The Shoes Come First: A Jennifer Cloud Novel

by Janet Leigh

  ~

  Ace and I sat on the sectional waiting for Marco. “Did you get a load of that body?” Ace asked me. “Yum.”

  I picked up a magazine off the coffee table and thumbed through the ads.

  “Puh-lease control yourself, we are trying to get him to help us.”

  “Don’t tell me you didn’t notice how yummy he was?” Ace leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.

  OK, maybe I did notice. I gave Ace an eye roll. Ace smirked. A buzzing noise sounded from his pants pocket. He reached in and pulled out a cell phone.

  Checking his phone, he grimaced. “We better hurry. The boss man is wanting to know our ETA.”

  “Tell him I wasn’t ready.”

  “It’s your heinie, sugar,” he replied as he typed in a response.

  Marco entered the room smooth-shaved and completely clothed in ripped jeans and a white T-shirt. He sat with one hip on the arm of the sofa.

  “Why are you here? I take it since Ace is here also, you are one of them?”

  “I sort of just got inducted.”

  “Congratulations,” he said mockingly. “Where is your key?” He pointed to my empty neck.

  “Where is yours?” I asked back.

  “Mine is safely tucked away so the likes of the people you work with and others don’t end up killing me.”

  “Now, Marco, you know the WTF didn’t have anything to do with your granddaddy’s death,” Ace said.

  Marco’s blue eyes clouded, and I could see a wall start to form.

  “Ace, we are here about Gertie, remember?”

  “What’s wrong with Gertie?” Marco asked.

  “The Mafusos took her.” I explained our trip back to 1915 and how we grabbed Mitchell, but they took Gertie, thinking she belonged to the key.

  “Since you have connections with the Mafusos, we thought maybe you could help us,” I asked.

  “I’m sure Ace explained I don’t travel anymore.”

  “Don’t you care what might happen to Gertie or to us if they continue taking our keys?”

  “It’s really not my problem, and I have a wedding to attend today.” He stood and tapped the face of his Tag watch.

  “We know about the wedding; I was hoping to go with you. I think Gertie might be held captive at the house.”

  “I dunno,” said Marco.

  “I guess since you retired your key, winning races doesn’t come so easy?” Ace asked. “And how does your transporter feel about her destiny being taken from her?”

  Marco didn’t seem to like the insinuation Ace was making. “I will do what’s necessary to protect my family.”

  I sat looking confused. “I’m not sure what y’all are talking about, but Gertie is my family, and I have to help her.”

  Marco looked at Ace. “You didn’t tell her?”

  “I can’t—it’s classified.” Ace pouted.

  “They classified me?” This brought a smile to Marco’s face.

  “Ace, you are glowing.” Marco pointed a finger to Ace’s key.

  “Oh damn, I forgot to watch the time.” He held up a watchless wrist and did a palms up. “They are probably all going to come here.”

  “Who is ‘all’?” asked Marco.

  “Oh, Caiyan, Brodie, probably some WTF agents. It’s going to get pretty crowded in here.”

  “No, you don’t. Don’t bring all those bastards here. Get out, now.” Marco stood and pointed toward the door.

  Ace grabbed his chest and doubled over in pain. I rushed to his side. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m being summoned, quite painfully, I might add,” he said, clutching his side.

  “How can Brodie do that?” I asked.

  “Not Brodie…Caiyan,” Marco answered. “One of the many so-called gifts he inherited.”

  “C’mon, Ace, let’s get you outta here before Caiyan decides to be really mean,” Marco said, helping Ace up.

  I couldn’t believe Caiyan would do that to his own teammate. Physical pain. I was beginning to see a side of him I didn’t understand.