Not here, not now.
But if he wasnt careful he would levitate the vehicle and everything around it.
He needed a distraction. Encouraging jailhouse justice on the preschool playground, sugar muffin?
She glared at him, and it lightened his mood. Encouraging the end of a bullys reign of terror.
Ah. I approve.
Smirking at him, she said, You do realize you just set yourself up for a horrible insult, right?
He leaned against the door and faced her. She didnt wilt under the intensity of his stare, and didnt look away. She met him head-on, completely unfazed. He had to admire her fortitude.
Had to? Hell, he already did. Hed never met a woman like her. All bark and bite.
Lets call a truce, he said. The moment the words registered, he realized he liked them. He and Evie had never been on sociable terms, and he was curious to know what that would be like.
I thought we already had. She rubbed at the goose bumps on her arms. Cold? I mean, we havent killed each other.
Good point. He tried again. As he turned down the air with a single swipe of his power, he said, Lets be friends. Hed never had a female friend before, had never thought hed want one; but this one had saved his life, and no matter how he felt about her, he kinda sorta owed her. After all, youre the only person I can trust right now, and youre determined to work with me, so were going to be spending a lot of time together.
Her color was high, just the way he liked it, and her dark eyes were luminous as they searched his features. Her lips were so soft, so red, and already parted; he experienced a sudden urge to lean into her, to breathe her in and taste her, and what the hell was he doing? Stop.
Were not good for each other, she said.
Because we let our own issues get in the way. We all have baggage, princess. Lets ditch ours and move forward.
What would this friendship entail? she asked.
For starters, we need to always tell each other the truth.
I already do that. Are you saying you dont?
God save me. Also, youll need to guard my back rather than stab it.
She took no offense, surprising him. Then she nodded, surprising him even more. I could give that last one a try, I suppose. Im not making any promises, though, she rushed to add.
He rolled his eyes. Just do your best.
A pause as she fiddled with the strap of her purse. So, do you really think were going to find anything at Michaels? Im sure the agency has already sent people to search through the rubble.
They arent me, he said simply.
And youre the best?
Indisputably.
Now she was the one to roll her eyes. I seem to remember a certain agent telling me arrogance would get people killed.
The moment the words left her mouth, her amusement faded. Her expression fell and her shoulders hunched in. Great waves of regret and sadness rolled off her, slamming into him.
What the hell?
He thought back to their first meeting and how much hed wanted her even then. How shaken hed been by her attitude. How, when the smoke of his injured pride had cleared, hed been impressed by her. Shed taken a three-man mission and simplified it down to the bones, all on her own.
I was wrong, he admitted. Your arrogance was deserved.
No. No, it wasnt.
Something about her tone . . .
He frowned. He couldnt think of a single mission shed botched. Why did you leave the agency?
I dont want to talk about it.
Evie
I mean it, Blue. Leave this alone.
He wanted to push. Her regret and sadness were intensifying. But she was the type to push back, and as hed proven, he didnt always come out ahead with her.
Challenges more than sucked.
Suspicious behavior detected, a computerized voice suddenly announced.
He was amazed only for a moment. Your security system? he asked.
Yes. Evie twisted to peer out the back window. Modified to record and decipher the habits of nearby drivers.
Extraordinary. And seriously hot.
On alert, he scanned the mirrors and found the culprit. Three cars back was a dark sedan with windows as smoky as theirs. Evie punched a few buttons and a small screen appeared on the console in front of Blue.
Were definitely being followed, she said.
With another punch of the buttons, the camera that was anchored to the back of the car honed in on the sedan. An image appeared on the console screen.
Can you give me the make and model of the car? he asked.
Evie was not the one to answer. The computerized voice gave him the details he wanted, adding, The vehicle has been modified to allow for manual steering. There are automatic assault rifles anchored to both the left and right side.
Gotta get me one of these. Can you see past the window tint and tell me how many bodies are inside?
Checking . . . the computer replied. Several tense seconds ticked past. Body heat indicators suggest four adult males.
He liked those odds.
Eight
WE COULD BE DEALING with the men who bombed my fathers house, Evie said. Maybe theyre here to end you for good.
Maybe, Blue replied, but Im presumed dead, and this isnt my car. You are a more likely target.
She shook her head, so close to him the end of her ponytail brushed his arm. Your body was never found. Youre not presumed dead.
No one saw me go into my house. No one saw me go into yours, either.
No one that we know about.
She had an answer for everything.
Im sure, Evie, he said, his tone flat. I would have sensed if I was being followed. Im never not aware.
Ill ignore the double negative and agree with you. She released a heavy breath. So say I am the target. Whats the motive? Why now?
Why indeed. Because the AIR agent came to visit you and youre now a liability? Because Michael is missing and the bad guy wants to use you as bait? Should I go on?
No, she grumbled. Those two did the trick.
Well, what do you know? Hed won another argument. And this time victory was oh, so sweet. Are the occupants human? he asked the computer. Or otherworlder?
Unsure.
Too bad. Any New Chicago PD posted along the road?
Checking . . . Yes. The nearest patrol unit is ten miles north.
He knew the area to avoid, then.
How do I put the shields up? he asked Evie. Assuming you have shields.
Like I would ever own a vehicle without shields. And the method is kind of complicated, so pay close attention. She cleared her throat, then said, Engage shields. Now.
Clear armor came out of hiding, wrapping around the car to protect it from enemy fire.
He shook his head in exasperationand, okay, a little amusement. Program the operating system to accept my voice commands.
All she said was Accept Blue. All access.
Engage manual steering panel. Now, he said. The moment he had the wheel in hand, he switched lanes, careful to maintain the same speedfor the moment.
The sedan remained where it was, playing innocent.
With only a thought, Blue could force the cars around him to swerve into the vehicles path, but that would put innocents in danger, maybe even cause a few deaths. He had some scruples.
Are you okay with me putting a few dings and scratches in your car? he asked Evie.
Strip her to the studs. I dont care. Just nail those bloody bastards to the wall. Id like a chat-up.
Perfect answer, and sexy as hell, her excitement making her accent thicker.
He wanted to kiss her.
You cant ever kiss her.
You mean a conversation? When dealing with Honey Badger, it was best to be clear.
Thats what I said.
Well, all right, then. Here goes. He yanked the car to the right and slammed his foot on the gas, shooting off the highway. The sedan gave up all pretense of innocence and followed. Tires squealed as the sensors on the cars around them engaged, automated systems performing deep swerves to avoid a collision.
Evie dug through her purse, withdrawing the modified pyre-gun shed brandished earlier. Get me the angle I need and Ill disable the car, she said, dialing the internal crystal to its highest setting.
I think Im turned onagain.
I want to get to a less populated area first. An intersection loomed ahead, the light red. There were three lanes. Two were clogged with traffic. One was open, but for right turns only.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Shots fired, the computer stated calmly.
Blimey, Evie cursed. Obviously our shadow doesnt care about hurting others.
Theyll get theirs. Blue increased his speed, staying in the turn lane, even though he wasnt going to turn. He flew through the intersection, jerking the wheel this way, then that way, stopping oncoming traffic and directing the cars out of harms way. You have my word.
Rather than keeping to the side roads, Blue zipped back onto the highway.
Theyre about to fire again, Evie said.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Shields can only withstand two more rounds before failing, the computer announced.
Great. Blue revved the turbo-booster and shot into warp speed, weaving through traffic, searching for the perfect place to
There.
A bridge. Very little traffic in front, only the tail in back.
Incoming, Evie warned.
Almost there.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Get ready, moon tart, he said, pressing a button to lower the passenger window. Violent wind blustered inside the car. Dont try to get the men, just try to blow their tires.
Duh. This isnt my first rodeo, cowboy.
He really hoped she was a good shot.
Youll have less than a second to the computer began.
I know! Evie growled. Shut up.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The moment Blue crossed the bottom edge of the bridge, he threw the car into a spin. Suddenly, Evie was facing the other vehicle. She found her target and squeezed off a single shot. A bright yellow laser blasted out, slamming into the vehicles front left tire at the same time another bullet hit her door.
The shield had been damaged beyond repair, and the bullet shot through the metal to embed in the console directly in front of her.
So close to hitting her, Blue thought, trembling with sudden rage.
Nailed it! she said, happy.
He straightened out the car and slowed, watching in the rearview mirror as rubber melted and the sedan began a tailspin of its own before flipping over and rolling, the roof crashing into the road, then the tires slamming into the road, then the roof, then the tires, until finally stopping on its belly.
Smoke wafted through the air as he came to a halt. Clasping his gun, he jumped out and raced toward the crash site. He was halfway there when a brutal gush of molten wind shoved him backward, lifting him as if he weighed no more than a feather. A piercing boom scraped at his ears, making them ring. He landed with a hard thunk, a door handle dropping from the sky and clanking beside him.
Been here, done this shit already.
As he stood, he watched flames engulf what was left of the vehicle.
That had been an intentional blast. Most likely, whoever sent these men to nabkill?Evie hadnt wanted anyone caught and questioned. Planting a self-destruct bomb would have been easy.
Blues rage exploded with the same viciousness, and he struggled to rein it in as he marched to Evies car.
She stood in the passenger doorway, her hand braced against the open window. Her hair had come loose from the ponytail and framed her soot-streaked face in tangled waves.
Well, that sucks, she said.
No smart remarks. No recrimination directed at him.
He stopped. Just stopped and tried to catch his breath. She was beautiful and here and alive, unharmed, the knowledge battering at the desire he tried so valiantly to deny. He wanted her. More than that, he needed her. Inside, his Arcadian power tugged at a flimsy leash. Hed been too worked up lately. Too agitated, too hungry, too angry, with zero release.
Each one magnified his rage.
I am so pissed off right now, he snarled.
Uh, I can tell, she said, not sounding worried. Your eyes are glowing.
Glowing past the contacts? That was bad. Very, very bad. Soon a surge of pure energy would leave his body, frying everything around him. Unless . . . No. No, he wouldnt. You need to leave, Evie. Get in the car and drive away. Ill meet you at the ruins.
As if! The foolish girl approached him. Whats going on with you?
Evie!
If were friends, youll tell me, she insisted. Maybe I can help.
Low blow, using the friendship hed insisted on. I have more Arcadian abilities than anyone knows. Im more powerful than anyone knows. Hed never told anyone the full scope of his badassery, not even Michael. Humans feared what they didnt understand, and he didnt want his friends to fear him. Sometimes that power builds up and requires an outlet.
She thought for a moment. Kind of like the worlds worst temper tantrum with deadly results?
He nearly choked on his tongue. She wasnt afraid of him, and clearly she never would be. Yes.
What kind of outlet? she asked.
A physical fight. He paused, watching her expression for the minutest change. Sex.
No horror. Only interest.
The interest nearly slayed him.
In that case . . . she said. She punched him once, twice, three times. Better?
Each of the blows knocked his head to the side. Blood trickled into his mouth, and sharp stings registered.
Amusement doused the hottest threads of the ragebut not his sexual hunger. He spit out the blood, his desire for her even worse. Amendment. I have to do the beating.
Oh. Well, my bad. Im going to decline on that one.
That one will never be offered to you.
But the other . . .
Yeah. The other. Sex. He noticed she didnt move away from him but stayed right where she was. Her gaze locked on his lips, and she began to pant.
Thinking of kissing him?
Maybe. Her adrenaline must have skyrocketed. He knew his had.
He stepped closer, unable to resist.
She did the same.
And then he was on her, wrapping his arms around her and jerking her into the hard line of his body. His tongue thrust into her mouth, demanding a response. She gave it, kissing him back with a passion hed never before encountered, as if she had been starving all her life and he was her first meal.
Desire burned him from the inside out, sparking a fire in his blood, driving him torward the car. He lifted her to the trunk and forced her legs to spread and cage his hips. With his hands on her lower back, he yanked her against him and directed her into a hard, fast grind against his erection.
Hell yeah!
She groaned, and it was the most delicious sound.
The pleasure of her . . . it was almost too much. . . . Her breasts rubbed against his chest, and he could feel the stiff peaks of her nipples. All the while, he continued to feed her a down-and-dirty kiss that mimicked exactly what he wanted to do to the rest of her. Hard, almost punishing. Taking. Demanding.
He couldnt get enough of her. The honey of her taste was a drug. Beyond addictive.
Necessary to sustain life.
Power seeped from his pores, and he suspected Evie could feel it, because little moans kept rising from deep in her throat, and her fingers kept brushing up and down the exposed skin on his arms . . . until her hands were tangled in his hair, her nails digging into his scalp; she angled his head just the way she wanted it. He liked that. Liked that she demanded and took with the same fervency he used.
She sucked the piercing in his bottom lip, and a low growl reverberated from him.
More. He needed more. He needed all. He needed her naked, and open. He needed to graze her nipples with his teeth. Needed to devour her between her legs, then pound inside her, deep, so deep she would feel him for days afterward. He needed to hear her cries of rapture.
Yes. He reached for the hem of her shirt, ready to tear the thing off her.
A siren wailed in the background, and Evie stiffened.
Wait. Stop. She drew in a deep breath and shoved at him. She wouldnt meet his gaze. This is wrong.
Wrong? No. He
Wasnt kissing his fiancée.
Yes. This was wrong.
A tide of disgust rolled through him, and with a step backphysically and emotionallyhe increased the distance between them.
Evie stood and did the same, then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as if she couldnt bear to deal with his taste a second longer. That shouldnt have happened.
I know. He wasnt in love with Pagan, true, but hed given her a ring. He had rules. Rules he should have followed.
He was ashamed.
He had just betrayed Michael in the worst possible way. Michael, who had done so much for him throughout the years but had only ever asked for one thing in return. That he leave his daughter alone.
Im scum.
Correction, Im worse than scum.
Blue had disrespected the man, and for what? Momentary pleasure.
Perfect phrase. Momentary pleasure. That was all Evie could ever be.
She wasnt like Pagan. She would never accept the fact that he had to be with other women, no matter the reason for his actions. She would murder him, and perhaps even murder the female, totally unwilling to concede that what he did was a necessary evil of the job.
He
Liked that, he realized, a little dazed. Wanted a woman to fight for him. To desire him, and him alone. To crave his unerring devotion and insist upon it.
Who are you?
It was the moment, Evie said, her voice hollow. The rush of surviving the chase and explosion.
Was it? I know, he repeated, his own voice just as hollow.
He didnt know.
Hed been attracted to this girl from the beginning. Maybe shed been attracted to him just as long. Maybe it had happened only recently for her. But the fact remained. They were into each other, no matter how wrong it was.
Theyd have to be careful.
Are you good now? she asked.
Was he? The leash on his power was reinforced, but his mind was in turmoil. Never again taste that honey? Never again feel those teacup breasts smashed against his chest? Never again rub between her legs?
Never thrust his fingers deep?
Impossible.
Ill be fine, he gritted. Lets go before the cops arrive.
They returned to the car, settled inside.
As he reprogrammed the GPS, he said, As soon as I rise from the dead, Im telling Pagan its over. Hed just cheated on her for real. Yeah, hed told her there would be other women, but this was different.
This had been of his own volition.
He really was a he-slut.
There was no way to make this right. No way to reclaim his honor, but he could do an honorable thing. He could set Pagan free, allowing her to find someone else. Someone deserving of her.
I hope youre not doing that on my account, Evie said, peering out the window, hiding her expression. That was our first and last kiss. Its never going to happen again.
Hed just thought the same thingand yet, it still irritated him to hear her say it. Dont worry, flower petal. Getting involved with you is the last thing I want to do.
Nine
IM IN SO MUCH trouble.
Before, Evie had only been able to speculate about Blues sexual prowess. Shed told herself that all the women flocking to him were fools, and his skill completely overrated.
Now she knew better.
His skills were seriously underrated. He hadnt just kissed her. Hed screwed the hell out of her mouth. And all the while, waves of his power had cascaded over her, heating her, making it feel like a thousand hands were concentrated on her naughty bits.
Shed never been so swept up in a moment, or so lost in sensation.
How close shed come to letting him take her in public, out in the open, for anyone and everyone to see. How close shed come to being usedand discarded.
Im not going to be another conquest. Im not!
From now on, she would be more careful around him. Although . . . maybe she wouldnt have to be.
Getting involved with you is the last thing I want to do, hed said, and even though shed agreed with the sentiment, the words had still managed to cut at her.
How pathetic am I? she thought. I cant even get the worlds most promiscuous man to want me unless hes desperate to release a little power.
Whatever. It didnt matter. Nothing mattered except Michael, John, and Solo. She wouldnt forget again. And if she did, she might just give herself a lobotomy.
* * *
While Evie set up an external perimeter around the rubble of Michaels decimated house, creating invisible walls that would keep everyone and everything out, including prying eyes, Blue tossed charred boards out of the way by using his power, clearing the biggest pieces of debris before picking through the section where Fry Guy had tried to cook him for dinner.
He wished he could use his favorite ability. Or rather, he wished he could use a tweaked version of his favorite ability. Blue could stand in one location, any location, and force the last ten minutes to replay. He could watch everything that had transpired, like a movie unfolding across a television screen, whether hed first borne witness or not. But the explosion had happened over a week ago, too far in the past for this capability.
There was another talent he could use here, however. One hed always considered useless. An azure glow began to seep from the pores in his hand, and he ran his palm over bits and pieces of scorched wood, metal, and paper, the char disintegrating to reveal whatever was hidden beneath.
The glow could clean anythingexcept his dirty thoughts. His desire for Evie hadnt faded in the silence of the drive. Had only grown.
He was more appalled by the knowledge with every second that passed. He was also extremely ticked.
How had he gone from total dislike of her to this . . . seeming obsession?
Cool trick, she said, coming up beside him.
He steeled himself against her honey-almond scent, saying, Just one of many.
She placed her hand at her heart. So humble.
I seem to recall your aversion to lies. Or has that changed?
Ignoring the question, she said, What, exactly, is it that you think were going to find?
Not sure yet.
Ah. This is a well-know-it-when-we-see-it mission.
Yes. Now zip it and help.
Sir, yes, sir.
The response was unexpectedwhere was her anger?and he barely stifled his laughter. Thered never be a dull moment with this girl, that was for sure.
She worked alongside him for ten . . . twenty minutes without a word, but his awareness of her never dissipated. There was something about the grace of her movements that continually drew his eye.
Why did she have to be Michaels daughter?
Just say whatevers on your mind, she finally growled, her good humor gone. I dont like the way youre watching me.
Noticed, had she? And how am I watching you?
As if youd like to eat me.
I would. I so would. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then again for dessert. Why dont you do us both a solid and get over yourself, butter buns. The best defense was a good offense and all that jazz.
Butter buns? Thats the worst of the lot! She threw a piece of wood at his head.
He stopped it midway with only a slight thread of power, letting it hover a moment before he sent it flying to the side. Of course, she used his distraction against him and threw another. This one pelted him in the chest, nearly deflating his lungs.
Do that again, he growled. I dare you.
Dare accepted. She did it again.
Like the first time, he stopped it and sent it flying. Im warning you, Evie.
Oh, yeah? What are you going to do to me, huh?
She was panting, he realized, and so was he. They were staring at each other, just as theyd done after the explosion, looking for an outlet for their anger . . . and awareness of each other. Only, this time nothing had happened to provoke such a response. If they kissed, they would only have themselves to blame.
He almost didnt care. His mouth watered for her. His hands ached for her.
Never mind. Her cheeks flushed as she stomped away from him. He thought he heard her mutter the word lobotomy. Were here for a reason. Lets concentrate.
How aggravating that Evie Black had become the voice of reason in their relationship.
Miracle of miracles, youre right. He returned his attention to the pile of ash, and his gaze snagged on a small cigarette lighter. The metal had melted, but after a quick cleanup the unique logo became visible. A naked blonde straddled a male that was half white knight, half black unicorn.
The logo represented the Lucky Horn. A strip club he may or may not have visited . . . countless times.
Was it Michaels lighter? Or could it belong to Fry Guy?
Ever seen this before? he asked, holding it up for Evies inspection.
She looked it over, shook her head. No. And to my knowledge, Michael has never visited the Lucky Horn.
Howd she know the logo?
Like hed really tell you if he had, Blue quipped.
Like he wouldnt. He doesnt think of me as a daughter but as an agent. Well, as a doctor now.
Threads of deep inner pain stroked over him, cold and stinging. Theyd come from her, he realized. When would he stop being astonished by that? What are you talking about? Of course he thinks of you as a daughter. Hes always spoiled you rotten, letting you get away with crap he would have killed other agents for. And it had always bothered Blue, though he couldnt seem to work up any kind of indignation at that particular moment.
Her expression turned pensive as she mulled over his words. A few seconds later she said, Why did he leave me in Westminster with Mum, then? Why did he visit me so rarely?
She thought . . . what? That Michael had never really loved her? Ouch.
But she couldnt be more wrong. Hurt was coloring all of her memories.
He had his own experience with that. He couldnt remember his biological parents, only his three older brothers and two older sisters. Theyd lived on the streets, his brothers stealing every scrap of food and clothing, and his sisters . . . he didnt want to think about what theyd done. But then they all got sick, dying one by one, until, at the age of four, Blue was on his own. To survive, he ate out of trash cans.
A sweet old homeless man noticed him and tried to take care of him for a while. But it wasnt long before Blues pretty face drew the notice of the wrong kind of people. The homeless man was stabbed and killed, and Blue shoved into a car.
Thats when power first bonded with him and activated.
Frantic, scared, he somehow caused the car to levitate and crash into a building. And when the survivors tried to drag him out, he caused them to levitate and crash into the building. Alone once again, he hid in the shadows.
Michael found him two days later.
After feeding him, cleaning him, and clothing him, Michael ensured that Blue was given to a good home. One with lots of children, so that he would have brothers and sisters again.