Enough. She jerked free and shouldered him out of the way. As she stepped onto the dock, his palms flattened on her arse and gave a little push. She fought a grin as she whirled on him. You wanting to lose a hand, Mr. Hammer?
Please. Like youre really going to do anything. We both know you like what I do with my hands. He eased up beside her, tall and strong and everything she longed to devour.
Again she had to turn away, because again she had no response.
They stripped out of their bodysuits, then maintained the same pace as they stalked to the door of the shack. Blue kept a pyre-gun trained dead ahead. Something was oddshe didnt feel the hum of his power, she realized.
What happens after you expend so much energy? she asked softly.
I have to recharge.
So you are without Arcadian abilities?
For a few hours, yes.
Ill just have to guard you, then. She dug inside the purse draped across her middle and removed a tube of lipstick.
And youre going to do that by freshening up your makeup? he asked. Wow. Ive never felt safer.
She twisted the tube until it morphed into a pair of wire cutters. How about I freshen your makeup with these, huh?
What else do you have in there? he asked, trying to grab the bag.
She slapped his hand away, saying, Pray you never find out. An ID panel was hidden behind a piece of rotted wood. She removed the lid and scanner to fiddle with the complicated interior. Only one person has entered in the past three days. No one for weeks before that.
And you know that how?
I read the data entries. And now Im programming myself into the system.
If this is Michaels place, shouldnt you already be programmed in?
Like hed really make it that easy. The front door opened with a click and a whoosh.
Easy enough, Blue muttered.
For me, yes. You? Not so much.
Are you trying to say youre smarter than me?
Trying? Ha.
Well, Im stronger, so suck it. Suddenly he was all business, pushing his way inside.
Evie followed close on his heels, watching as he scanned and aimed, scanned and aimed.
Stay here, he commanded, disappearing around the corner.
You might want to come back, she called. There are
Ow!
traps, she finished with a flinch.
He stomped back into the foyer, a frown tightening the scar running through his lip. A scar that was thinner than it had been a few hours ago. Was it not from makeup? Had he actually cut himself?
For some reason the thought of him bleeding and in pain bothered her. Need to kiss it and make it better.
He held up his leg, revealing the antique metal claw now biting into his ankle. What are we? Barbarians? This is how we do things now?
Apparently. Lets get downstairs and Ill patch you up, she said, doing her best to hide her amusement. Bother her, yesbut come on, this crap was funny.
She must have failed in her endeavor because he said, Is this a joke to you, chuckles?
Well, yeah. Only a moron falls for the old Step here trick.
Zip it. I dont need any patching. Im already healing. He removed the claw and stalked toward heror, rather, limped toward her.
Laughing, she crouched down and rewired a second ID box. A crack opened in the concrete, just wide enough to allow a body, and revealed a staircase.
When she looked up, she realized Blue had stopped his approach midway to stare at her with a bemused expression.
What? she asked.
You laughed.
I know.
I mean, you really laughed.
Uh, yeah, I know. His point? So I ask again: What?
Nothing, he muttered, finally looking away.
Not nothing, but she wasnt going to press. She descended the stairs, following a trail of golden light. At the bottom she saw plush carpets and soft couches that led to a chefs dream kitchen. Around the corner from the stainless steel fridge was an office with an entire wall of computer screens.
Evangeline Black. About time you showed up, a voice said.
Evies heart raced with joy as she plowed toward her father, who clearly hadnt been in the path of Blues power. He stood in the doorway of the only bedroom. He sported multiple bruises and his shoulders were stooped with fatigue, but he was alive and well, and that was all that mattered.
Rather than hug him, as she wanted, and potentially bruise him further, she grabbed hold of his hand and held it close to her heart. Warm tears trickled down her cheeks. I am so angry at you right now, I could shove a fishing rod down your throat and hook your organs one by one. Except for your intestines. That would just be gross.
He gave her a wry smile. I love you, too, sunbeam.
Hed said those same words many times before, but shed never really believed him. This time she wasnt looking at him through a veil of hurt feelings. She was too relieved to see him. She actually saw the affection in his eyes.
Im such a fool for ever doubting him.
Where have you been? she demanded. Why did you stay in hiding so long? Do you know where John and Solo are?
A muscle ticked in his jaw, a sign of irritation she knew wasnt directed at her but at their circumstances. One question at a time. His gaze strayed to Blue. Son.
Though his lips thinned, Blue nodded in greeting. What was up with that?
Ill want a full report on how the two of you came to be together, Michael said.
Sure, sure, she said before the agent could respond.
Michael led her to the couch and sat down, urging her to take the spot beside him. I suspected there was a traitor in my midst, and I was right. I stayed away, letting the world think I was dead, because I didnt want you used to hurt me. But, of course, an attempt was made.
The chase this afternoon, Blue said, claiming the chair across from them.
Evie avoided looking at him. At the moment she wasnt sure she could guard her expression. She was just too raw, too overcome. And she didnt want her dad to know shed . . . softened toward the agent. Hed flip.
Women fall for Corbin Blue every day, hed once said, after shed ranted and raved for an hour over Blues treatment of her. Tell me youre too smart to be one of them.
Duh. I totally am. But I have to confess, Im a little surprised by your warning. You adore the man.
I do. Hes like a son to me, and I love him, faults and all. I just dont want those faults anywhere near my daughter.
Yes, Michael said now. Speaking of, Ive been monitoring AIR feed, and they have already spoken to witnesses and watched traffic cams, so they know you were involved, sunbeam. Youll soon be contacted and questioned.
Another round with Agent Gutierrez, she thought with a sigh.
About Solo and John, Michael said to Blue. I have searched and searched, but found nothing. Im sorry. I thought I had a solid lead on Solo, and flew to his home, but there was a woman claiming to be his wife
Wife? Blue burst out.
Michael dug a phone from his pocket and tossed it. I have pictures.
Several minutes passed while Blue studied the images. When he finished, he handed the phone to Evie. She gave him a grateful half smile before flipping through the photos. In them, a sweet-looking blonde was pulling weeds in a garden . . . feeding horses . . . pigs . . . goats. She appeared harmless, but then, appearances never meant jack.
The woman whod sliced and diced Claire had
Shut that crap down.
Her name is Vika, Michael said, and she told me Solo survived the explosion, that he was sold to her fathers circus and later returned to his home planet, with no way back.
True? Or a great cover story for his murder?
Blue massaged the back of his neck. So, Solo was the one sold?
Michaels brow furrowed with confusion. What do you mean?
I overheard a conversation between two men at the bomb site. They planned to sell one of us, and I assumed it was John. They planned to keep one of us, and I assumed it was Solo. They also planned to burn one of us. And since a guy doused me with accelerant, Im clearly Mr. Battered and Deep Fried. So, if Solo was sold to the circus, that means . . .
John was kept, not sold, Evie said. As a sex slave? The same fate he probably would have endured anyway. Oh, John. Dont give up hope. Were coming for you. But where?
Blue gripped the arms of the chair in an obvious bid to control his rising anger. I will find him. Find them both.
Well go to Solos farm, she suggested, and chat up the girl. Maybe she knows more than she told Michael, maybe she doesnt. I was always good at interrogation. If good was the new word for mediocre. For some reason, people did not respond well to her. No matter how much force she used. Ill take a crack at her.
He rested his elbows on his knees and dipped his head. She knew he was hurting deep, deep inside and knew hed hoped to learn John and Solo were okay. She wanted to go to him and put her arms around him, to assure him everything would be all right.
The desire confused her. Yearning for his kisses she understood. Offering comfort? Not so much.
I would stake my life on the fact that Vika was not involved, Michael said.
Would you stake Johns? Evie asked.
A confident nod. Trust me, this is all Gregory Stars doing.
Blue stiffened. Theres no room for error in this. Doesnt it strike you as odd that theres so much evidence pointing to him, yet hes been so careful to hide his tracks in the past? He paused to ponder, as if the thoughts were only now coming to him. This could be a setup, or a misdirection. We
No setup, no misdirection. I saw him there, at the house, Michael said. I woke up, and saw all three of you on the ground, motionless. I fought my way free of the debris and stumbled toward you. Then I heard voices and wasnt sure if they belonged to friend or foe. I hid under the rubble, intending to find out and strike if necessaryI still had a gun on meand got a look at Star and another male, but passed out before I could do anything about it.
A gleam of determination and hate darkened Blues eyes. Okay, then.
Definite target in sight now.
Hes gotten cocky, I guess, Michael said. He messed up. It happens.
Yes, it did.
What was his motive? Blue asked.
That, Michael replied, Im not sure about.
Why dont we snatch Mr. Star, torture him for answers, and then kill him? Evie suggested.
Snatching him will be a problem, Michael said. Hes too well guarded. And if we failed and he retaliated . . . No, well have better luck with stealth.
She could do stealth. He has two kids. Tyson and Tiffany. We can abduct one or both and offer a trade. That was stealth, right?
Michael shook his head. Ive done business with him. He isnt the type to cave to demands, even to save the lives of his children. Hes the kind to hurt John to prove a point.
Blue lifted his head, his determination undaunted. Do you have eyes and ears on him?
Unfortunately, no, Michael said with a sigh. Thats why I need you to go public, Blue. I have a plan.
Wait, Evie said.
Michael held up one hand for silence. I dont think Star knows you work for me, Blue, he continued. Ive taken down several of his guards in the past few days, and your name has never been mentioned. If Im wrong, and he does, youll find out pretty quick.
Meaning, he would be bait. Are you sure thats the wisest course of action?
Yes, Blue said. And Im fine with that.
Well, I dont agree, she replied.
He shrugged his wide shoulders. Im still going to do it.
Michael, she said.
Danger is part of the business, her father said. Supporting his boy. As always. Gaze on Blue, he added, As soon as the world knows youre in town, arrange an accidental meeting with the daughter. Star no longer goes out in public. He stays in his country estate, always surrounded by armed men, both human and otherworlder. Tiffany might be your ticket to a face-to-face with Daddy dearest.
Blue nodded. Consider it done.
Before we go that route, Evie said, unsure why her body was now so tense, we should break into that country estate and have a look around, plant a few bugs. We can get in and out without anyone realizing. B and E isnt the same as trying to haul a body out, yeah.
Her father met her stare, nodded. All right. Break in. Snatch Star if youve got a green light. But dont you dare get caught. Afterward, if Star isnt in custody, youll move forward with my plan.
A concession. She took it gratefully. What about you?
I cant go public yet. Im not strong enough to defend myself from a full-on attack.
We can protect
No, he said, cutting her off. I have something else in mind. I want you to take over Black Industries, sunbeam. That way you can set up a preseason exhibition game between the Invaders and Strikers to honor my precious memory. And that way you have a legitimate reason to contact Tyson Star to rent out the roof of the Star Light Hotel for a victory celebration.
I dont know about that, Blue spoke up. Ill have the Star kids covered with Tiffany.
The competitive spirit shed once hated peeked from the shadows, and Evie smirked at him. Two is better than one.
No, Blue said again, with more force this time.
Yee-ess, she replied in a singsong.
Michael looked from one to the other and frowned. Its your turn now. How did you two hook up?
Hook up. A poor choice of words. Her cheeks flamed.
Blue gave nothing away. After the explosion, Evie was the only person I could trust, he said, his tone just as bland. I snuck into her house and she patched me up. It was as simple as that.
Smiling, Michael reached out to ruffle her hair, just as shed always wanted him to do to her when she was a child. Thank you for taking care of my boy.
His boy.
And there was the jealousy she used to feel, a companion to the competitiveness; she tamped down both. Michael loved his boys, yes, but that didnt preclude his loving Evie, too.
One day she would gather the courage to ask him why hed left her in England.
Although . . . if hed taken her away from Claire, she would have hated him. So maybe hed actually done her a service.
Now, what are we going to do about taking care of my girl? Michael said. The car chase has me spooked.
Ive already had to move in, Blue said. We planned to keep it secret anyway, so my coming back to life and going after Tiffany wont change anything. No one will know Im there, and yet Ill still be able to protect her. Its a win-win.
Evie shook her head. I was okay with a move-in when you were dead to the world, but not now. People will be watching you. Sneaking over will be difficult. You will be caught. So, no. You wont be staying. Youll be moving out. I wont be the girl responsible for your newest breakup.
Too late.
Oh, yeah.
Im a horrible person.
She couldnt even fall back on an Im-going-to-leave-him-alone-from-now-on cushion. She had decided to sleep with him.
And that right there was another reason playing house with him was no longer an option.
We wont try to keep my presence a secret, then.
I wont be the girl you cheat on with Tiffany, she retorted.
Shes right, Michael said, his tone just as sharp.
Blue raised his chin. I dont care what the world thinks. Im ending things with Pagan the moment I go public. His gaze bore into Evie. But if you want everyone to think Tiffany is the reason for the breakup, rather than my move-in with you, and that Im seeing you behind her back, that can be arranged.
No. I dont want that. How big of a douche would she be, letting another woman take the heat for her actions? Besides, she didnt want him with Tiffany at all. Not even in the mind of others.
Gah. She was already acting like a live-in girlfriend.
His gaze never strayed from her. Im spending the evenings in your home one way or the other, princess. Pick the other and Ill make sure you regret it. He turned his attention to Michael. Ill be sleeping in a guest room. Right now Im the only person you can trust with her safety.
Michael scrubbed a hand over his weary features. Now hes the one whos right, sunbeam.
What!
Before you protest, her father added, then sighed, and it was clear he was fading fast, his eyelids drooping, his shoulders pulling in, dont protest. If anything happened to you . . .
She squeezed his hand, his concern washing away her next objection. Fine. Blue can stay at my house, but first I need you to tell me you know Im well able to take care of myself.
His smile was sad. I do. Ive always known. But one thing you have failed to learn is that it never hurts to have backup.
Eleven
BLUE RESTED FOR A few hours but got up early to shower and clean the dye out of his hair. He threw away the contacts and removed all of the piercings, happy to be Bad Boy Chic again. He still had a line of scar tissue, but it would be gone in another day or two.
If Evie asked, hed give himself a new one.
He dressed in a black T-shirt and slacks. Spares of Michaels. Blue hadnt expected to stay the night, so he hadnt brought any extras. He headed to the kitchen.
Evie had beaten him there.
She leaned against the counter, sipping at a steaming mug of coffee. The sight of her arrested him. She had such long lashes. And were those faint little smudges on her nose freckles?
How had he never noticed them before?
She puckered her lips to blow on the coffee, both top and bottom red and deliciously swollen, as if shed nibbled on them all through the night.
She, too, had found the necessary supplies to return her hair to its normal dark luster, the wavy locks flowing freely. Shed ditched the silicone bra, her breasts once again a perfect teacup shape.
Creeper! Stop eyeing her like you want to eat her.
Mmm . . . I want to eat her.
Cursing, he bit his tongue until he tasted blood. He hated challenges, he decided. Because he wanted Evie, desperately, and her parentage was one challenge he could never overcome.
If she were anyone other than Michaels daughter, Blue would carry her to bed. Here. Now. But she was his daughter, so he couldnt.
Gotta have sex soon. His body couldnt take much more frustration without causing a worldwide power surge.
And yet, the thought of being with anyone else left him . . . hollow.
No one else would taste as good. Or feel as soft and warm. No one else would give back as good as she got and take whatever she wanted. No one else would satisfy him.
Michaels still sleeping, she said, breaking the silence.
Perfect. No way Blue would be able to hide the raging party in his pants.
I checked him over. His vitals are stable.
Hell be in prime shape before you know it. He confiscated the mug from her and drank before she could protest. Listen, Im going to arm up and head out. I want to case Stars house before I go in.
Before you go in? I think you mean we.
Hardly. But he had to tread carefully here. With Evie, he couldnt use old faithful: Its too dangerous, sugar dumpling, so let the big, bad man go and save the day. She would empty out his liver and fill it with rocks.
Honestly, buttercup? he said. No matter how skilled you are, youll just get in my way. To get in and out undetected, Ill have to move at a speed you wont ever be able to match.
Her lips thinned as she peered over at him. He held her stare without flinchingand, somehow, without grinning. He should be frightened rather than amused. If anyone could kill him and bury the evidence, it was this woman. But then, he was only just beginning to realize how much he liked the strong, fierce firecracker and her diabolical mind.
I need you here, he added, at the computer, watching my back. Literally. He would have a night-vision camera attached to the back collar of his shirt, streaming live feed. Its a job John and Solo have done many times in the past, not something meant to keep the little woman home safe. I promise.
Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. Youre lying.
We dont lie to each other, baby doll. Remember?
The fight drained out of her, and she nodded. All right. But you better come back free of injuries, or I will slice off your favorite body part, name it something filthy and wrong, and sell it to the highest bidder.
Again he wanted to grin. With those words, he realized Evie Black didnt just desire him with the same fervency he desired hershe also liked him as much as he liked her. Something hed noticed: she only threatened people she cared about.
Im in trouble with this one, arent I?
* * *
As the sun set on the horizon, shadows began to thicken. Blue was able to place ten small cameras on the perimeter of Stars country home, a huge compound surrounded by an iron gate, armed guards, and a forest of fake green trees.
Done with the outside, he whispered. He was roughly thirty yards from the mansion, hidden by a massive trunk. Not to mention the fact that his clothing had tiny microchips woven throughout, causing the fabric to blend with his surroundings every time he moved.
Ive disabled the laser sensors, Evie said through the piece in his ear. Avoid the middle of the gate and you should be fine.
Should?
Lets find out together.
Funny. Im about to go in.
Your six is clear.
All right. Im moving in. For protection, he had a pyre-gun, an image cloak, and a few daggers. For surveillance, he had a single sheet of microbugstwenty-five peel-and-stick tabs to place throughout the home. Unless you see something, I need you to be quiet from now on. Her sexy voice was a distraction he couldnt afford.
Roger that.
Deep breath in . . . hold . . . hold . . . As he released it, he surged forward, out from the shade and into the waning sunlight, moving at such a swift pace the guards would only register the slightest blur. He climbed the gate. As he placed a bug on the north, east, south, and west walls, he searched for the best entrance into the home. No one shot at him. No one cried out a warning.
See something. Three giggling women in lingerie just snaked a corner behind you, Evie said, her voice a caress in his ears. Please tell me you didnt accidentally stumble into a harem . . . oops. Shutting up now.
Cant laugh. A guard exited a side door. There. He slipped inside, unnoticed, as the metal began to close, and found himself in . . . a break room. Eight men. All armed. Some playing cards, some watching monitors that displayed the house grounds. He couldnt slow; he would give himself away. He had to keep going, even though he didnt know the layout.
When he reached a hallway with only one guard, he seized the opportunity. Finally slowing . . . stopping, Blue placed a hand over the males nose and mouth, and pinched his carotid, cutting off both of his airways. It wasnt long before the guy sagged in his arms, a deadweight. He dragged the guy into a nearby storage closet.
While weve got a moment, lets revisit the lingerie, he whispered to Evie. You ever wear any? Working as swiftly as possible, he switched off the chips in his clothing and held the image cloaka small black band with a camera in the centerat the top of the guards head and scanned all the way to his feet.
Actually, I prefer to go commando, she admitted.
He moaned. How was he supposed to keep his hands off her now?
Michael, thats how.
But Michael would understand if he caved. Surely.
As soon as the guards identity registered, Blue snapped the band around his own neck, and the guards hologram was cast, front and back, shielding his identity. Here goes. Radio silence again.
Blue stepped into the hall and walked as if he were simply out on patrol. He reached around every door and, without pausing, placed a bug in . . . a sitting room . . . a bedroom . . . another bedroom . . . He marched downstairs, took a corner. People buzzed around in the kitchen, preparing the evening meal. He anchored another bug.
In a perfect world, he would find John locked in a room. Or down here, in a cell. And Solo would burst through the entrance to help him. Together, they would free John.
In a less-than-perfect world, Blue would find something to point him to their locations.
In a crappy shithole of a world, he would find nothing.
He was in a crappy shithole.
Hed been so hopeful. Frustration poked at his power, and that power expanded inside him until his skin felt taut, ready to rip apart at the seams.
Keep it together. One last room to bug. The most important.
Blue searched until he found Stars office. The doors were closed and locked, and he would bet Star was inside, working. He could sneak inside and try to use voice compulsion, forcing Star to lead him out to safety and then to tell him everything he wanted to know. But there were two flaws in that plan. One, guards would come gunning for him and he couldnt hold them all off at once without emptying himself. And if he emptied himself, he couldnt carry Star awayor save John and Solo, if they were nearby. Two, half the population was immune to the compulsion. Star could be one of the immune.
Youve got two males coming in hot, Evie announced.
Great.
Marco, a deep voice said.
Blue placed the last bug on the office door. No way could he get in without blowing his cover. He turned. As promised, two males were barreling toward him, both frowning.
Marco. What are you doing down here?
I think youre Marco, Evie prompted.
Yeah. Probably. But Blue couldnt say a single word to the guyshe wouldnt have Marcos voice. That meant he had to go with plan B.
He released a small ring of power. Not enough to render Blue completely useless afterward, but enough to weaken him as he disabled the guards. The two grunted and jerked before slumping to the floor.
He considered the consequences worth the reward.
Nice, Evie said, but you better get out of there before theyre found and an alarm is tripped.
Blue kicked into high gearwhich wasnt as high as it had been beforepropelling outside. He raced across the lawn . . . no alarm . . . he climbed the iron gate . . . no alarm . . .
He jumped into his waiting car and sped down the street, constantly glancing at the rearview mirror to see if he was being followed.
How long before youre back at the boathouse? Evie asked.
He thought he heard the words she didnt say: How long before youre safe?
Missing me already, princess? How sweet.
Blue! Im being serious.
How adorable was the pout in her voice?
Dude. Youve got it bad.
And it was only getting worse.
Ill be there first thing in the morning, he said, more sharply than hed intended.
Morning? Tell me youre kidding. The pout was replaced by a growl. I have no intention of taking the evening off. I need to pay a visit to AIR headquarters to discuss the car chase and pump Agent Gutierrez for information.