01

by Unknown

  “I took a big risk coming here today. Why don’t you trust me?”

  She looked away, but then her eyes flickered back to mine. “Are you working for the Gov, or are you with us?”

  “What? Hasn’t Guy told you?”

  She shook her head. “Guy hasn’t had time to tell me much of anything, but I saw you.

  Oh, never mind.”

  “You saw me somewhere? You mean you were following me.”

  She looked away again. I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or offended.

  “Look, I don’t have time to explain right now, but Guy and I, we’ve got this under control. And I understand congratulations are in order?” To my surprise, her eyes teared up.

  “What’s wrong? You are engaged, aren’t you?” I reached for her hand. “Impressive. Is it an antique?”

  She laughed a little and then shook her head. “I never get to see him anymore, not without the world watching. And there are all these rules! I’m not used to following rules.

  I’m used to breaking them! And big things are coming, but I don’t have all the information.”

  I reached out to hug her, and Keira leaned against my chest. “Hang in there. I’m sure you’ll continue to break the rules. It seems to be in your nature.” I let go then and backed away. “I have to go. I have a meeting with Guy. Please, tell Aimee I miss her.”

  -Aimee-

  Broken Trust

  Hisoka posed in the same position as the figure from my earlier painting, the figure of the man who looked nothing like him. Today’s picture was different. Today, I couldn’t get Hisoka Watanabe out of my mind. I liked him, but could I trust him? We all knew he worked for the Gov. He’d been honest about that from the start. But he never said he’d been assigned to us.

  Brody had warned me. His message said, “The ministers are after you. Watanabe is their eyes.”

  I continued to sketch and think, think and sketch. Hisoka was kind and gentle, yet decisive. He’d cut in and danced with Adira Armstrong at the benefit, and Adira was a force to be reckoned with. Working directly with her father, he must have known that. Yet, he didn’t hesitate. I shook my head. Hisoka was a gentleman. He’d been uncomfortable when we were left alone at my apartment. I studied his face, specifically the curve of his jaw, and I darkened the lines on my sketch, sure of the shape. He didn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable today.

  When Hisoka had removed his shirt, I’d tactfully pointed out that the figure in my painting was wearing a grey suit, and Hisoka had reminded me that the best way to learn to paint the human form was to paint someone in the nude. That’s what they’d said at training too.

  At least he kept his pants on. He must have noticed my discomfort, must have seen the pink hue that warmed my cheeks when I thought of him wearing nothing.

  Then I remembered how he’d pushed Keira during the benefit, not physically of course, but by asking her about the people of Vanover. Had he meant to anger her? Was it some kind of test? Maybe it had been an honest question, small talk gone wrong.

  The next thing I knew, Hisoka was at my side, checking my progress. He stood close, too close. I held my breath and stepped back.

  He turned. “Are you feeling alright?”

  “Would you put your shirt back on, please?” I averted my eyes.

  He moved away, back toward the chair where he’d hung his shirt and suit coat. “Do you find me unattractive?”

  I let out my breath. “No, not at all.” I looked into Hisoka’s warm brown eyes.

  He smiled. “You’ve done well. This looks like me. Are you ready to add color, or are we done for today?”

  “I am a little tired, but we can try some color.”

  Hisoka walked over to the table and prepared a palette. He also brought over a cup of water for rinsing the brush in between colors.

  “Study my skin tone, and try to mix a similar color.”

  “Mix?” I looked at him carefully. “You don’t mix, especially when it comes to skin tones. You paint layer by layer.” I reached for the palette and studied it. “You didn’t even include the hues I’ll need for the first layer. Qu’est-ce que tu fais?” I narrowed my eyes.

  This time, he took a step back. “You have been trained.”

  “Of course I have!” I thrust the palette back at him. “I run an art gallery. What did you expect?”

  The room became uncomfortably silent.

  “How were you able to get away from work in the middle of the afternoon?”

  He didn’t answer.

  I looked down and stared at my sandals. “I think you should leave.”

  He reached for my hand, but I pulled away.

  “May I see you again?”

  Maybe if we could be honest with each other. “Can you tell me anything about your work?” Like that you’re a spy for the Resistance. Or is it the other way around?

  “But I’ve already told you about that. I’ve even shown you some of my preliminary sketches.”

  “I’m not talking about your artwork!” I blurted out and raised my head so I could look directly into his eyes. “I’m asking you to treat me as an equal. Please, tell me what you do when you’re not painting,” I pleaded. “What do you do for the Gov?”

  “You don’t need to know what goes on in Parliament. Let me worry about that.”

  I didn’t really care what happened in Parliament, but if he couldn’t tell me about his life, then I shouldn’t trust him with mine. I shook my head sadly. “You need to go.”

  Hisoka turned toward the bathroom. “I’ll just clean my materials, and then I’ll be out of your way.”

  I opened the back door and stepped into the alleyway. A blustery wind rippled around the corner. It tossed my skirt this way and that. If only it could carry me away. I waited.

  From the open doorway, I heard the sounds of water running and a bit of rummaging, probably Hisoka packing up his supplies, and finally Keira’s voice, calling for me. Hisoka was gone.

  ***

  Late that night, someone knocked on the front door. Had Hisoka changed his mind and decided to tell me the truth? I peeked through the peephole, ready to forgive him if he was ready to talk. I let out a sigh and opened the door. Guy gave me a sheepish grin.

  “What’s that?” I nodded at the small bag hanging at his side.

  “My pajamas and toothbrush.”

  I raised my eyebrows.

  He shrugged. “I’ve been chastised for not visiting my fiancee, so here I am!” He looked past me. “Where is she?”

  “Taking a bath.”

  His eyes lit up, and I just had to laugh. “Come on in. That tub isn’t big enough for both of you, you know.” I stepped away from the door.

  “I may have to disprove your theory.”

  I reached for his arm, and he stopped. “Before you head in there, may I ask you something?”

  “Of course, what is it?”

  “Who do you trust more, Brody or Hisoka?”

  “Brody.” He spoke without hesitation.

  “Why?”

  “Good question. He’s demonstrated loyalty to the Resistance, despite great personal risk.”

  “He has?”

  Guy nodded. “For over a year now, even before he understood how he was involved.”

  I raised my eyebrows.

  “CalTech provides security for the major airlines. Brody used to help us get people through, but now he’s doing more important work for us at the Justice Center.”

  “Oh, and Hisoka?”

  “He’s one of my clients, has been for years. When we met to discuss his portfolio a few months ago, he let it slip that he’s become uncomfortable with some of the policies being pushed through Parliament. I told him that I knew who Guy Bensen was, and he’s been feeding us information ever since…but I get the feeling that he knows a lot more than he’s willing to share.”

  “A lot more, huh?” I mused. “I get that feeling too.”

  Guy tilted his head and asked, “Why did you
invite Hisoka to the benefit instead of Brody?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I thought he might fit in better, but he doesn’t like Keira, and he doesn’t trust me. I don’t think I’m going to see him anymore. And Brody…I want to trust him, but he’s sort of forceful.”

  “Forceful? Aimee, has he hurt you?”

  “No.” I shook my head emphatically. “Maybe forceful isn’t the right word exactly. He’s gotten me to open up to him about…well, about a lot of things, but then I question whether or not I should have told him. It kind of scares me. I feel, I don’t know…vulnerable I guess.”

  Guy set down his bag and reached for me. I leaned into him, and he rested his chin on top of my head. “Has Brody ever given you reason not to trust him?”

  I turned my head slightly and focused on the bead and wire Kozlovsky sculpture Brody had purchased on opening night. I’d found the perfect spot for it on an end table nearest the front windows. By mid-morning on sunny days, colors shot from it to the far wall, creating a display of fabulous geometric designs.

  “No.”

  Guy pulled away and placed his hands gently on my shoulders. He peered into my eyes. “Then my advice is to trust your heart.”

  I nodded. He was right. It was about time I trusted myself, and now that they were both here…

  “When Keira’s done in there, I’d like to talk to both of you.”

  “I’ll go get her.” He grinned like a little boy who’s just noticed a bowlful of candy.

  While I waited, I prepared some herbal tea. Voices and laughter filtered into the dining area. Honesty, trust, togetherness… All were important.

  A short time later, Keira entered the room wearing her dark green satin bathrobe. Her hair was dripping wet, but her eyes were shining again. My sister had returned. Until that moment, I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed her. Guy followed, hair wet too. He wore dark blue pajamas.

  “So the tub was big enough!” I teased.

  He ran a hand through his sandy brown hair and grinned at Keira. “Someone thought it would be funny to pull me in, clothes and all.”

  Keira giggled and sat down across from me. “Guy said you wanted to talk.” She wasted no time getting to the point. “Is this about what I think it is?

  “And what’s that?” Guy looked at her in surprise.

  “Nadine,” Keira said. “You said you wanted to talk with both of us about Nadine.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I’m ready to talk about her now.”

  -Guy-

  Together Again

  A half hour later, Aimee retired for the night, looking exhausted but relieved. We’d agreed to the will Scott and Danielle had drawn up and even called them to confirm it. It was early morning in Mediterra, but we didn’t want to waste any time reassuring them that if anything ever happened, we wouldn’t hesitate to become Nadine’s and Noah’s guardians.

  “You’re sure about this?” Keira said, after Aimee left.

  I pulled her onto my lap and embraced her. “All children need love and security. We’ve got plenty of love, and if anyone can keep those two safe, we can.”

  “I think we should celebrate.”

  “Because we’re finally alone together?” I asked.

  “Yes, and because Aimee finally talked about that little one of hers. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for that.”

  “Oh, yes I do. It’s practically all you’ve talked about for the past year.”

  Keira stood and moved in front of the wine rack. “I have not! Red or white?”

  “How about purple?”

  She turned and gave me the evil eye. “I’ll just choose then.” She grabbed a bottle and two long stemmed wine glasses.

  I followed her into the bedroom and flipped the lights off behind us before closing the door with a click. Keira placed the bottle of wine and the glasses on a small wooden desk by the window. I moved to stand behind her. Pockets of the city were bathed in light, little puddles in a sea of darkness. She leaned against me, and I wrapped my arms around her. Her hair smelled fresh, like lilacs.

  “Do you want children of your own someday?” I asked. It was something we’d never discussed.

  “Is that a question you’re allowed to ask a lady?” she teased.

  “To hell with what I’m allowed to ask!” I said, using one of her favorite phrases.

  Keira grinned. “Okay then. I’m not exactly the motherly type, but…”

  “But what?”

  “Well, raising Noah and Nadine would be different. They’re like me. I hope it won’t come to that though because they belong with Scott and Dani.”

  “So you don’t want children of your own?”

  She leaned her head against my shoulder and looked up at me. “Have you looked around lately? Do you seriously want to bring a child into this mess of a world?”

  Usually, I saw the lights. Tonight, I focused on the darkness. “What if we can make it better?”

  “Maybe. If we make it a whole lot better.”

  I gave her a gentle squeeze. “You’re still worried about her.”

  Keira nodded. “She’s all broken up about Hisoka.”

  My arms dropped to my sides. Keira leaned forward, then she popped the cork and poured the wine. I accepted one of the glasses and raised it to my lips.

  “And she won’t talk to me about him either. I think she’s worried I’ll say, ‘I told you so.’”

  “Would you?”

  “Of course not!”

  “If that’s all you’re worried about, you can relax. We talked about it while you were in the bath.”

  “She talked to you about her love life?” Keira’s bright green eyes widened.

  “Why does that surprise you?” I ran my finger down her cheek. “Don’t you feel like you can talk to me?”

  “Well yes, but Aimee’s not like that. Since she moved back, we’ve been struggling to communicate about…well, just about everything.”

  Keira sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed and sipped her wine. I laid down on my side, balancing my glass on top of the dark blue comforter, and waited for her to continue.

  “And there have been a lot of secrets between us too.”

  “I’m not keeping secrets from you. We just haven’t had much chance to talk freely. I don’t like it any more than you.”

  “No secrets, huh?”

  I shook my head. “No secrets.”

  “How well do you know Adira?”

  I swallowed the rest of my wine in one gulp. Are we really going to have that discussion now? I kept my voice steady. “How well do you know Cole?”

  “You know all about Cole! I never kept that from you.” Her eyes flashed. Angry already.

  “He seemed awfully friendly for someone you claim doesn’t care about you.”

  She finished her drink and reached over to set the empty glass on the bedside table. “I never said he didn’t care about me. I said he didn’t love me.”

  Honesty. Honesty is best. “Yes. Alright? Yes.” I sat up and set my empty glass next to hers.

  “What do you mean, yes?” Her eyelids narrowed suspiciously.

  I shrugged. “I’ve slept with Adira. That’s what you’re really asking, isn’t it? It was before we met. We’ve both been with other people. That’s never been a secret.”

  “Yes, but,” she sputtered. “Of all people, why her?”

  “If she’d shown any interest, she could have been a terrific asset to our cause.”

  “An asset to the cause? Is that how you see me?”

  “No, you’re more of a liability.”

  “What?”

  I grinned and pinned her to the bed. “Promise me you won’t kill her.”

  Surprisingly, she became still and said, “Aimee told you about that too?”

  “No.” I pulled back and studied her carefully. She turned her head, refusing to meet my gaze. “Promise me,” I whispered.

  “Oh, fine! I won’t touch her.”

>   “Good. Because even though Cole loves you, I’m not considering anything of the sort.”

  She shook her head fiercely. “He doesn’t, and you wouldn’t. That’s not your style. And it doesn’t matter how he feels about me anyway because I don’t love him.”

  I shifted my left hand to the bed and put all my weight on it. With the other, I gently traced along her jawline. When she finally turned to look at me I continued, confident that I had her full attention. “Yet another reason for the Adira-Cole comparison. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “Prove it,” she said.

  I was glad to see the twinkle return to her eyes.

  -Aimee-

  Chocolat Chaud

  I’m in the study. What a mess! This is going to take all day! I pick up a large leather bound volume titled, The Inner Workings of the Gov. I place it on top of a stack that needs to be shelved – G for Gov. And then another, this one with a bright red cover, Trust and Murder.

  Hmm… T for trust or M for Murder? A loud pounding thunders all around me. What is that?

  I stand and hurry to the window, the books forgotten. It’s Ashton. My heart goes out to him.

  Where has he been? No matter, he’s here now, and he’s building a pagoda in the garden. It will be perfect for the wedding, if only he can finish it in time.

  “There will be no wedding.” Mr. Beckett rests his hands on my shoulders.

  Darkness surrounds me, and a scream pierces the night.

  ***

  I gripped the sheets and wondered, Was that me? No. Someone was still screaming. I pushed my blankets to the side and climbed out of bed. Keira? My heart thundered in my ears, and my mouth ran dry. Will we never be safe? My feet sank into the plush carpet, cream in the moonlight, as I hurried to her room. Should I grab a knife? No. No matter what, I can never do that again. I hesitated with my hand on the cool silver door handle as I heard yet another scream. That’s when I remembered. Guy! He’d come by for a visit, and those weren’t screams of pain.

  My hand flew to my mouth, and I bit hard on my knuckles. I spun around and slid to the floor, shivering long after quiet had returned to the night. I wrapped my arms around my legs and squeezed, letting the tears run their course.

  When I could cry no more, I pushed up on shaky legs and meandered into the kitchen for Noah’s remedy of chocolat chaud. It was worth a try, but sleep would likely be a stranger tonight. I curled my fingers around the warm mug, settled on the sofa in the living room and turned on the teleview. Images of Keira and Guy flitted across the vidscreen. Guy leaped up onto the stage and took the microphone. He walked across the dance floor and knelt down on one knee. I kept the volume turned low and studied their expressions. Will I ever have someone like that? Then will I be able to forget?