The Awakening

Home > Other > The Awakening > Page 52
The Awakening Page 52

by Jenna Moreci

neverheardofyou.Itrynottopollutemybrainwiththatsciencegarbage.”

  “Clearly.”

  “Sohowdoyouknow Eve?”

  “Eve?”Percychuckled.“Funny,Ithoughtweweretalkingaboutme.How

  soontheconversationchanged…”

  “Itjustdoesn’tseemlikeyoutwowouldruninthesamecircles.Yourcircle

  beingboringsciencemoney,andhercirclebeingthecesspoolofhumanity.”

  “Whatanartfullycruelandspecificmetaphor.”

  “I’vehadpractice.”

  PercyhoppedatoponeoftheglasscasesandtookaseatfacingMadison.

  “Meetingherwasbychance,really.”Heshrugged.“JasonandIaregood

  friends.”

  “Oh.”Sheglowered.“SoyoumetherthroughJason.”

  “Yes.”

  Theroombecamequiet.Madisonglaredatthefloor,herthoughtssuddenly

  preoccupied.

  “AndhereIwasworriedthisdatewouldbeawkward,”Percymuttered.

  “Howarethey?”

  “Excuseme?”

  “Howarethey…youknow, together.”Sheforcedalaughandliftedhernose intheair.“Imean,notthatIcareabouttheirrelation shit.”

  “Ofcourseyoudon’t.Whyelsewouldyoupry?”

  “Aretheytogetheralot?”

  “Ithinkyoualreadyknowtheanswertothat.”

  “Andwhenthey’renottogether,”shebegan,herlipscurledwithrepulsion,

  “doesJasonsayanythingabouther?”

  “Well,helikesherlegs.”Hesmirked.“Thatguyhasalwaysbeenalegs

  man.”

  “I don’t care about her stupid legs, God,” Madison growled. “Does he say anythingelse?AnythingaboutEve?Anythingspecific,anything…personal?”

  “Wow, Eve’s really gotten under your skin.” He stopped for a moment and mumbledunderhisbreath,“Orperhapsyoursecondskin.”

  “What?”

  “Let’schangethesubjecttosomethingalittlemorelighthearted.Like,I

  don’tknow,diamonds?”Hehoppeddownfromthedisplaycaseandcockedhis headatitscontents.“Thosesparklysuckersreallyrevmyengine,ifyouknow

  whatImean.”

  “God,youandIhave somuchincommon,”Madisonsighed.

  PercyapproachedMadison,hopinghisdebonairrefinementmaskedhistrue

  distaste for the girl. “You know, I’ve always been so impressed with your company.”

  “It’smydaddy’scompany,”shecorrected.

  “But yournameisonthebox,”heanswered,pointingatthetwinkling Madison signagehangingfromtheceiling.“Soreally,isn’titallabout you?”

  Madisonfalteredforamoment.“Well,Iguessyoucouldsaythat.”

  “Imean,lookatthisjewel.”Heclutchedhershouldersandsteeredher

  towardalargediamondinalitdisplaycase.“Thecutisremarkable,asifit

  weremoldedwithadelicate,gentletouch.”Hestoodbehindher,hisvoiceairy

  ashelightlyslidhisfingersdownherarms.“Butinactuality,ittakesastrong, firmtooltoshapethisdiamond—ittakesunrelenting control.”Hesqueezedher wrists,leaninghischinoverhershoulderuntilhislipshoveredbesideherear.

  “Thisdiamondisanimageof intensepowerandperfection,andyournameis writtenalloverit.”

  Sheletoutalong,waveringbreath.“Youare sospeakingmylanguage.”

  MadisonspunaroundandshovedPercyagainstthewall.Withaflirtatious

  grin,sheranhermanicuredfingersuphislegsandgrabbedathisupperthighs.

  “Isthataguninyourpocket,orareyoujusthappytoseeme?”

  Sheslippedherhandintohispocketandsuddenlystoppedshort;reluctantly, shepulledasleek,blackfirearmfromhispantsanddangleditintheair.

  “Oh…it isagun.”Hereyeswidened.“Youbroughta gun?”

  Percystuttered,“It—it’snothing,really.”

  “It’sa gun.”

  “Yes,we’veestablishedthatalready.”Hesnatchedtheweaponfromher

  handsandshoveditbackintohispocket.“ButIbringitwithmeeverywhere.

  So,really,whocares,right?”

  “Icare.”

  “Youshouldn’t.Infact,youshouldforgetthiseverhappened—”

  “No,”sheinterrupted,forcinghimagainstthewallyetagainwithan

  unexpectedsurgeofaggression.“Ithinkit’s sexy.”

  Hehesitated.“Sexy?”

  “Yeah,almostlikeyou’re,Idon’tknow,”shebroughtherlipsclosetohis,

  “dangerous.”

  “Oh,”hemumbled,hisbodystiff.“So,youlikedanger.Caretoelaborate?”

  “Areyoutryingtotalk dirtywithme?”

  “Moreorless.”Hepaused.“Maybeless.”Hefidgeted,attemptingtoshake

  herhandsfromhisbody.“So,thisdangeryoumentioned…Arewetalkin’

  brooding-guy-from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracksdanger,or,say,cutting-

  people-open-and-digging-through-their-gutsdanger?”

  “Excuseme?”

  “Sorry,myex’sideaofdirtytalkwasprettygraphic.Guessit’shardtoshake.”

  “Look,something’sgoingonhere.”Shebackedawayandfoldedherarms.

  “AndIthinkIknowwhatitis.”

  “Beforeyoujumptoanyconclusions—”

  “You’renervous.”

  Percywrinkledhisbrow.“Comeagain?”

  “I totally get it.” She took another step back, giving Percy the opportunity to admireher.“Imean,lookatme:I’mphysicallyflawless.Everythingyoucould

  everwantinapartner,I’vegotit.”

  Percysmiled.“Youknowmesowell.”

  “Andontopofmyimpeccablebeauty,Ihavethiswinningpersonality.”

  “Don’tforgetaboutyourhumilityandfirmgraspofreality.”

  “Whocouldblameyouforbeingnervous?You’reprobablyshakinginyour

  Italianleatherboots.”Sheletoutacondescendinggiggle.“It’sadorable.”

  “Adorable?”Hecringed.“God…”

  “Firstyou’restylishandsophisticated.Thenyou’rewealthy,likeme—

  althoughyourassociationwiththisobscurepowercompanyiskindof

  disappointing, but I guess I can live with that.” She slid her hands along the lapelsofhisblazer.“Thenyou’resomemysteriousgunslinger.Andnow…”

  She stopped, gazing into his eyes. “Well, now you’re shy. You’re like every dreamguyrolledintoone.It’s intoxicating.”

  “Funnyyoushouldmentionthat,becauseIhavetheoverwhelmingdesireto beintoxicatedrightaboutnow—”

  Beforehecouldfinish,Madisonwrappedherhandsaroundhisneck,yanked

  him forward, and kissed him firmly on the lips. Instinctively, he grabbed her armsandpushedherawayfromhisbody.

  “What?What’swrong?”sheasked.

  “Nothing,”hestammered,hisfacewhitewithshock.“JustfeelslikeI’m

  kissingagirlfortheveryfirsttime.”

  Shesighed.“Andnowyou’reboyishlyinnocent.”Herwholesomesmile

  quicklymorphedintoaseductivestare.“Iam so intoyourightnow.”

  AlumpformedinPercy’sthroat.HestaredbackatMadison,atherpiercing

  eyes,flushedskin,andtremblinglips,anddespitehowmuchthethought

  sickened him, he knew what he had to do. With a grumble in his stomach, he pulledtheheiressclosetohimandkissedher,dippingherslightlyasherbody

  becameweakinhisarms.Hesuckedandnibbledonherbottomlip,tryingto

  imaginethefeelingo
fapricklychinagainsthisownandthetasteofwhiskey

  onherbreath,buthersmoothskinandglossedlipslefthimboredandevena

  littledisgusted.Withanarduousbreath,hetuggedathersoft,lusciouslocks—

  astarkcontrastfromtheshort,roughhairhewasaccustomedto—andgave

  heronelast,forcefulkiss.

  Madisontotteredawayfromhim,herlipsstunnedtosilence.Shehastily

  adjustedherdressandfluffedherhair,andaftersheregainedwhatwasleftof

  hercomposure,shelookedbackatPercyandsmiled.

  “Iwanttogiveyousomething.”

  “Agift?Well,gosh,Iwasn’texpectinganything.”

  Shescurriedbehindtheshowroomdesk,fiddledwiththecabinets,and

  finallyreturnedwithapalm-sizedbucklecoveredinsparklingwhitediamonds.

  “It’s a Feverish Heat Diamond belt buckle,” she explained, placing it in his hand.“Oneofthebestcutswehaveinstock,andIhavethesneakingsuspicion

  thatit’llreallyaccentyour”—sheclearedherthroatandcockedherhead

  towardhisgroin—“youknow.”

  Hestareddownatthebuckle,hiseyesheavywithdisappointment.“Oh.”

  “Oh?” she hissed. “I give you an unbelievably expensive, limited-edition fashionaccessory,andallyouhavetosayis‘ Oh’?”

  “It’sbeautiful,truly,”hemuttered,tossingthebuckleontothecounter,“andI

  do appreciate the nod to my penis. But I’m not interested in one of the best. I want thebest.I’monadatewith you,afterall:surelythatprovesmystandard forexcellence.”

  Madisoncrossedherarms.“Keeptalking.”

  “Iheardarumoraboutaveryspecial,syntheticjewel.”Heleanedintoher.

  “Isittrue,whattheysay?Doyoureallyhaveashatterproofdiamondinstock?”

  “It’strue,”sheanswered,melodramatically.“TheEverlastingDiamond—it’s

  ourgreatesttreasure.”

  “Iwantone,”Percycommanded,squeezingherhandstightly.“No.I needone.”

  Madison’seyesdartedbackandforthacrosstheshowroomasagiddysmile

  spreadacrossherlips.“Youknow,I’mnotsupposedtodothis…”

  “Doit,”Percyblurted.“FortheloveofGod, doit.”

  “You’resosexywhenyou’redemanding.”Shebitherlipbeforescuttling

  across the room, disappearing out of sight into the back corner. “This is the onlyshowroominthecountrythatcarriesthese,youknow.”

  “Really?Ihadn’ttheslightestidea.”

  Madisonreturned,thistimewithasmallboxinherhand,adornedwitha

  bluevelvet“M”.SheopenedtheboxandrevealedasingleEverlasting

  Diamond.

  “Foryou.”Shebeamed.“Themostimmaculatejewelyouwilleverlayyour

  eyeson.It’sallyours.”

  Percystaredatthetwinklinggemandfeltaswellofdismayinhischest.He

  wasnowtheownerofanEverlastingDiamond— oneEverlastingDiamond.

  Hardlyenoughtomakeasinglebullet.Buthewasn’tyetreadytoadmitdefeat.

  HelookedupatMadisonandofferedheraplayfulwink.

  “God,Iloveitwhenyoutalkdiamonds.”

  Sheflippedherhairacrosshershoulderandraisedhernoseintheair.“My

  daddysaysI’mkindofamarketinggenius.”

  “You’reanatural.”Heslidthediamondintohisblazerpocketandcasually

  tookaseatatoparowofcabinets.“Infact,Idon’tthinkIcanbesatisfiedwith just oneofthesebadboys.”

  “Really?JustbecauseofwhatIsaid?”

  “Ofcourse.Canyouthinkofanyotherreason?”Hefishedhiswalletfrom

  his pants and began fanning through his credit cards. “Honestly, I’ve never beenmoreconvincedofapurchaseinmylife!”

  “Oh,Daddysaysthey’renotforsale.”

  “Daddysays?”Hehoppeddownfromtheshowroomdeskandpulled

  Madison close to him. “But this is your company. You can do whatever you want.”

  Madisonhesitated.“WhateverIwant?”

  “Whatever.You.Want.”

  Madisonwaveredforjustamomentbeforedashingbehindtheshowroom

  cabinets.“Thereisonething,”shesaid,unlockingasmallblacksafebeneath

  theregister.“Wehaveaclub—asuper-exclusiveclientlist,completely

  unknown to the public. It’s called the Crystalline Society. All members get priority access to our finest jewels.” She delicately removed a leather box fromthesafeandhurriedbacktoPercy’sside.“Normallymembershipis

  reservedforonlythemostimportantpeople:foreignroyals,A-listcelebrities,

  the mafia,” she rolled her eyes, “but since this is my company, I can make a specialexceptionforyou.”

  Sheopenedtheleatherboxandremovedasleekblackcardwithasilver

  emblemintheshapeofanold,European-cutdiamond.ShegrabbedPercy’s

  hand, separated his index finger from the rest, and pressed it against the diamondemblem.Suddenlythecard’sblackpigmentbecametranslucent,and

  allthatcouldbeseenwasaredfingerprintinthecenteroftheclearplastic.

  Thenthecolorandpatternofthecardslowlyreturnedtonormal.

  “WelcometotheCrystallineSociety—membernumbernine.”

  Percyheldthecarduptothelight,examiningitssurface.“So,howdoesthis

  work?”

  “Flashthiscardatanylocation,andthediamondworldisyouroyster.Nowait,

  nolimitations.”

  “DoesthisworkforEverlastingDiamonds,too?”

  “Anything.”MadisonsashayedclosertoPercyandsqueezedhisshoulders.

  “Youcanhavewhateveryouwant, wheneveryouwantit.”

  Percyignoredthegirl;hewastransfixedbythecard,admiringtheemblem

  andtheglossytexture.Hisfeelingsofdisgustfadedaway,replacedbyasurge

  ofpride:thetediousnessandhumiliationofthisnighthadallbeenworthit.He

  staredatthecardforasecondlonger,hardlynoticingMadisonnuzzling

  against him, and for the first time since the night began, an authentic smile gracedhislips.

  “CanIorderinbulk?”

  CHAPTER14:THEALIBI

  “Areyouready?”

  “Ofcoursewe’reready,Sancho.We’reallhere,aren’twe?”

  Eveimpatientlytappedherfootasshestaredatthediningtable,whichwas

  convenientlycoveredbyasilksheet,mostlikelyfordramaticeffect.Jason,JJ,

  andPercywereatherside—Jason’sbrowwasfurrowed,JJfeignedanairof

  indifference,andPercycasuallysippedhisbourbonwhileamusedlywatching hisfriend’swide-eyedelation.

  SanchohadcalledthisimpromptumeetinginPercy’sdormroommuch

  quickerthananyonehadexpected.Injustacoupledaysshyofaweek,hehad

  managedtoturnahastilyderivedconjectureintoreality.

  “I’vetestedthemoutand,Ihavetosay,they’reevenbetterthanI

  anticipated.” Sancho gripped the edge of the sheet, his fingers quivering with excitement. “Under this blanket is the future of weaponry—the ace up our sleeve. A development so powerful, the patrolmen could only dream of it. A toolsodynamic,Fursthimselfwouldbowdowntoourauthority—”

  “Sancho,”Jasonmoaned,“justshowusalready.”

  Sanchocowered.“There’sonethingyoushouldknow…”

  “OhGod,”Percygrumbled,“don’ttellusyouscrewedsomething
up.”

  “Ididn’t,Ipromise,it’sjust—”Sanchopausedandforcedanapologetic

  smile.“Therewasanunforeseendrawback—aminorimperfection.”

  JJsighed.“Andthatis?”

  Sanchoyankedtheblanketfromthetable,exposingaclusterofbright,

  reflectinglight.Eveshieldedhereyesasshelookeddownatthetable;shewas

  staring at a pile of Everlasting Diamonds, perfectly sculpted into bullets, and despitetheirveryseriousapplication,theyglimmeredandshinedinthemost

  beautiful,unintimidatingway.

  Sanchoshrugged.“They’rereallysparkly.”

  “Goddammit,”Percygroused.“Guessweshould’veseenthatonecoming.”

  Evepluckedasinglebulletfromthepile,studyingitsformanditspointed tip. “These bullets could be covered in glitter for all I care, so long as they work.”

  “Trustme,they’llwork,”Sanchosaid.“Withthissortoftechnology,the

  Interloperswon’tevenknowwhathit’em,andIdomeanthatliterally.”

  SanchoandEveglancedatJason,whohadremainedsilentduringthereveal.

  His eyes were fixed on another weapon resting beside the pile—an axe, long andforbidding,andwhilethecrystalclearbladeshimmeredslightly,itlooked

  farmoresinisterthanthebulletsthemselves.

  “Goahead,touchit,”Sanchoencouragedhim.“It’syours,afterall.”

  Jasonliftedtheaxefromthetable.Itfeltheavyinhishand,weigheddownby

  thegiantdiamondbladeandthesleek,blackmaterialthatmadeupthehandle.

  Heturnedtohisroommateandpointedattheglossygrip.

  “Whatisthis?”

  “Interloperbone.”Sanchogrinned,pleasedwithhiscreation.“Igotitfrom

  ourlastfight.Figureditwouldcomeinhandy.Nopunintended.”

  Jasoneyedtheweaponforasecondlonger,swingingitinfrontofhimasif

  togetafeelforit.Withanapprovingnod,hesqueezedhisfriend’sshoulder.

  “Goodwork,Sancho.Youmaybecrazy,butyou’realsokindofagenius.”

  “Wecan’tforgetaboutPercy,”Eveadded,elbowingtheheirintheribs.

  “Noneofthiswould’vebeenpossiblewithouthissmooth,charmingways.”

  Percyrolledhiseyes.“That’sme,”hemuttered,“theteamgigolo.”

  “I’dliketothinkofyouasmoreofasupplier,”Eveteased.

 

‹ Prev