“Oh, don’t you worry, there’s more to come.” He smiled, running his hand down my back and pulling me against him.
“I don’t just want you to hand me some pill or powder. I want to see how it’s made.”
“Why?” Cameron frowned.
“Because you make it sound so interesting. I never thought I would be into Chemistry, but then I met you...and you’re just so fascinating and amazing.” I ran my finger down his chest, following the line of buttons. “I just thought it’d be really cool if you could show me one of the college labs or something. Just so I could see another part of you.”
I tried to go for puppy dog eyes, hoping they’d be persuasive.
A smirk rested on his lips. I pulled his mask off and saw the reluctance, though. He either didn’t want to get himself in trouble at the college or he didn’t want Prof H finding out he’d taken some girl to his lab.
“What’s wrong? Are you not allowed to take me there? Worried you’ll get in trouble?” I licked the edge of my mouth, feeling like a slut, but happy it worked.
He hated the idea of being a coward. Another layer down and I could tell by his expression that he’d most likely spent his school days being bullied and pushed around. He had something to prove and UCLA had given him the confidence to do it.
“I’ve got a better lab I can show you.” His voice was husky and deep. “At my place.”
“Your place?” I forced a grin.
“Yeah.” His hands moved to my lower back. “But you’d have to keep it a secret.”
“I like secrets.”
“I’m sure you do.” He ground his hips against mine and I could feel his hard-on.
It took every ounce of will power not to let my revulsion show. I held my breath and put on a smile.
“Maybe later, you could show me some secrets of your own.” He grabbed my butt and gave it a little squeeze, lowering his lips to mine so fast it caught me off-guard. My first instinct was to pull away, but I couldn’t give myself away, so I squeezed my eyes shut and pretended I was kissing Eric.
It was so not the same. Eric’s kisses were divine. Cameron was a slobbering mess and I wanted to gag. Getting desperate, I pushed at his chest.
“You better hurry up and get me to your place. I have got to see this lab,” I said my last few words in a smoky whisper, implying all the wrong things...things he was on fire to hear.
His lop-sided grin and deranged titter told me I’d won him over on that one. He grabbed my hand and practically yanked me down the street toward his place.
We reached his door and he was on me again. One hand grabbed my breast while the other went for my butt again. I turned away to hide my cringe as he pushed me through the door.
“Slow down,” I breathed. “Let me catch my breath.” I pulled away from him and saw the doubts cresting over his face.
I giggled and brushed my teeth over my bottom lip, looking at him as if I wanted to strip his clothes off.
His misgivings skittered away and he stepped toward me again. I skipped back with a little laugh and put the couch between us, going for playful.
He looked to be enjoying it, but if I dragged this out for too long, he’d just get pissed.
“So, where’s this lab?”
He was disappointed; the lab was the last thing he wanted to talk about. I forced myself not to swallow.
“I want to see your genius. It’s um...” I ran my finger along the couch, playing coy. “It’s kind of a turn-on.”
Shrugging out of his jacket, he threw it on the back of the leather armchair and indicated with a flick of his head for me to follow him.
I took the hand he was offering and let him lead me down the corridor to the garage. Grabbing a key from above the doorframe, he unlocked the thick padlock on the door and opened it.
I couldn’t stop my gasp. In an effort to hide my initial reaction, I pasted on a look of pure adoration and stepped down into the concrete space. Metal trestle tables were lined up neatly with gas cookers burning. I glanced around the edges of the garage and noticed bottles of water, stacks of prescription drugs, and bags of other material.
Things were bubbling and brewing, sending steam up glass tubes and dripping down into beakers, just like I’d seen at the cabin.
“This is amazing.” I smiled at Cameron, trying to move slowly so the camera on my neck could catch as many details as possible.
“You can’t tell anyone,” he cautioned.
“Why not?”
“Well, I don’t want to reveal anything yet. I don’t want anyone to steal my ideas.”
I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “You don’t have to worry about me. There’s no way I’m smart enough to come up with stuff like this.” I moved to one of the tables and pointed at the vials of liquid. “So, this is the special stuff that can give me a boost?”
“Yeah. It’ll be a real kick, give you the energy you need. And the best part is, you’re not breaking the law.”
I grinned and bit my lip. “Are there any bad side effects?”
“Only if used improperly,” he muttered, avoiding my gaze. “I’m still refining the formula. Once it’s perfect, I hope to sell it as a safe and legal drug for college students.”
“How are you testing it? On rats or something?” My giggle was so forced, I was sure it sounded off. They were testing these drugs on the players!
He laughed with me then pulled me back toward the door. “You’ve seen my secrets. Now it’s time you show me yours.”
His suggestive leer made my skin crawl and I paused at the steps, hoping Kaplan and her team would burst through the door.
I’d found the lab, so what were they waiting for?
“I want more,” Kaplan whispered in my ear. “Get him talking about Hoffman. Get him to incriminate Bleekman. We need to tie the drugs to the gambling.”
My insides sank as I followed Cameron back down the hallway and into the living room.
“So, does anyone else know about your master plan?”
“Nope.” He shook his lying head.
“Come on, really? I’m the only one?”
Cameron wiggled his eyebrows.
“I don’t know if I believe you, Cameron Darby.”
His crazed snicker filled the air and a slow dread seeped into my core as he stepped in front of me. Kaplan wanted more and she wasn’t coming in until I got it.
“A genius like you can’t just hide his talents from the world, you know.”
Cameron smiled at me, grabbing my hand and yanking me toward him. “I’m not just a genius in the lab.”
His lips were on me before I could even flinch, his arms wrapped around me so tightly I didn’t have a chance to pull away.
I pushed against his chest, twisting my neck to get a little breathing room while trying not to make him think I didn’t want this. It was damn near impossible.
“Come on, Cameron, stop. This is going a little too fast for me,” I managed before his lips blocked my flow of words.
“I know you want it, Caity.” He sucked my bottom lip. “You’ve been sending me vibes since I met you. Stop messing with me.” His eyes filled with fire as he crushed his lips back on mine, his fingers yanking my shirt out of my jeans and wriggling underneath. As his cold touch ascended my back, fear spiked through my belly.
How the hell was I supposed to get more before things went too far with Cameron?
Was Eric listening to this? Would he come in to save me?
The image of Kaplan restraining him in the van was vivid, and I had a sinking feeling I was on my own.
35
Eric
The catch in Caity’s voice made me explode from my chair. All I could see was Cameron’s shirt smooshed against the camera in her pendant.
“Just slow down. Let’s take this slow,” Caity tried again.
“I’ve always liked things fast and hectic. It’s more of a thrill ride.” Cameron chuckled.
I swear I heard Caity whimper and I could
n’t take it. I whipped off the headphones and threw them onto the narrow counter. They clattered against the bottom screen, earning me a few evil glares from the tech guys. One of them passed them back with a silent warning.
I snatched them out of his grasp and turned back to Kaplan. “Are you going to do something about this!”
“I need more. We’ve got the lab, but we may as well try for Hoffman too. He’s the ringleader. All I need is one statement and then we’ll go in.”
“He’s mauling her!” I pointed at the screen.
Kaplan gave me a sidelong glance before returning her eyes back to the screen. “She’ll be fine. Just give her some time to do her thing.”
“You told her you wouldn’t let it go too far,” Detective Sullivan muttered.
Kaplan ignored him.
With a growl, I stepped forward and got in her face. “She’s not an agent. She’s not trained for this!”
“She’s got a little something going for her.” Kaplan’s eyes narrowed as they assessed me. “You know that already, don’t you?”
“You need to get her out of there.” My jaw clenched so tight, I could barely say the words.
Kaplan twisted back in her seat with a sigh and pushed the mic closer to her lips. “Caitlyn, just stay calm and get him to talk.”
Hot breaths spurted through my nose and I had to cross my arms to stop from punching Kaplan in the face. Her sharp little nose twitched.
I heard a murmur and snatched up the headphones.
“So, who will you tell, once the formula’s finished? Surely you’ll let Professor Hoffman in on it, won’t you? He’d love it for his study group.”
Cameron chuckled and the tendons in my neck pinged tight. “Enough talking, Caity.”
Her breath hitched and I wanted to rip my heart out as Cameron stepped back and pulled off his shirt.
I threw the headphones onto my chair and paced to the door of the van. He was too big for her. She wouldn’t be able to stop this from happening. I could picture his hands sliding up her legs, his long fingers forcing them apart.
With a choke, I threw the van doors open and jumped out.
“Shore, get your ass back in this van!” Kaplan’s eyes were on fire.
I met her gaze head-on. “If you’re not going to get her out, then I will.”
Slamming the door before she could even move, I raced away from the vehicle, darting across the street and around the corner to Cameron’s place. I glanced over my shoulder, ready to run for it, when a sound suddenly stopped me.
With a frown, I turned back toward the house and spotted Professor Hoffman standing on the footpath looking at me. His friendly smile was in place, although now that I knew it wasn’t real, it didn’t hold as much meaning.
“Eric? What are you doing here?”
I had to scramble for an idea. I could blow this whole thing. All of Caity’s hard work would be for nothing. But I had to get Caity out of there. If I walked by now and let Hoffman into the house without me, I’d have no chance of saving her.
“I—I think my girlfriend’s cheating on me. I...” Running my hands through my hair, I went for sheepish, forcing my lips into a half-smile. “I saw her on a date with this guy and followed them here.”
“She’s inside?” The professor couldn’t hide his frown. I could see how pissed he was and the effort it took for him to cover the emotion.
“I think so.” I shrugged. “I don’t know what I’m doing really. I just want to confront her, find out what the hell is going on.”
“Well, come on in then.” Professor Hoffman stretched out his arm and beckoned me to follow him. “I’m so sorry this is happening. I hope it’s all a big misunderstanding.”
“Me too,” I mumbled as I followed him up the path. “How do you know this guy?”
“Oh, he’s one of my post-grad students. He helps me run my little study group.”
“Cool.” I nodded.
My lips scrunched in an attempt to smile, but thankfully he turned away before he saw it.
The professor knocked once on the door and nudged it open. I followed him inside and closed the door behind me, making sure it stayed unlocked so the FBI could bust in at any moment. Finding Hoffman and Cameron together was perfect. Kaplan would get what she wanted and I could get Caity the hell out of there.
I stepped through the entrance way and into the living room.
Cameron had Caity on the couch. He was basically dry humping her while she squirmed beneath him. I saw red and let out a low growl as I stepped toward Cameron, ready to knock the living shit out of him.
I raised my hands to push him off the couch. Once I had him on the floor, I’d jump on top of him and start punching. I didn’t even think Caity could stop me this time.
My hands hit his back at the same moment a pain shot through my skull. Stars spotted my vision and my limbs turned to loose elastic before I crumpled to the floor.
36
Caitlyn
Cameron jumped off me. I lurched up, pulling my shirt back into place and wanting to do a heebie-jeebies dance. Cameron’s touch and taste were still all over me and the urge to throw up was overwhelming. Scrambling away from him, I peeked over the edge of the sofa and nearly screamed.
It took all my self-control not to launch over the couch and kneel down beside Eric. I wanted to collect his head into my lap and check that he was okay, but all I could do was sit on the couch and stare wide-eyed as Professor Hoffman’s face morphed into that of a monster’s.
“What the hell is she doing here? You don’t bring girls here!” The professor threw his hands up.
“It was— It was just a date.” Cameron stuttered.
Hoffman snatched Cameron’s shirt off the floor and threw it at him.
“Take them and screw them somewhere else! You don’t bring them to a place of business.”
“It never used to be a place of business,” Cameron retorted.
The professor shot him a dark look and the chem student looked suitably reprimanded as he pulled his shirt back on.
Hoffman’s eyes landed on me. His look could melt the flesh off my bones. I shrunk away from him as he approached me.
“Your boyfriend was looking for you.”
I swallowed and nodded as he pointed at the floor.
“Boyfriend?” Cameron’s face wrinkled in anger.
“Ex—ex-boyfriend,” I quickly muttered. “We broke up a few days ago.”
My eyes darted to the floor, then back up to Cameron. His mask was already off and I could see the mix of rage and hurt.
I gave him a soft smile. “When I met you, I knew I couldn’t be with him anymore. I liked you too much and I just...it took me a little while to summon up the courage to dump him. He can get mad when he wants to.”
I rose from the couch and moved around it, so I could get a better view of Eric. His eyes remained closed and his floppy body told me he was completely out of it. I just hoped he wasn’t dead. Blood matted the back of his head where the professor had hit him with the butt of his gun.
Gun!
Shit, I hadn’t even noticed it until now.
I swallowed and stepped away from the two men.
“What does she know?” The professor extracted the clip from his gun and checked the bullets. Shoving the magazine back into place, he looked at Cameron.
The lanky student stared at the ground, his lips working overtime as he tried to keep them pressed together.
The professor let out a sigh and raised the gun at me.
“Don’t point that gun at me. Please.” I hoped Kaplan would hear my desperate words and come charging in. But she wanted more.
The professor’s first mask hid hardly anything, so I peeled away another. I saw no guilt, but there was a touch of anxiety skirting the edges of his anger. He didn’t want to get caught. Although that was pretty obvious, his mask-less face told me he’d do anything not to get caught.
I raised my hands. “I won’t tell anyone. I think wha
tever it is you guys are doing is amazing. I mean...” I lowered my gaze and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “Cameron brought me here, because I want in.”
“You want in?” The professor sounded skeptical.
I kept my eyes on his face and cleared my throat, trying to mask my terror.
“Cameron’s a genius. That’s why I’m falling for him. What he can do just blows my mind, and I think you’re really smart to harness that. I don’t know what you’re using all these natural ingredients for, but I’d love to be a part of it.” I bit my bottom lip, hoping he wouldn’t taste the lie.
His face told me he hadn’t yet, so I kept going. “Professor, like so many students at UCLA, I think you’re amazing and I would love to work with you and Cameron on whatever you have going on.”
I didn’t shift my gaze, keeping it locked with Hoffman’s. His eyes narrowed at the corners and the gun remained trained on me.
Where the hell was Kaplan?
He eyed me wearily, his gaze traveling over my body. I went for a coy smile, hoping he’d find it attractive. What was it with these animals and sex? Is that all they thought women were good for?
“I thought you didn’t like me. Caitlyn, right? You’re in my Psych 101 class.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I never got warm vibes from you.” His fingers danced on the pistol as he stepped around Eric and approached me.
“Well, I obviously was seeing the wrong things.” I smiled. “Now that I know what you’re capable of...” I raised my eyebrows and shrugged, adding a blushing smile to the mix.
It worked.
Power. That was what fed him.
I saw it flash across his face, followed by a wave of pleasure. He liked being in control.
I had to play on it.
“You’re a powerful man...and I think that’s what makes you so attractive.” I bit my bottom lip.
Cameron flinched in the background, muttering a curse as the professor slowly smiled.
“So, tell me what you’re into and I’ll join you.”
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