out to the address she’d received from the Medical Examiner.

  “Shall we split a cab?” Grace asked. Lilo’s work wasn’t too far from Grace’s home.

  “How about we walk?” Lilo replied. “I know I said I had to get back, but if it’s on the way, we can discuss your project as we go.”

  Grace checked her watch again. A walk would add another twenty minutes to her schedule, but the clear and crisp afternoon air wasn’t bad for the beginning of Winter. Evan’s morning sunshine had stayed around to keep the cold away. The sky was clear and blue.

  “You can tell me about your progress,” Lilo added. “My offer still stands—I’m happy to pitch the story to my editor if the facts check out.”

  “Okay. It’s a deal. Let’s walk and talk.” Grace linked her arms with her friend, ready to start their journey, but a loud bang echoed against the tall buildings, halting their progress.

  Alarmed, Grace and Lilo looked at each other.

  The commotion down the street grew. Traffic slowed near them. Horns beeped. People shouted. Something happened in front of the coffee shop, not too far away. Grace couldn’t see over the heads of the people running. Someone screamed. A gunshot, the screech of tires… then a thunderous bang, and it started to rain.

  Grace held out her hand as water dropped in her palm. She looked up, expecting clouds, but the sun still shone brightly, causing a rainbow to emerge in front of her.

  “It’s an accident,” Lilo said, pointing.

  Up ahead, water sprayed like a geyser into the air.

  “Someone’s hit the hydrant,” Grace said, shaking herself from her fright. “They might be hurt.”

  She jogged ahead of Lilo, barging past the fleeing crowd, toward the commotion. When she arrived, she forced herself to calm and breathe steady as she assessed the situation. A car lay overturned on the street, tires spinning in the air. Another had crashed into it and smoke curled from the carnage. Metal creaked and cracked. Something hissed. She whipped her gaze up and down the street at the impending traffic jam. An ambulance would have trouble getting through.

  There had been gunshots, she was sure of it. But from where? She had to make sure the area was safe before she went in. First rule of first aid—check the area for danger.

  It was odd. There were no drivers in the vehicles. No bodies littering the road, but sidewalk tables and chairs were turned over. Skid marks blackened the road leading up to the collision. One of the cars must have lost control, hit the hydrant and the sidewalk before ending back in the middle of the road, and colliding with the second vehicle.

  “Wow. Are you seeing this?” Lilo had her phone out, scanning the street, recording. “This is Lilo Likeke, from Cardinal Copy News. I’m in the Quadrant where there appears to be a road accident of some sort. A hydrant has been hit. Gunshots were heard. People are running, but we can’t see signs of injured. We’re not sure exactly what’s happened…”

  Lilo continued narrating while Grace gave the scene another once over, this time noticing something about one of the vehicles. It was a large van and painted in Cardinal City General Hospital colors.

  “It’s a hospital patient transport vehicle,” she murmured. “There could be someone sick in the back.”

  She stepped onto the road, then was pulled back roughly.

  “Stay back,” c
ame a gruff, male voice.

  When Grace turned, she had to look up to Evan’s enormous brother, Parker. He could probably lift Grace above his head with one arm and not break a sweat.

  “Something’s not right,” he said, dark eyes staring intently at the accident.

  Grace checked for Evan, but didn’t see him.

  His sister—the one Grace thought to be a Victoria’s Secret model—advanced on the scene with her pistol aimed at the wreckage, very professional like. A police badge dangled from a chain around her neck. She looked kick-ass. Like something out of a Law and Order episode.

  “CCPD,” she shouted, eyes focused on the upturned car. “Put your weapons away and come out with your hands up.”

  No movement except the wheels still spinning.

  This was beyond strange. Where they criminals? Was it a terrorist attack? It was as though they waited for something.

  A faint cry for help came from inside the van.

  A woman. Hurt.

  Grace’s heart kicked up a notch, and adrenaline shot through her system. Her body trembled, wanting to move, but forced to stay.

  No gunman came out.

  “Someone’s hurt,” Grace said, more to herself than anyone else. She had to go.

  Enough of this.

  She broke from Parker and stepped toward the road, hands up, shouting. “I’m a doctor. I’m unarmed.”

  The second her foot touched the asphalt, a shot fired, and the ground near her foot exploded, spraying debris into her face. Grace ducked, people screamed. A rough hand jerked her back, and she slammed into a wall of hard muscle.

  “Evan will kill me if I let you get hurt,” Parker growled. “Stay back. Let the professionals handle this.”

  The cop had her gun trained up at the roof of the buildings in the street, looking for the sniper.

  “She’s got no backup,” Grace said. “Someone is injured in there.”

  “You’ll do no good if you get yourself killed. Backup’s on the way.” Parker tugged Grace and Lilo from the road and stowed them behind the protection of a fallen coffee shop table, upturned like a shield. “Stay down.”