by Paige Tyler
While Zarina had technically answered the question, she was leaving out many of the more important details Minka had told her. That surprised Minka. She’d thought Zarina was a very honest person, but now she was lying so calmly and convincingly, it was hard for Minka to doubt what the doctor was saying. Zarina knowingly lying to a man who was obviously very powerful in this place told Minka how much the doctor distrusted Dick. It convinced her even more that she was right to hate him.
Dick’s eyes narrowed as they fell on Minka. “That’s disappointing to hear. And the improved control that she appears to exhibit? Is that a coincidence, or does she represent a new radically improved generation of hybrid?”
Zarina shrugged. “I’ve already looked at her DNA. There aren’t any significant differences between her and the first generation hybrids we’ve already studied. Perhaps she’s more docile simply because she’s a woman.”
Minka frowned. She and Zarina hadn’t talked about this subject at all, and Minka wasn’t really sure what some of the words they were saying meant. But even so, she could instinctively tell that Zarina was lying about this, too.
Dick snorted as if Zarina’s answer amused him. “Maybe. Perhaps you’ll learn more after you’ve had time to study her.” He regarded Minka again. “She’s definitely not like the others. There’s something about her that’s familiar, though—I just can’t put my finger on what it is.”
He stared at Minka for another moment, then turned and walked out without saying anything else. The moment Minka heard him reach the end of the hallway and turn the corner, Minka looked at Zarina.
“You lied to him. Many times.”
Zarina nodded as she walked back over to the table and sat down. “He’s a bad man and can’t be trusted. The only people you can trust here are Angelo, Landon, Ivy, John, and me. There are several others too, but you haven’t met them yet. I’ll make sure you meet them soon though, so you know who they are.”
Minka was about to ask Zarina if the other hybrid—Tanner—was one of those people when she caught another scent out in the hallway. But it wasn’t Dick this time. It was Angelo.
He walked in a moment later, Landon and John right behind him. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, like yesterday, that showed off his well-muscled arms. He had his silky, dark hair loose instead of in a ponytail, too. She decided she liked it that way.
A feeling Minka could only call giddy coursing through her, she jumped up and greeted him with a smile. He grinned and took her hand, and just like that, a sense of calm washed over her. As Zarina had said, it was probably not good that she was so dependent on Angelo. But what could she do? Her soul wanted what it wanted.
Beside Angelo, John smiled at her. “I just wanted to stop by and make sure you were doing okay.”
She smiled back at him. “Yes, thank you. For everything.”
Minka knew he was responsible for her having the freedom to leave the complex and stay with Angelo, and she appreciated that gift. It was strange how different this man was from Dick. Even though each had an air of power, John’s presence was tempered with compassion, while power seemed to be the only thing Dick was interested in.
“If there’s anything I can do to help you feel more comfortable here,” John continued, “please just ask.”
She considered that. There was only one thing she could think might help make her feel more comfortable, so she asked.
“Could you make Dick go away?”
John exchanged looks with Landon and Zarina. “We’d all like that. But unfortunately, he’s difficult to get rid of.”
“Dick came sniffing around right before you got here,” Zarina said. “He’s intrigued by Minka as much as he is afraid of her. I told him things I thought might deter him from delving too deep, but he’s smart enough to know she’s unique. He’s going to keep poking around to see what Minka knows about those doctors and why she’s so different from the other hybrids.”
“Dammit,” John muttered. “Unfortunately, I can’t completely keep Dick away from Minka, but I can try to get in his way. He’s digging for someone on the Committee, and I want to know who.” He gave them a nod. “I’ll see you later.”
Zarina motioned to the nearly full tray of pastries on the table as John left. “Eat the rest of these. I’ll just end up eating them all myself if you don’t.”
Minka laughed as Angelo and Landon practically attacked the tray. It looked like they hadn’t eaten in days. She liked watching Angelo eat though, especially the way he licked his fingers in between each bite. She had no idea why she found it so intriguing, but she did.
“I think Dick has already noticed the similarities between Minka and Ivy on some subconscious level,” Zarina said as she sipped her tea. “He’s as perceptive as a fence post, so he hasn’t made the connection yet. Right now, he simply thinks there’s something familiar about Minka. But given time…”
Landon looked at her sharply. “So Minka was definitely changed using Ivy’s DNA?”
Zarina nodded. “Yes. I did the test yesterday to confirm it.”
Landon swore. “I’d better go tell Ivy. I think she already knows, but I need to tell her she’s right—and let her know that Dick is probably going to figure it out soon, too.”
“I’ll do my best to prevent him from making a direct DNA match,” Zarina told him. “I’m already tinkering with Minka’s blood samples to change them just enough to hide it. But I’m not sure Dick will care about bloodwork if he gets it into his head that Ivy and Minka are somehow related.”
Landon left, leaving Minka grasping to understand what she had just heard. Her English was not good when it came to science and medical terms, but she thought DNA had something to do with blood. Had Zarina meant that Ivy’s blood was inside Minka? Was that why she had these horrible claws and fangs, because the doctors had tried to make her like Ivy?
Minka was still mulling over that when she realized that Zarina was telling Angelo about Minka’s little loss of control a while earlier. Minka looked down at her plate, embarrassed to have him hear about her little episode.
But he didn’t get upset. He simply asked how Zarina had talked Minka down and if she thought there was anything else they could be doing to help Minka stay in control.
“I definitely think there is,” Zarina said. “As a matter of fact, Minka and I were just talking about that before Dick showed up.” She looked at Minka. “I’d like you to talk to some of the other shifters here at the DCO, kind of like a group session. I think it would be good to get their perspective on how they deal with their animal natures. Would you be okay with that?”
“Which shifters?” Minka asked.
“Layla Halliwell. She’s one of our psychologists, so I think she’ll be able to help you understand what’s happening inside you when the rage takes over.”
“Okay. Is there anyone else?”
Zarina exchanged looks with Angelo. “Actually, there is one other person I’d like you to meet. I have a friend named Tanner Howland. He’s a hybrid like you and has had to face many of the same issues you’re dealing with. He has some techniques that have helped him, and I think they might help you. Would you be willing to meet with him, too?”
“Yes, I think this would be a very good thing to try.” If anyone could teach her to control the animal inside, it would be another hybrid.
Zarina smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
“What about Ivy?” Angelo asked. “Will she be there?”
Zarina hesitated, then looked down at her notepad. “No. Ivy’s busy with something else.”
Angelo’s mouth tightened, but he didn’t say anything, which left a very uncomfortable silence in the room.
“When can I meet Layla and Tanner?” Minka asked Zarina.
“It might take me a little while to set things up,” Zarina said. “Maybe tomorrow afternoon?”
Minka glanced at Angelo, who nodded.
“Great.” Zarina pushed back her chair. “I’ll arrange it now
.”
Minka watched her go, then looked at Angelo. “I think talking with Layla and Tanner will be good for me.”
He smiled. “Me too.”
“So, what do we do for the rest of the day? Do we just sit here?”
Angelo chuckled. “We could. Or we could do something else. Landon gave me the keys to his truck, so we can do anything we want for the rest of the day. What do you want to do?”
Minka grinned. She had no idea what she wanted to do, but whatever it was, she would be with Angelo. Beyond that, she didn’t care.
They still hadn’t decided on anything by the time they got to Landon’s truck. When Angelo opened the door, she climbed in, then slid into the center of the seat. As soon as he got in beside her, he reached over to pull the seat belt across her lap and lock it into place.
“You have to keep the seat belt on,” he said when she gave him a questioning look. “And you can’t shred it with your claws.”
Minka tried to take a deep breath, squirming in the seat. She felt so trapped. Why would anyone wear this? It was like some kind of torture.
“I didn’t have to wear one last night. Or this morning,” she complained.
“That was because Landon was driving and he didn’t press the issue. Now, I’m driving, and I want you wearing a seat belt. It’s safer.”
She lifted up on the belt so she could take a deep breath. “But I feel trapped. I can’t even breathe.”
Angelo slipped on his own belt with a click, then lifted a brow. “Now you’re being dramatic. You’re not trapped, and you can breathe just fine. Stop panicking.”
She wanted to believe him, she really did. But she felt sure she was going to suffocate. She reached over and pressed the red button that released the restraining device. The moment the belt was loose, she could breathe again.
She looked at Angelo to see him frowning. She dipped her head. “I shouldn’t have done that, should I?”
“No.” He sighed. “At least you didn’t shred it. I appreciate that. So does Landon. But we’re not going anywhere until you have your seat belt on.”
They sat there, gazes locked, for a few moments.
Then he blinked. “Traffic accidents are very common, and this belt will help keep you safe in case we have one. I won’t risk your life by driving without a seat belt,” he said. “You’re too important to me.”
Knowing she was important to him made her feel warm all over. How could she argue with him now? She slowly put the belt back on and made sure the tab clicked into place. She sat very still and tried to breathe.
After a few moments, she looked at Angelo. “I think I’m okay now.”
“Thank you.” His mouth curved. “I understand it’s difficult for you to wear anything that makes you feel confined after what happened to you, but it really is safer.”
He started the truck and pulled out of the parking lot, then drove toward the main gate. As they did, Minka tried to memorize the way, but it was difficult. Even though they were going back the same way they had come that morning, the roads still seemed confusing. She was not sure she would ever find her way around this place.
As they turned off the main road—Angelo called it the interstate—she caught sight of the big building with the number twenty-two on it that she had seen yesterday.
Minka whirled around to look at Angelo. “Can we go see a movie?”
He flashed her a grin, his eyes twinkling. “Would you like that?”
She nodded, practically bouncing in the seat. Well, as much as she could bounce with her seat belt on. She hadn’t been to a real movie theater in years—never one this big. And she’d never gone to one with a man. The fact that she was going with Angelo would make it even more special.
* * *
“What did you think of the movie?” Angelo asked.
Okay, that was probably one of the dumbest questions ever. Obviously Minka had enjoyed the movie. She’d been like a six-year-old on a sugar high since the moment the animated Disney film had started.
She smiled, her eyes sparkling. “It was absolutely the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. I didn’t know they even made movies like that. Can we watch it again right now?”
Angelo laughed. When she looked at him like that, it was hard saying no to anything she wanted. “How about we get something to eat first? Then we can see the movie again if you want.”
Minka bit her lower lip, looking damn cute. “But they have food in the theater,” she reasoned.
“Snack food. And we’ve already had a tub of popcorn and a box of M&M’s. We need more than that if we’re going to sit through another movie.”
“I suppose you’re right. Though the popcorn and the M&M’s were delicious.” She looked longingly at the theater they’d just left. “We can come back though, right?”
God, she was adorable. “Of course. In fact, we don’t even have to drive anywhere. There’s a nice restaurant around the corner. I saw it as we walked in.”
As they walked hand in hand along the sidewalk, Minka told him about all her favorite parts of the movie they had just seen, which was pretty much the entire thing, including the previews. She slowed when they reached the restaurant, studying the outline of the bison on the logo of Ted’s Montana Grill painted on the window.
“What kind of animal is that?” she asked curiously.
He smiled as he followed her through the revolving door. “That’s an American bison, or buffalo. They’re sort of like big cows except way tastier.”
Angelo asked for a booth while Minka looked around. He had a hard time not laughing as she stared up in fascination at the big bison’s head mounted on the far wall.
“She seems quite taken with our mascot.”
Angelo glanced at the man who’d come up beside him. Short and heavyset, his name tag read Bryce. Underneath it was the word Manager. “Yeah, she’s fond of animals, I think.”
Bryce smiled. “You might want to take a look at this then.”
The manager walked behind the bar and reached into the glass display case. A moment later, he came out with a plush bison wearing a white handkerchief around his neck sporting the name of the restaurant. “This is Ted.”
Angelo grinned. Minka would love it. They needed to find a replacement for Boris—who was currently waiting in the truck for them—so they could give the sloth back to Zarina anyway. This would be perfect.
“I’ll take it,” he said.
Bryce handed it over with a laugh. “I’ll tell your waitress to add it to your bill.”
Minka had moved away from the bison and was studying the photos on the wall when the hostess led him to a booth. When she came over, he got up so she could slide in beside him.
“Did you see that bison on the wall there? He’s so big. And so cute.”
Angelo grinned. “I thought you might say that. That’s why I got a smaller version.” He took the plush animal from inside his jacket, where he’d been hiding it, and placed it on the table. “This is Ted.”
Minka’s eyes glistened with tears as she stared at it. Crap, what had he done wrong? He’d thought she’d love it.
But then she grabbed the toy in one hand, threw her arms around Angelo, and squeezed him so hard his ribs creaked.
“Thank you,” she said against his chest. “He’s perfect.”
He wrapped an arm around her with a chuckle. “You’re welcome. But is it okay if I breathe now?”
She gave him another squeeze, then sat back in the booth with a smile, wiping away the tears on her cheeks with her fingers. “How did you know I would like him?”
He grinned. “I just guessed.”
Angelo wanted to ask why she’d been crying, but the waitress came to take their drink orders. By the time the woman left, Minka had already put Ted carefully beside her on the seat and picked up the menu. He discovered that while she spoke English very well, she had some trouble reading it. So they took their time going through all the options, even things they weren’t going to orde
r.
The waitress came and went twice, but by the third time, Minka was ready to order. They both went with bison cheeseburgers and fries.
Minka picked up Ted and looked at him closely, her slender fingers gently caressing the shaggy fur around the buffalo’s head. “Thank you for helping me with the menu,” she said, carefully avoiding his eyes. “You are an amazingly patient man. Your wife must feel very lucky.”
Minka’s eyes never left Ted’s fuzzy features, but it was obvious she was fishing. Damn, who would have thought it? Minka had all the subtly of a brick to the side the head.
“I’m not married,” he said. “And before you ask, I don’t have a girlfriend either.”
She relaxed visibly at that. Setting Ted on the seat beside her again, she gave Angelo a smile. “I wasn’t asking. I was just pointing out that you’re very patient. I would never be so rude as to ask something so personal of you.”
With that out of the way, Minka went back to talking about the movie and how it was the most amazing film she had ever seen. Angelo hadn’t seen an animated movie since he was a kid, but he didn’t remember them ever being so much fun back then. Of course, he hadn’t been with Minka, either. She just seemed to make everything better.
“How long have you and Landon known each other?” she asked after the waitress had brought their food. “You must be very good friends for him to let you use his apartment and his truck, not to mention his clothes.”
Angelo chuckled as he handed her the bottle of ketchup. “Yeah, we’re more like brothers than friends. We met in army basic training fifteen years ago, then spent over a year together going through Special Forces assessment and training. We’ve been together pretty much ever since. Even now that he’s working here, we still keep running into each other. We both know that if either one of us is ever in trouble, all he has to do is call. Most of the guys on our team are like that.”
Minka was experimenting with how much ketchup it took to completely cover one of her fries. But once she had that figured out, she looked up and smiled. “Do you have any real brothers? That you were raised with, I mean?”