After clicking through a few images, I leaned back and glared at him. “What kind of editing software are you using? You put a happy face on this picture. That’s not very professional.”
He snorted. “I was protecting her dignity.”
Among the documented images, Simon had taken a few shots of an adult magazine. “Unless they’re brewing porn stars in that lab, I fail to see the connection.”
His office chair squeaked as he leaned back and stuck out his pierced tongue.
I was beginning to think that Simon just had a bad case of OCD, ADD, and PMS. With a little BS and OMG mixed in.
“Simon, whatever happened to game night?” I rubbed my weary face with my hands.
“This is why real life is a drag. Anytime you feel like getting owned in Battleship, just give me a ring.”
“I think you should get some kind of audio translator that puts all your words down on the computer.”
“Do you really think a bleeding scrap of digital bits could understand my accent?”
“When you have it? No. But then again, you swear so much you’re liable to muddy up the files anyhow.”
“Bugger off,” he grumbled in a weary voice. “Doesn’t seem to bother the ladies none. In fact, most like it when I constantly talk in their ear while I’m changing their oil.”
I slapped the tattoo on his forehead and stood up. “You can be such a dickhead sometimes.”
Simon leaned his head back and soaked me in with his caramel eyes. “You’re so mature. I had a woman tongue my forehead in a way that I’d never quite experienced. So laugh it up, Chuckles.”
I snorted at the mental image of Simon walking into a bar with that embarrassing tattoo and what his pickup line would be.
“What’s your Mage gift, Simon?”
He pinched his fingers together and moved them across his lips, zipping them closed. Didn’t hurt to try, and I sometimes asked in moments when I’d catch him off guard. It’s possible he hadn’t discovered them yet, as Justus told me some realize them right away, while others it takes years before their ability develops.
“Justus still training you?” he asked.
I nodded. “I’m learning to use my energy a little bit more. See?” I held my hand up and rubbed my fingers together, creating a trace of blue light between them that was an energy spark. I had acquired the knack of summoning my light at will, learning to harness it properly, and leveling down as needed. Justus had also taught me how to extract healing energy from sunlight, although he advised against crutching on energy to heal. I still had a long road ahead to get anywhere near on the same level as these guys, but patience is a virtue, and I was not without virtues.
“Excellent progress,” he said in an impressed voice. Simon shifted around in his chair. “Where is Justus?”
“He sent a text that he was with Page, installing alarms or something.”
“Justus likes her, you know.”
“Who, Page? I don’t see it.”
He snorted. “Some men say it with roses and candy. Justus says it with Tasers and deadbolts. I don’t hear much of Logan these days. Sorry bastard not wooing you hard enough?”
With a heavy sigh, I slipped into my leather coat and pulled up the zipper. “Don’t ask me another question about it, but we broke it off and I’m kind of seeing someone else. Look, Simon, I’m whipped. I can give you a hand tomorrow, but my eyes are starting to cross. Don’t work too hard,” I said, messing up his hair as he flipped his laptop shut.
Simon had a hunch something dramatic had happened. He was the one who’d done the system check on the new retinal scanner while Justus spoke privately with him in the outer hallway. He rarely pried in personal matters, something I simply attributed to him being male.
I glanced at a shot glass on the desk. “You know, you don’t exactly have top security in this apartment. You should think about that while you’re up here putting sensitive data on that laptop of yours.”
Simon was challenged by my accusation. “Throwing down the gauntlet, is that how it is?”
“I’m not attacking your ability as a strategist; I’m merely pointing out that a flea could break in here. Maybe you should store this at our house. And don’t look at me like that.”
His tattered red shirt with ripped sleeves said “Undercover Lover,” which was more than what he had been wearing when he answered the door. He’d made some croquettes on his brand-new countertop and we’d nibbled on them while looking over the evidence. But I could only stare at a computer for so long.
“I’m going to head out, so call me when you want me to come over and give you a hand. I do miss our game nights,” I said softly, leaning over to kiss the top of his head.
Simon arched his brows so that his forehead wrinkled and I scraped his hair in front of his face to cover up his hideous tattoo. Without warning, he clasped my fingers and scrutinized me with serious eyes. A muscle in my face involuntarily twitched and I jerked my hand away.
“See ya later, Simon.”
***
On my way home I stopped by the Red Door. It had a quiet spot in the back, separate from the crowd. Everyone knew the rules on the code of conduct, depending on where you sat. The cozy booth had plush red seats and mosaic candleholders adorning the wooden tables. It had become one of my absolute favorite places—more upscale than a human bar, but so casual. Maybe it was nostalgia being that it was my first Breed club, but now I knew why Justus had made this his home away from home.
I ordered a Green Dragon that was always too strong for me to handle; a green concoction that looked like liquid kryptonite. Sickly sweet and one small shot glass was all a person really needed. I hated the stuff, and it hit the spot. Christian slid onto a stool at the bar several feet away, peering at me over his shoulder while the bartender wiped down the surface with a white towel.
Tarek’s threat loomed over me like an ominous cloud. My second glass arrived on the table and I grimaced as it sailed down my throat.
“I thought you didn’t care for the specialty drinks.”
My eyes lifted to a man with color-shifting eyes, now resting on hazel. His ultra-soft brown hair polished his shoulders, and the menacing dragon tattoo that stretched around his neck punched out like a waking nightmare.
“Remi, I didn’t expect to see you here. Is Justus with you?”
I only saw Remi on the rare occasion. He was a Gemini—a Breed with a detached personality, and good reason for it. Maybe that’s why Justus wanted me to keep my distance from him. They had a switch not unlike a Chitah, except instead of running on animal instinct, something dark and dangerous took over. The only way a Gemini could return from that state was to spill blood. I’d never seen it, nor did I care to.
“Justus has been busy.” He bowed, keeping his eyes on me. “May I sit?” He removed his long jacket and folded it across his arm. Remi was dressed like everyone else in the city—warm. His long-sleeve cotton shirt fit his body well—a charcoal shade with a wide collar revealing the tattoo he wasn’t afraid to show off.
“Sure. It’s a free country.”
He quietly slid across from me and laced his fingers together. “Sometimes it is, and sometimes not so much.”
“I’ll drink to that,” I said, raising my empty glass. I felt a peculiar, almost dreamlike effect that promised me hours of sleep.
“I’ve mentioned to you the importance of retaining your humanity, Silver. More than once, if I recall.”
I lifted a brow, sensing the direction of conversation. “Yeah, I remember.”
“In your presence, I feel the need to mourn. It’s an intuition, one that often comes with loss. Whatever pain you’re enduring, don’t shut yourself out. When you close off your emotions, you become like—”
“You?”
I blanched when the words escaped and I shut my eyes in disgust. Remi had selflessly helped us on more than one occasion and I’d just insulted him.
“I’m sorry,” I said in a low voice.
> “No need to apologize, Silver. I’m not offended by the truth. It is the way of Geminis to shut out our emotions, our… humanity. We are not able to control them as easily and as a result, there are consequences. But you have a choice. I miss the charm you once possessed in your humor, and there was a light in your eyes that is much dimmer now.” Remi lowered his gaze thoughtfully and wrapped his fingers around a glass he had brought to the table, taking a small sip. “I would very much like to quietly sit here with you and share a drink.”
Which he did.
Remi offered a mental hug even though I barely knew him. Sharing silence with someone is underrated. Sometimes words are not enough, or they’re not the right ones.
Geminis were one of the most feared races among us. I found nothing threatening about him except the level of control he possessed. It was almost robotic, and even his compassion felt devoid of emotion.
My eyes closed and a sea of voices pulled me into a relaxed state of mind. When I opened them, Remi was gone.
***
“Stop it,” I complained, leaning against my car and turning my back on Christian.
He wasn’t tolerating my defiance. Christian slapped his hand around my wrist and took the car keys, walking me to the passenger side and shoving me in.
“What’s the big deal?” I yelled out. “I’m immortal.”
“Aye, you’re immortal. But you’re also langered. A woman and child crossing your path wouldn’t be so lucky.”
When he cranked the engine, it didn’t start. After a few seconds, I opened my eyes and saw he had popped the hood open. I had my doubts that Vampires were very handy with a dead battery, so I pushed open my door and got out.
“Where’s your bike?”
His hands were spread across the engine and he glanced up. “Think I’m letting you hang on to me in your condition? Liable to fall off the back and end up as roadkill.”
“Come on, Sister Christian. Let’s take a walk and we’ll catch the soul train and walk the rest of the way home. Don’t be such a big baby.”
I shuffled down the road like a drunk zombie, my eyes closing like hammers striking a nail—forcefully and without hesitation.
“I’ll have Simon take a look at it tomorrow,” he said, coming up from behind. “Why don’t you get Justus to buy you the newer model?”
If my eyes hadn’t been glued to my lids, I would have rolled them.
I stumbled on the curb and fell to my knees. “Ah, shit. That was almost a faceplant.”
Christian had finally had enough of the public intoxication sideshow act and picked me up.
Every muscle relaxed into a pool of bliss. My plan when I got home was to sleep on my red chaise, just for old-times sake.
Ten minutes into the walk, Christian abruptly stopped. I had tucked my face in the crook of his warm neck and could feel his pulse thumping faster against my cheek. I opened my eyes and noticed tiny specks of snowflakes glistened like diamonds against my clothes.
“Stay back,” he said in a low, almost dreamlike voice. “I know you’ve been following her. Keep your distance.”
I grew alarmed when I heard a distant growl that sounded like a Chitah.
“We could stay like this all night or you could let us pass,” Christian said in a thick voice. “If you have a problem, then it’s with me, and we can settle this whenever you like. Just say the word. But I will not stand here a minute longer, enduring your tantrum. Move away.”
When the voices grew louder, my eyes snapped open. I was pretty damn sure that dreams didn’t vibrate your skull with profanities.
Christian held me with only one arm. In the other hand, he palmed a knife. I twisted my neck around to see what the situation was.
The situation was Logan.
He held an aggressive posture with his arms heavy at his sides and head tilted down. Blond hair hung freely over his shoulders, tempted by the touch of the wind as it spun in its play.
“Put me down, Christian.” His arm relaxed and my feet hit the concrete.
I had to play my emotions carefully. Logan could jeopardize this if he questioned the truth out of me, or worse, continued to pursue me. He needed to let go, because holding on to me would only bring death.
“It’s over between us, Logan. I want you to stop following me.”
He tilted his head to the side and locked his savage eyes on mine. It was the same riveting gaze as when he’d appeared at my doorstep one rainy night to capture me for a price. His shoulders were broad and his stance was confrontational. His cheekbones cut into his profile, giving him an animalistic expression.
“I’m sorry it had to come to this, Logan. I really am. But your claim on me is bullshit and you know it. I don’t know why you fabricated such an incredible story just to win me over.”
“I spoke to Leo.”
Of course he did. I’m sure Leo couldn’t wait to tell him about Tarek. In many ways, I was doing Logan a favor. Now he could be with his own kind and have a chance at a normal life with a family. But what rubbed the salt deep in his wound was that I chose the man who had not only tried to end my life, but had also raped Logan’s former mate.
“Then you know, and there’s nothing for us to discuss.”
“How could you!” he roared.
“Because of free will. You said from the beginning that I’ve always had the choice. And I chose Tarek.” Logan continually lifted his nose, drawing in scent, and I knew I had to be careful about not lying. “Tarek has power, Logan.”
“But he bit you.”
“And you kidnapped me. Your point?”
He lowered his head, his gaze, and his volume. “Am I that expendable? Tell me why I wasn’t enough.”
“Stop following me. Stop thinking about me, and just let me go. I’ll never choose you.” My words were nothing short of gunfire erupting over the surface of his heart. “I’m not the person you think I am, Logan. You promised that if I chose another that you’d accept it and not seek revenge.”
Words he’d spoken the night we’d laid in my bed when he tenderly kissed the rib my ex once broke with his fist. Before I lost it, I let rage consume me to extinguish the pain. “You promised me that. And yet here you are, lurking in the shadows like the ghost of relationships past.”
My eyes swallowed every visual inch of him. Lips I would never taste again, the feel of his face as it nuzzled against my neck, and the tiny laugh lines carved in his cheeks that I could only see when curled up against him.
And that hair—that beautiful, long hair that had become a symbol of hope for winning my love.
“Come on,” Christian said. “Let’s get your drunken arse home.”
Logan’s hands trembled, but he kept his animal in check as we moved around him and I walked regretfully out of his life.
Chapter 16
“Where are you taking me?”
I wiped my sweaty palms against my jeans, glaring at the large ring on Tarek’s hand that the passing streetlights illuminated. It was the next day, and he had picked me up in a short limo without giving me any information on our destination. Christian tailed behind on his motorbike. I’d confirmed with Tarek that I’d kept my end of the bargain.
Tarek pushed his hips forward in the seat across from me and smiled a wolfish grin. His finger tapped against the window. “Soundproof, you know.”
I looked around, noticing the peculiar lining on the doors and seats. Of course it was soundproof. He had access to all the amenities a Lord was offered.
The car rolled down a busy street where people scattered, clutching their scarves and kicking up dirty flecks of snow as they hurried through the darkness to get to their destinations.
“I’m very impressed with your follow-through, Mage. Although in retrospect, I might have suggested you bed Leo.” Tarek rubbed his Mohawk and cursed. “Damn, why didn’t I think of that before,” he breathed.
I shuddered.
“But, the Vampire was an interesting choice. It’s a slap in the face
to choose a male who is not even a Chitah, so that went over well, I’m sure,” he said with a malicious grin. “I think you should speak to your employer about getting a new guard. It’s a conflict of interest to be sleeping with a man you employ.”
“Christian was assigned to me by the Mageri, not Novis. Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Our first date, of course. Informal, as promised. We need to be visible, and I have the perfect location picked out.”
When the car rolled in front of a building with bold red letters on the window, I slid down in my seat. It was a Chinese hole-in-the-wall restaurant near Logan’s apartment. He visited that place all the time with his brothers—the same restaurant that he’d ordered takeout when he held me captive in the cave.
“Your friend comes here a lot. Every Thursday night around…” He looked at his watch and grinned. “Right about now.”
“I’m not hungry,” I protested with a whimper.
He snatched my wrist. “You’re fucking starving. My terms, my conditions. Refuse and I’ll call it off. No second chances. Don’t forget who you’re dealing with, you little battery charger. I’m a Chitah, and I think we both know what I’m capable of,” he said, pushing a meaty finger against the scars on my neck.
“Why the parade? If we’re going to marry, let’s just do it and get it over with. You’ve had your revenge.”
He slid his hands down the lapel of his jacket. “What would be the fun in that? I want you to make it believable, so wipe that fucking sad face out of my sight. Make it smell real, because if you don’t pull this off, then I won’t hold to my end of the agreement. There are droves of women who would kill to be in your position, and soon enough, there will be.”
I reached for the handle and Tarek leaned forward and pinned me against the seat. His scent was thick and filled the car as he rubbed up against me. “This will mask any emotion you leak,” he said decidedly.
It was a quaint restaurant with square wooden tables and booths lined up along the outer edge. Various images of dragons and women holding fans decorated the walls, but nothing helped the tacky green carpet underfoot. That aside, the food was excellent as far as buffet goes, and they would prepare anything fresh on order.
Gravity (Mageri Series: Book 4) Page 14