Switch (New World Series)

by Janelle Stalder

  “This is my table,” McKay said.

  Dinah cocked a brow. “So no one can sit here but you?”

  McKay laughed with a slight hint of embarrassment. “I never said that, but I guess they usually leave it empty in case I come by.”

  That was strange, she decided. He pulled out a chair and motioned for her to sit. That was also strange. It was like they were on an actual date, which they weren’t. Enemies didn’t date. And yet, McKay was being considerably nicer to her than he had the night before after practically ignoring her the entire time. Was it because his friends weren’t there to see it?

  He pulled out the chair beside her, letting his long legs stretch out. A waitress arrived just then to place two pints of beer on the table. She smiled shyly at McKay before walking away.

  “What do you think?” McKay asked, his voice near her ear. Dinah turned to find his face inches from hers.

  She let her eyes roam over his face slowly. “Amazing,” she answered. Was that breathy voice hers? She should have been mortified, but the way his entire body tensed and his eyes heated had her pulse racing, and all she could do was stare back. She had been referring to the bar – hadn’t she? Maybe she should clarify that. She licked her lips, the air suddenly overly warm and dry, but whatever she was about to say froze in her lungs as she watched his eyes follow the trail of her tongue. She cleared her throat. “How did you get the black eye?” she asked, changing the topic. The energy between them was more than she could handle. It felt like she was about to combust at any moment, and yet she couldn’t look away to break the connection.

  “I had a bit of a disagreement last night,” he answered in a low voice.

  She failed at her attempt to smile lightly. Licking her lips again, his eyes glued to the motion, she said, “I bet you get in a lot of disagreements.”

  He chuckled, his voice husky. “I bet the same could be said for you.”

  “I don’t walk away from my disagreements with a black eye,” she countered.

  “That would definitely be a shame.”

  Her face felt like it had burst into flames. Was that some sort of round about compliment? Were they flirting? Oh God! She didn’t even know! How utterly lame was that?

  “Were they soldiers?” she asked. Wrong question apparently. McKay sat up straighter, moving his gaze to the stage, effectively breaking their connection. She felt the loss immediately, while at the same time finally felt like she could take a decent breath.

  “No,” he answered stiffly. Okay…she had no idea what she said wrong or why his mood changed, but she wasn’t about to press the subject. She didn’t know McKay, and wasn’t about to test his limits. She really wanted the night to go well so he’d welcome her back. So you can do your job, she reminded herself. Not so you can just hang out with him more. Right.

  “I really love live music,” she said, changing the subject again. She looked up at the band playing. If only she could play an instrument. Maybe if she had learned, she wouldn’t be so bored in her room back at headquarters all the time. Dinah could feel McKay looking at her again, so she turned her head slightly. He was smiling appreciatively, his face and body relaxing once more.

  “I’m glad you said that,” he said.

  “Oh? Why?”

  He winked, picking up his glass to take a sip of beer. “You’ll see,” was his only answer.

  They watched the band play while they drank, him taking gulps, her tiny sips. She really did not enjoy the taste of beer. When the song ended everyone cheered and then the singer looked right at their table, his face split into a smile.

  “We got a real treat for you all tonight,” the singer announced. “Mr. Pete McKay is here with us.” Everyone clapped and hollered. She looked over to find Pete grinning from ear to ear. He lifted his hand in a quick wave at everyone as they continued to whistle and cheer. His eyes met hers and he sent her another wink before getting up and walking to the stage.

  What the…? Dinah watched, stupefied, as McKay grabbed an acoustic guitar from the side of the stage and strode confidently up to the mic.

  “Ah! We made it just in time.”

  Dinah jumped at the voice. Seamus plopped down in the seat McKay had just vacated. Garrett and Trent dragged two more chairs to the table, each settling in like this was a normal thing for them.

  “And how are we, this fine evening?” Seamus said to her.

  “Fine, thank you,” she answered.

  “Drinking like a fish again, I see,” Seamus commented, looking at her barely touched drink. Garrett laughed while Dinah smiled sheepishly. Apparently they noticed her dislike for the stuff. She reached for the glass, taking a larger gulp than normal just to prove a point, keeping her face neutral as she swallowed the bitter liquid.

  “You almost managed to do that without looking like you want to spit it out,” Trent chuckled. “Nice try.”

  Dinah laughed and shrugged. “The stuff is awful, what can I say?”

  “You get used to it,” Seamus said.

  The strumming of a guitar caught her attention again, and she looked back at the stage to see McKay sitting on a stool that had suddenly appeared, the guitar resting on his knee. Their eyes met, the room and everyone in it disappearing for that brief moment. He looked down at the guitar and started to play.

  She knew the song instantly. It was an old song from the early two thousands, but one she was familiar with. She couldn’t remember the name, something about a scientist perhaps? Something like that, she knew. McKay’s voice started the first verse, and all her breath left her. His eyes were closed as he played an acoustic version, his voice hitting the high notes effortlessly. Goose bumps rose along her arms. Sitting there, watching him play in front of a captured audience, Dinah would never have suspected he’d be a part of the resistance. He didn’t look like a rebel. He looked like a young man losing himself in a piece of music, cut off from the horrors of today’s world. Save for the black eye.

  Her eyes watched his fingers move over the strings, moving up to look at the tattoos covering his thick arms. She was lost in his every movement and sound, and didn’t snap out of it, even when he finished the song, until the room finally broke out into applause. He gave one of his quick waves before starting a new song, another familiar one. She knew this one well, her father being a huge fan of the Beatles like most Londoners. McKay sang the lyrics to ‘I’ve Just Seen A Face’, some people singing along with him, a few getting up to dance to it, but all Dinah could do was stare.

  When he spoke of dreaming of her, his eyes met Dinah’s before looking away again. Every word in the song had her head spinning. Had he picked this song for her? Was there meaning behind it? Or was she completely off her rocker? What if McKay had absolutely no interest in her at all, while she was sitting here dissecting his performance like he was singing it just to her? Geez, she could possibly be a bigger loser than she thought, she realized.

  The song ended and he went straight into another one, this time with the band playing behind him. Seamus stood and walked around the table to stand in front of her with his hand out. She looked at it curiously before lifting her gaze to his.

  “Well come on,” he urged. “Let’s go dance.”

  He wanted to dance? She had never danced with anyone before. This night was slowly taking a dive for the worse. She must have hesitated too long, because Seamus growled in frustration and simply yanked her out of the seat, dragging her to the dance floor. She found it funny that he treated her so casually. If he knew who she really was, he’d probably be terrified. What a difference a mask can make. She stood awkwardly in front of him, crowded by the other dancers.

  “Uh…Seamus?”

  “What’s the matter?” he asked, wrapping his arm around her waist and grabbing her right hand.

  “I’ve never…” She couldn’t even say it, it was so embarrassing. Seamus seemed to get it though, and his face morphed into a look of understanding.

  “You’re never danced before?” he fil
led in. Dinah nodded, biting her bottom lip nervously. “Well you’re in luck then, because you’re looking at the best dance instructor on this side of the ocean.”

  That got a smile out of her and she relaxed fractionally in his hold. “Is that so? Says who?”

  “Says me.” He smiled proudly. “Just follow my lead.”

  They danced to three songs, McKay’s voice filling the bar with its smooth, husky tone. Dinah laughed so much her stomach actually started to hurt. Seamus twirled her around, completely oblivious to anyone else around them. Garrett even joined them during the second song, cutting in to drag her through the moves. She felt completely uncoordinated and awkward and yet she was having more fun than she could ever remember having.

  A new voice took over, starting another country song that had more people moving to the dance floor. Garrett had moved on to another partner while Seamus continued to swing her around. Sweat dripped down her back, but she hardly noticed.

  “My turn,” a familiar voice demanded behind her. Seamus stepped back as McKay took his spot, his hands moving to the spots where Seamus’ had been. It felt completely different when McKay held her waist and hand. He pulled her right up against his body and she felt herself flush even more. They didn’t speak as he led them into the dance. Dinah followed his lead, trying her best to ignore the heat coming off of him. “Having fun?” he whispered in her ear. She nodded. “Good,” was his only reply as he continued to hold her throughout the song.

  When it was over, they joined the rest of them back at the table and finished their drinks before deciding it was time to leave. Dinah followed them out, pushing her way through the crowd. McKay reached back and grabbed her hand like he had at the beginning of the night. It was starting to feel normal to her, and that was a little scary. You can’t keep him, she reminded herself. This was just a job. A job that was getting increasingly difficult.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Jack watched the group leave, his eyes following the girl closely. The similarities between her and the young girl he used to know were staggering. But her name hadn’t been Dinah. That’s what was making him second guess himself. If it was her, why would she give a different name? And how would Pete not recognize her? He was close with that family, there was no way he wouldn’t see it too.

  Maybe he was wrong then, he thought. It was possible the two just looked a lot alike. It was just…it nagged at him. He always trusted his gut, and right now his gut was telling him something was definitely off. He tried ignoring it the whole night, but every time he looked at her it was there. He needed to find out if it was possible. He didn’t know the implications if it was her, but he knew it couldn’t be good.

  “I’m going to step out for a sec,” he told Tracey, the other bartender working. He walked outside and stepped into the darkened doorway of the bakery next door. Taking a quick look around, just to be sure, he pulled out the cell phone hidden in his pocket and keyed in the General’s number. Jack wasn’t technically part of the resistance. Not that he wasn’t a rebel at heart, but his son, Xavier, was a New World army soldier, and because of that, Jack could never be part of the inner circle. But he and Douglas Hatcher had been friends for years. Their homes used to be across the street from each other, and their kids had grown up together.

  It was Jack who had gotten Douglas on his boat in time, before the army raided. Because of that, Douglas had always promised to be a phone call away, despite Xavier’s choices. The thought of Xavier hurt just like it always did. It was why Jack tried not to think of his son at all. They’d been estranged for years now, and every day was as fresh and painful as the last. After three rings a voice picked up.

  “Is Douglas there?” Jack said.

  “He’s unavailable at the moment,” the voice replied. “I’ll have him call you back. Name?”

  “Tell him it’s Jack,” he answered. “And tell him it’s important he calls me as soon as he can.”

  “Will do.” The line clicked off. Jack shoved the phone back into his pocket and went back into his bar. He’d talk to his old friend and figure out what’s going on, because his gut told him it was Charlotte he’d just seen, and he had no idea how she was still alive five years later, hooked on the arm of Pete McKay.

  How was it, something so wrong, for many reasons, could feel so completely right? Pete held Dinah’s tiny hand in his as he followed his brothers and Seamus out of Jack’s Beanstalk. It felt right having her there with him, holding onto her like he had when they danced, looking out at the crowd while he sung, seeing her sitting there listening to him. Everything felt – complete. Did he believe in love at first sight? No. He was no hopeless romantic. But he did believe in there being one person out there meant for you, and crazy or not, he was starting to wonder if Dinah might be it for him.

  They hardly knew each other. This was the third time he’d seen her, but it just felt so natural. It was frightening really. If his friends knew how he was feeling they’d laugh at him for it. Pete was not a sentimental man by any means. The fact that he was even spending a second night with Dinah was already at odds with his usual behaviour. He needed to sort this out, and fast, before someone got hurt. Because as much as things felt right, he knew the chance of them being together wasn’t possible.

  The group of them walked down the empty streets, the air much cooler than it had been inside the pub. Dinah walked beside him, talking to Garrett, her hand still in his. None of the guys said anything about them holding hands, and she hadn’t made a move to remove it. Who knew holding a girl’s hand would have him so messed up in the head. Dinah’s laughter was mixing with Trent’s over what Garrett had said, Seamus was lost in his own world, and Pete was too focused on the sound of her laughter than anything so he didn’t notice the group that stepped out from an alley at first until he heard one clear their throat.

  Soldiers.

  Pete stopped, forcing Dinah to follow suit. The others noticed the group of five New World army soldiers all at the same time.

  “Shit,” Garret, “Great,” Seamus, “Crap,” Trent. Dinah remained quiet.

  “Where are you lot heading off to then?” one of them called out.

  “Home,” Trent answered. “What’s it to you?”

  The soldiers all looked at each other, grinning wolfishly. “What’s it to me? I’m protecting the streets, don’t you know? It’s our job to make sure none of you lowers cause any problems.”

  “Mate,” Pete scoffed. “The only problem in this street right now is you.” Dinah squeezed his hand in warning. He squeezed back, keeping his focus on the soldiers.

  “Is that so? Well I think we need to do a search. Make sure none of you hooligans are carrying any illegal weapons.”

  Crap. Pete guessed all of them were carrying guns.

  “How about you just let us go home, and save us all the trouble?” Seamus suggested.

  “It’s no trouble for us,” another one answered.

  “It will be,” Garrett said. “Trust me.”

  Dinah turned to him, pressing into his arm. He was standing in front of five of his enemies, darkness all around them, danger an almost guarantee, and yet he was still extremely aware of the feeling of her body pressed to his. He had problems.

  “McKay,” she hissed softly. “Don’t do this, please. Isn’t there a way we can just turn and leave?”

  He looked down at her. She had no idea what it was like on their streets “Dinah, they’re not just going to let us turn and go. This is how they are.” He leaned in closer. “And I’m guessing all of us are packing heat, so this is only going to get uglier.”

  “Something wrong with your pet?” the first speaker called out. “Why don’t you come over here, darling, and I’ll keep you safe.”

  Pete actually laughed, genuinely amused. He didn’t even need to look at Dinah’s face to know this guy was about to get what was coming to him. “Mate,” he shook his head, “you have no idea who you’re talking to.”

  Dinah let go of his hand, a
nd walked slowly toward the soldiers. Trent made a move to stop her but Pete shook his head subtly. She didn’t need their help. The soldiers all smiled as she approached, watching her. It took every ounce of discipline for Pete not to shoot them right then. She stopped just before the speaker. Pete couldn’t hear what was being said, but when her hand flew up, the heel of her palm smashing into the man’s nose, all he could do was laugh. The man fell to his knees clutching his face.

  The four other soldiers drew their guns, Pete and the boys following. The New World assholes were alternating their barrels between Dinah and them.

  “Stop!” Pete yelled. “Nobody shoot!” His heart was pounding. If one of them pressed the trigger he was too far to help her.

  The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Dinah, however, stood calmly amongst the chaos, her back straight, hands loose at her side. She hadn’t even bothered to pull her weapon, which he knew she had tucked away somewhere. She wasn’t the type to go out without one. She crouched down in front of the man still moaning and groaning about his face. Pete hated whiners.

  “What should we do?” Seamus hissed.

  “Wait,” Pete said. “Let her handle this.”

  “This is not good, Petey,” Trent murmured. “I don’t like where this is headed.”

  “Trust me,” Pete assured him. “Just let her do her thing.” Inwardly he prayed she actually did know what she was doing, because if she didn’t this night was going to get really bloody.

  “What’s your name?” Dinah asked, keeping her voice low.

  “Screw you, bitch,” he snapped, removing his hands from his face. Dinah clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

  “Fine,” she said calmly. “I’ll find out for myself.” She pushed into his head, finding the information as easy as picking a stone up off the street. “Gregory is it?”

  The man stilled, his eyes going wide. The others began to shift uncomfortably around her. She could hear their thoughts, all of them confused and anxious. Seems the boys had been drinking on the job, and were seriously starting to question this whole plan. Looks like beating up lowers wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, Dinah mused.