by Amy Hale
Colt pulled into a parking place at Ink Spot then walked inside. A petite little blonde with a pixie cut was sitting behind the counter, showing a client her new nose ring. She saw Colt and jumped up.
“Hey, stranger. Long time no see.” She ran around the counter to give him a hug.
He gave her a smile. “Good to see you, Chastity.”
“So, where have you been? Kevin was just asking about you the other day. Still hanging out with that hot redhead?”
“Her name is Jane. Speaking of Kevin, is he in today? I need to see him.”
She nodded and walked back to the counter. Pushing a button on the phone, she spoke into the receiver. “Kevin, you’re needed up front pronto.”
A moment later, a bald man with a full white beard came walking out from the back of the shop. “What’s the rush?” He saw Colt. “I’ll be damned. It’s about time you stopped by. C’mon back.”
He led Colt back to the room he was working in. Colt took a seat in the chair while Kevin sat himself on a rolling stool.
“So, what brings you in to see this old man. Everything good?”
Colt shifted in his seat. “I’ve been worse.”
“Tell me all about it.”
“I can’t get into too much detail, but I upset Jane today. It’s a complicated situation, and to be honest, I don’t think I’m in the wrong, but I’m willing to accept the blame if it’ll smooth things over.”
Kevin smiled. “Smart man. By the way, when do I get to meet the remarkable woman that brought the elusive Colt Henderson to his knees?”
Colt rolled his eyes. “C’mon, Kevin. You know it’s not like that.”
“Oh, son, it’s exactly like that, and you’re floating down the river of denial if you believe otherwise.” Colt smiled a little, and Kevin decided to change the subject. “So, you know you gotta grovel, what does that have to do with me?”
Colt leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees. “I wanted to do something special for her. I had considered flowers, but everything is closed. She’s always been kinda fascinated with my tattoos, so I thought maybe I should get one to honor her.”
Kevin shook his head. “Boy, what do I always tell people? The fastest way to ruin a relationship is to tattoo your guy or gal’s name on yourself. It’s like a guaranteed omen you’ll break up.”
Colt laughed. “No, not her name. I want something symbolic.”
Kevin eyed him skeptically. “You sure? No doubts about her at all?”
Colt took a moment to consider the question carefully. He worried about fitting in and being accepted into her world of the gifted should she choose to make that a part of her life again. He worried about slowing her down, or worse yet compromising her safety as Jeremy suggested. And he worried that she’d someday realize she belonged with a man more like herself instead of him. But the one thing he was sure of was that he’d never regret his time spent with Jane.
He looked Kevin in the eyes. “I’m absolutely sure.”
Kevin slapped him on the back. “Your dad would be thrilled.” Colt raised one disbelieving eyebrow and Kevin explained. “I know he was all anti-relationship in front of you boys, but that was just because he didn’t want to see you get hurt. Deep down, he still believed in love.” He smiled. “So, a tat that reminds you of the little lady. What did you have in mind?”
Colt gestured for the pen and paper on the desk to Kevin’s right. Kevin handed it to him, and Colt sketched out a rough idea, explaining the little details as he sketched.
Kevin nodded thoughtfully. “I like it.”
Jane paced the living room. It’d been hours since Colt left, and he wasn’t answering his phone. Jeremy tried to assure her that he was just cooling down and would be home soon, but she was worried. She realized, several moments too late, that her chastising of Jeremy’s behavior sounded more like she sided with him than with Colt, but she hadn’t meant it that way at all. She was just trying to defuse the situation. Colt was all alpha male—something she loved, but at times it also frustrated her. Jeremy had grown to be brave and independent, with a side of sarcastic humor to cover his frustrations. And they were both protective of her. She knew she had to accept that they’d butt heads now and then.
Jeremy flipped through the T.V. channels rapidly, never landing on any one show for long. Jane was still pacing when he turned it off. “You’re gonna groove that ugly brown carpet if you don’t stop soon.”
Jane stopped and looked down. “What? This is hardwood. There’s no carpet.”
Jeremy pasted on a mischievous grin. “I know. I was just seeing if you were actually listening to me.” Then he stood, picked up a throw pillow, and launched it at her. It zoomed across the living room at incredible speed, but she caught it. “Nice reflexes for an old lady.”
She gave him a stern but teasing look. “Oh, you are so gonna pay for that.” She picked up the pillow and hurled it back at him. The force behind her throw wasn’t near as lethal, but it did hit its intended target.
Jeremy landed with a thud behind the couch. For a moment all was quiet, and she was afraid she’d actually hurt him.
“Jeremy? Are you okay?”
He didn’t make a sound, so she approached the couch cautiously. “Jeremy?”
She put one knee on the cushion and leaned over the back of the couch to look at the floor. The space where Jeremy should have been was empty. She bounced back up and turned around to see him standing directly behind her.
“That was an impressive throw.”
She pointed a finger in his face. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence with a reference to my age.”
He held up his hands in an innocent gesture. “I wasn’t going to say that, but since you mention it…”
“You are the last one that should be talking about age.”
Jeremy frowned. “Why is that?”
She was going to tease him about still being a teen, but his serious expression stopped her. Before she could think up a suitable answer, she heard the deep rumble of Colt’s Harley in the driveway. She momentarily forgot about Jeremy and ran to open the door.
Colt lowered the kickstand and turned off the engine. He moved slowly as he got off the bike then grabbed a couple of sacks from the saddle bags. His head down, he walked to the front door only to stop short when he saw her standing there.
She clasped her hands in front of her. “Hi.”
He studied her face for a moment, then replied. “Hi there.”
She seemed nervous. He hated seeing her uncomfortable so he took a few more steps until he reached her. He sat the sacks on the patio chair near the door and then pulled her to him. She nuzzled into his chest, and he closed his eyes. She hugged him tighter, and he winced, trying not to let on that her affectionate squeeze caused him some discomfort.
She pulled back. “Are you okay?”
“I am now.”
“Are you hurt somewhere?”
“A little tender. Nothing that won’t heal quickly.”
She started running her hands over his chest until she felt the outline of a bandage under his shirt. She started to pull the fabric up when he placed his hand over hers to stop her.
“Sweetheart, I promise I’m fine.”
“But you have a bandage. And you’re sore!”
He shook his head. “I got a new tattoo. It’ll be fine.”
She looked at him with wide eyes. “You said you only get tattoos if they have significant meaning to you. What happened that caused you to get one while you were gone?” She placed a hand over her mouth. “Our fight? You got something horrible about me?”
He laughed and pulled her hand away from her mouth and placed it on his own, kissing her palm. “No, baby. It’s about you, but it’s not horrible at all. I promise to show it to you soon, but for now, I’m starving. Let’s get the food I bought inside before it requires warming up.”
She nodded and retrieved the sacks from the chair while Colt opened the door for her. Once inside,
she placed the food on the counter, and Colt set the table. Jeremy stood in the kitchen doorway watching them in their domestic bliss. He’d apologize to Colt to please Jane, but he wasn’t convinced the whole situation wouldn’t come crashing down around their ears. Despite his desire to see them all live normal lives, Jeremy knew that wasn’t likely to happen any time soon. Not as long as The Curators still existed.
Jane’s nightmares were occurring with more frequency. It seemed the closer she got to finding her lost friends and The Curators, the more she suffered. She turned her head to face the alarm clock and groaned as she noted the time. She knew she wasn’t going back to sleep after the dream she’d just had and decided four AM was as good a time as any to get up and start her day.
Her bare feet padded along the cold linoleum floor as she made her way to the coffee pot. She started the machine and then turned to stare into the darkness outside the window. Her mind wandered back to the vision she’d had involving the graveyard and Colt. The fear that her quest for justice might get him killed replayed over and over in her mind. She didn’t know how to combat it. There were times when the anxiety over his fate was so strong she worried she would lose control of herself and her gifts. She’d not had much reason to use her abilities since the confrontation with Professor Russell, and to be honest, it’d taken so much out of her that she’d been hesitant to try.
The coffee pot gurgled as it started filling the carafe; it interrupted her somber speculation. She poured herself a cup and sat at the table, enjoying the silence that surrounded her. Taking a sip, she closed her eyes and tried to focus on positive thoughts. She reflected back on the day she’d learned to control her gifts and how Colt had been so supportive. That naturally led to her remembering how he’d made love to her and showed her what it meant to be cherished by someone. She smiled, and the colorful swirls started to dance behind her eyelids. Losing herself in the sensation, she allowed the feelings to intensify.
Little did she know Jeremy was up and covertly observing her from the darkened hallway. He watched in amazement as a vase of dying flowers sprang back to life. They then left their vase on the table and seemed to dance around Jane in a waltz that only they could hear. Bright, colorful petals on long green stems swayed, dipped, and spun in a perfect choreography. He wondered if she even realized she was causing it. He’d seen little of her gifts since being reunited with her, and he felt sure that since escaping she’d honed her skills in a way that no one could have expected.
He softly stepped into the kitchen and cleared his throat. Her eyes flew open, putting an immediate halt to the floral ballet. They fell to the floor with a soft thump as she blinked and Jeremy’s athletic form came into focus.
Her embarrassment at being caught showed in the blush on her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize anyone else was awake.”
He smiled and approached the table, pulling out a seat for himself. “No need to apologize. I shouldn’t have interrupted you. You looked happy. What were you thinking about?”
She tried not to blush even more as she struggled to find a tactful answer. It wasn’t just sex; it was the way Colt made her feel. “I guess I was thinking about love.”
Jeremy’s smile transformed into something akin to pain. “Love, huh? Does love exist for people like us?”
Jane frowned. “I’d like to believe it does. I had experienced it as a little girl before I was ripped away from my parents. And I think I have it now with Colt. Although, it’s a different kind of love.”
He gave her a weak grin. “I’m glad to hear it. I don’t know if I’ll ever find that. I’m so broken, Jane. I’m not sure my heart can be repaired.”
She reached across and gave his hand a squeeze. “Never lose hope, Jeremy. Hope is all we have to keep us going sometimes. Professor Russell manipulated and tortured us. His mind games were all to destroy our will and make us submissive. Hope was his greatest enemy because it meant that we still pushed forward in our fight for freedom. He’s gone. Don’t allow him to continue to steal your hope and joy. He has no power over you now.”
Jeremy nodded in understanding. He gave her hand a return squeeze. “I’m so glad you found me, Jane. I need you more than I realized.”
Colt walked in at that moment and rubbed a hand over his sleepy face. “Why are you two up at this unholy hour?”
Jane stood up and moved to stand in front of him, then wrapped her arms around his muscled torso, carefully avoiding the tender tattooed area over his right pectoral. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. That’s when he noticed the flowers all over the floor.
“Are those the carnations I got you from a couple of weeks ago?”
She nodded.
Colt smirked. “They look pretty good considering they were more or less dead yesterday.”
Jeremy started to chuckle quietly and Jane couldn’t help but join him. She bent down and started picking up the flowers, placing each one back in the vase. Colt helped, and soon they had everything back in place.
Colt poured himself a cup of coffee and joined them at the table. “I talked to Dr. Weston last night. He’d like to meet for brunch today if you two are up for it. He has some suggestions about finding the others.”
Jane was enthusiastic about the meeting. She felt they were finally making progress. She also hadn’t seen Dr. Weston for a couple of weeks. Since being kidnapped at age twelve, he was the closest thing she’d had to a true father figure. She adored him, and he doted on her like she was his own.
Jeremy seemed indifferent to the idea, but Colt and Jane understood that he was still battling his inclination to distrust people. She believed he would eventually come around, and she felt sure he’d love Dr. Weston as much as she did.
She tried to reassure him. “Jeremy, you’ll like Dr. Weston. He’s brilliant, but very down to Earth. At times, he’s even a little goofy. And he genuinely cares about us. You’ll see that at brunch.”
Jeremy nodded but didn’t comment further. Her heart ached for the little boy who’d been betrayed by the very adults he’d once trusted. No child should ever go through such personal treason. Yet he had. They all had. No one had stood up for them when they needed help the most. As long as she had the breath in her lungs to fight, she wasn’t going to allow that to continue. It was time to take that stand, and finding the organization’s new location was the first step of a long journey to get her there.
It was almost ten AM when they all met up at a quaint little outdoor cafe in the town square. The historic area housed a variety of eateries and specialty shops as well as a small art museum. At sunrise, vendors could be seen setting up colorful carts and kiosks in the middle of the tree-lined square. The centerpiece of the area was a small but elegant fountain. Normally there would be water flowing from numerous spouts and colored lights making the water vary from one hue to another.
On that particular fall day, the fountain had already been drained and prepped for the cold winter ahead. The sun was shining, giving some welcome warmth to an only slightly chilly morning. It was warm enough that most of the street vendors were still in attendance, and shoppers were enjoying the last few days of pleasant weather before large coats and gloves were considered required attire. Jane, Colt, Jeremy, and Dr. Weston sat around a small round table and enjoyed their warm beverages as they talked.
Dr. Weston was as jovial as ever. “It’s so good to finally meet you, Jeremy. Jane has told me a good deal about you.” His smile was warm and welcoming.
Jeremy had to agree with Jane. It was hard not to like the old man. “It’s good to meet you too, sir. I’m very glad Jane found you, or you guys found her, as the case may be.”
Jane laughed. “I think it’s a little of both.”
Colt sat in silence, listening but also watching their surroundings carefully. He’d felt on edge all morning, and he couldn’t understand why. He continued to scan the square, unsure what he was actually looking for, when Jane interrupted his thoughts.
�
��Colt? Are you listening?”
“Sorry, got lost in thought there for a moment. What did you say?”
“I wanted to know what you thought of Dr. Weston’s idea?”
“Idea?”
She rolled her eyes. “You need more coffee.” Then she gave him a wink. “Dr. Weston was saying that he has a P.A. friend that visits various medical clinics and homeless shelters within a 100-mile radius. He mentioned a couple of odd visitors that came to a clinic seeking help, but got jumpy when he asked questions and fled. He suspects they may be holed up in one of the old hotels that’s been scheduled for demolition this spring.”
Colt looked thoughtful. “That sounds about right. What do you think, Jeremy?”
Jeremy appeared surprised that Colt valued his input. “Uh, yeah. I mean, that’s what I did. The less people know we exist, the better off we are.”
Colt pulled out the map he’d brought with him. “Where and when did this happen, Doc?”
Dr. Weston pulled the map toward him and looked it over. He put his pudgy finger on Owensboro, Kentucky. “It’s roughly thirty miles from here. It’s a big enough place to hide easily.”
Colt nodded. He’d been there a few times and was somewhat familiar with the area. “I think it’s a good place to start.”
Dr. Weston took a sip of his coffee and pulled some paperwork from his attaché case. He pushed them across to Colt. “I dug these out of some of that old research I was looking through. There are two abandoned facilities in Tennessee that might fit the description in Jane’s vision. These were both off-the-record compounds that housed the paranormal research my colleagues were conducting. Unlike The Curators, they were ethical despite being secretly funded by the government. But when it was realized that those specific studies weren’t profitable, the programs were shut down.” He took another sip. “I circled the coordinates for you.”