Spring

by Jessica Florence

  His posture remained calm but the air stilled around us, a clue as to his inner emotions.

  “I’m watching the situation. It’s unclear who this Collector is, and what he or she wants. But the Collector is somehow using gifts in vile ways. You don’t need to be concerned about it. We can handle whatever comes our way.” He stared so hard into my eyes that I felt exposed, then he turned to continue his work like the topic wasn’t a big deal.

  I stood there, confused and unsure of my emotions. I’d gone from concerned to horny, then admiration.

  Maddox didn’t want to push me behind him and protect me like a caveman would. He said “we” in his sentence. “We can handle whatever comes our way.” He saw me as an equal. I hated the thought that being seen as an equal would make me fall to my knees in awe but so many men in our world still thought they ruled over women. They had the right to make decisions for us, hold us back for our protection, and use us for our bodies then tell us what we can do with it. Vessels and property. I’d witnessed it first, as did so many others. Maddox screamed alpha male, but he wasn’t the typical controlling asshole most would associate with the alpha title. He walked with confidence, he didn’t speak much but he considered his words carefully, and he didn’t try to steamroll me in the few days since he’d been here.

  The ground seemed to slip out from beneath my bare feet, and I felt unstable.

  What in the world was happening?

  “Ok,” I muttered, feeling at odds as a singer who wrote songs for a living being rendered speechless by this complex Viking of a man.

  “Anything else?” He didn’t look up to see me standing there like an open-mouthed statue, waiting for birds to make a nest in.

  “I have to go to the city tomorrow for an interview, and then I’d like to stay for a few nights. I’m sure, by now if you didn’t know already, I’m part of the Hero Society and I’d like to do some good while I’m there.” I left no room for argument in case he wanted to tell me what I planned was dangerous and I shouldn’t be out at night as a superhero.

  “I’ll drive.”

  I walked into the house, still unable to figure out how I’d fallen through a portal to some type of twilight zone.

  Petals fell as I walked, and I remembered I had a flower patch in my afro.

  “This is going to be a pain in the ass to get out.” I walked straight to the mirror in my bathroom and began pruning.

  Chapter Twelve

  Maddox

  I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something within Hazel had changed. She didn’t look at me with as much disdain in her eyes. Hope planted itself inside my heart, but only time would tell if it grew into something beautiful.

  “This truck is so bad for the environment,” she sneered as she hopped into my truck and reluctantly buckled herself in. Her first reaction to my Toyota Tundra was to call her driver to pick her up, but then realized she wouldn’t draw as much attention to herself in my truck unlike the electric SUV he drove. The less crowd she ran into, the simpler her time in the city would be.

  “What sort of mileage does this thing get?”

  “About fourteen miles to the gallon city driving. Maybe sixteen or eighteen on the highways.” I figured those numbers were pretty good for a civilian truck. If she hated the mileage on this one, she’d hate the military’s vehicles even more.

  “So awful.” She feigned gagging and I smiled. She was still a dramatic woman.

  We didn’t talk the rest of the drive to Seahill, and the remainder of the day we kept things completely professional. All banter and sass ceased. I was her bodyguard, and she was the celebrity. Her interview went perfectly in my opinion, not that my opinion on this subject mattered. I liked solitude, and the adrenaline of the Air Force. Being the center of attention like she had grown accustomed to tasted foreign to me.

  Hazel had always been a natural in front of crowds, even in jeans and T-shirt with no bra like she sat now. People loved her and the genuineness she presented. She cared about the environment, women’s rights, and people of color. Her passion made anyone who heard her speak want to stand up and fight. In battle she would be the leader giving the speeches that went down in history and rallied those behind her to win. I wanted to follow her into whatever hellhole she’d let me.

  We’d dropped our bags off at an apartment she had kept for days like this. The apartment was spacious, with a view of the city but still had her bright flair. Plants and dashes of color decorated the modern apartment. I took one of the spare rooms and she declared she wanted to soak in the bath before we left to grab food. Apparently, an Italian restaurant nearby had a cauliflower pizza she salivated over. Cauliflower pizza, I guess I shouldn’t had thought of following her into any hellhole she wished. I may need to draw the line with some of her vegetarian substitutes, pizza being one of those.

  I checked over the schedule Shayla emailed me and saw nothing on there for tonight or tomorrow. In two days, Hazel left for Austin, Texas, to speak at a women’s conference. We’d be there for two days, then head back so she could continue working on her music in peace.

  Thirty minutes later, Hazel stepped out of her suite wearing yoga pants and a shirt labeled, Namaste in Bed. I smiled at her sense of humor.

  “Ready to go?” she asked.

  I powered down my tablet where I’d been searching for any collector news. “Yes.”

  She looked me over as I opened the door. Without any doubt, Hazel found me attractive, and if it kept her smiling around me, then I’d use what I had to my advantage.

  Our walk to Pizza Piazza took five minutes, and no one had stopped Hazel for an autograph or picture. I’d wager the restaurant would be chaos shortly after we arrived, and I’d have to stand guard while she ate. Apartments sat on top of the restaurant, which led me to believe this place wasn’t a fancy Italian joint but a metropolitan stop where those who lived above could walk down to grab some grub.

  I opened the door for her, and quickly surveyed the layout. Everything seemed quiet as we walked in, and my stomach growled once the smell of the food hit me. My mouth watered at the thought of taking a bite of meat covered in sauce. No one came to greet us, so I gestured for Hazel to walk ahead of me to pick a table. Instead of strutting toward the seating area, she moved in the opposite direction.

  “Hazel?” I prodded. Maybe she needed to use the restroom? As her bodyguard, I needed to know where she was, especially in public settings like this.

  “This way.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door that said, Janitor’s Closet on it. Woah, what the fuck was happening here? She opened the door, and indeed, the small space contained janitorial contents.

  I raised my eyebrow inquisitively at her and she pushed me in.

  “Interesting turn of events,” I commented suspiciously. I wouldn’t mind if Hazel wanted to explore things physically, but it seemed too soon.

  “I didn’t bring you in here to have sex with you. What kind of woman do you think I am?”

  So many scenarios flooded my brain, and I nearly bit my tongue off trying to keep them from coming out. The kind of woman whose ass would fit perfectly in my hands as I fucked her against the wall? The kind of woman who would push me on the bed, then ride me cowgirl, using me for her pleasure? The kind of woman who secretly wanted to be dominated in bed? A groan rumbled within my chest with every sexy thought.

  “This is the entrance to the Hero Society headquarters.” She lifted a switch somewhere and doors opened, revealing a secret location for a secret superhero society hidden inside an Italian restaurant. Life with Hazel was complicated, and it was about to get more chaotic.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Hazel

  Maddox’s eyebrow lifted as we stepped into the elevator. I ran my keycard through the slider for identification and down we went. I’d found the fact that the headquarters of the Hero Society was under an Italian restaurant strange, but once I saw everything they offered, I didn’t object. A full kitchen, living room, contai
nment area for questioning, and a workout room equipped with everything imaginable. The apartments above the restaurant housed people with gifts who had no homes. Many weren’t wanted and had no where to go. Phillip Griffin gave them a safe haven. Those who wished to train and do good, could, and those who wanted to live as close to a normal life as they wanted could do that, too.

  The doors opened, and Phillip stood in our view with an envelope in his grasp.

  “Welcome, Maddox, Hazel.”

  “Should have known,” Maddox mumbled, and I elbowed him in the side. He was here with me, and he’d play nice.

  “Here is your keycard to enter headquarters whenever you’d like and a communicator. We usually put them in watches or jewelry. Welcome to the Hero Society, Maddox.” Phillip handed my bodyguard the superhero contents, which were begrudgingly accepted.

  “Finally got ya.” Phillip winked at the man and then strode down the hall toward the communications room, where the eighteen-year-old computer genius who practically lived in that room kept the world safe.

  “He tried to recruit you before?” I peered at Maddox curiously, wondering why he accepted this time and not any others.

  “Yes, about a year ago. Shortly after they started over.”

  “Me, too.” I’d been doing my best to help mankind ever since I found out about my powers, but now I had a family with the Hero Society. These people were truly bound together in something more powerful than friendship. Although I didn’t have time for many friends, when I came into the city, I hung out with some of the heroes when I could.

  “I’ve heard about the mysterious Black Lily using her plant powers to save the day. I assume that would be you?” A smile formed on his lips, and I felt like bumping my shoulder against his massive body.

  “At first I thought superhero names were lame, but it helps with my real identity, and it’s inspired some people. I saw little girls dressed up in costumes like mine for Halloween, and teens put forth more effort into saving the Earth because of me. I have a huge platform as Hazel Kennedy to do good in the world, then add in Black Lily and I am covering more ground.”

  I knew my passion radiated from me. It always did when I talked about my dreams. I wanted to inspire and help build our world into the best version it could be.

  “I’m not sure I want a superhero name,” he grumbled while looking around the room, tearing his gaze away from my beaming expression.

  “You could be Wind Man, passing wind wherever he goes.” I laughed. “Criminals will run in fear.” Being with him made me silly and carefree. We were establishing a new relationship.

  He didn’t say a word, and that made me giggle.

  “My squad called me Tornado. Everywhere I went, I fucked things up like a tornado.”

  I wanted to continue laughing, but something in his tone sobered me. “We’ll figure it out. I really don’t expect you to join and be a part of this. Helping people is my thing. I like it. You don’t need to be with me all the time while I’m not Hazel Kennedy. I only brought you because I knew you would be pissed if I left you in the restaurant.”

  I lied. I wanted him to do this with me and be a part of the Hero Society. I’m not sure why, and I didn’t care to analyze it.

  “I’m not leaving Hazel Kennedy again, even when she’s saving people in a night job as a sexy superhero.”

  I dug my nails into my palms, fighting off any powers trying to sprout from the warm emotions growing within. He said sexy disguise. Did that mean Maddox found me sexy? He keeps saying he won’t leave me again. I wanted to believe him, but I’d thought that once before.

  “Thanks. Let’s get something to eat and see what happens. Something always seems to go wrong in this city, and we’ll be there.” I walked down the hall to the kitchen. No one was in there, but two plates of food sat on the table with our names next to it.

  “I’m guessing this is a normal thing?” Maddox perused the delicious goods with hungry eyes.

  “Yeah, you get used to it. Phillip tends to spoil his family a lot, and if you’re in the Hero Society, then you’re part of the family.”

  Whether he could hear me or not, I yelled a thank you to Phillip for the food.

  “Mmmm. Chicken.” Maddox admired the red sauce-covered meat over pasta before him. I rolled my eyes and looked lovingly at my Italian veggie bake. Without waiting, we both dived into our meals and didn’t talk for the duration. Despite wanting to try many of Pizza Piazza’s vegetarian dishes, I always ended up choosing this favorite.

  After we finished, we sat back against the comfy chairs with our bellies satiated and we resumed conversation.

  “I want to help someone if they need it, but I kinda hope nothing happens in the next thirty minutes. I’m so full.” My hands rubbed my stomach dramatically.

  As if on cue, both of our communicators went off about a car dealership theft in progress.

  “I shouldn’t have said anything.” In reality, excitement coursed through my veins. I took us down the elevator to the gym and the locker rooms where our outfits waited. I always kept a change of clothes here for when I was around. Phillip usually made sure everyone had a disguise, so I knew Maddox would have a locker with his name on it and an outfit inside. When I changed into my suit, a high settled within me with the possibility of helping someone, similar to the anticipation I experienced when I stepped onto a stage in front of thousands of people.

  I didn’t look at my appearance on the way out of the room, I knew what I looked like, since the outfit never changed. My black-and-white catsuit accentuated my curves and my thick thighs fantastically. I liked that it wasn’t all leather, so I didn’t sweat wearing it. The knee-high boots kept my feet comfy. Half of my face was covered with a mask that stayed attached to my skin no matter what, and my hair was wrapped in vines with black flowers. I’d been given the name for the outfit I wore because I was a black woman and my power was plants. I accepted the name Black Lily with pride. I helped people while representing my people of color in the Hero Society.

  “Ready to go?” Maddox’s voice had me turning with an eagerness I should have to see his attire.

  Eagerly, I faced him. Sugar snaps. I regretted bringing him into this side of my world. He looked even more handsome dressed up for hero work, if that were possible. In fact, seeing him in the outfit Phillip had made my knees wobble. He wore a blue-black short-sleeved shirt which molded to his muscled torso. Black tactical pants tucked into black boots. A mask covered the majority of his head and neck, leaving his eyes, mouth, chin, and toned arms as the only exposed skin on him. He looked hot and sexy.

  “Great, let’s go.” I walked to the elevator, ignoring the desire to sway my hips with a little extra “umph” in them, as we made our way toward the theft in progress.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Maddox

  “Show off!” Hazel hollered at me from across the street, where she’d made a tree limb grow and snatched the passenger from the stolen car.

  Four men had broken into the expensive dealership with guns shooting and took two cars. I’d stopped the first one after it passed one block from the dealer, while she ran after the second. I’d used my power to help her and swept the car into a tiny tornado, then set them down just as Hazel arrived and pulled the passenger. The driver grabbed his gun, aiming it straight for Hazel, and I sent a strong gust of wind to whisk the gun from his hands, and I was on him. Without much effort, I lifted the man up by his shirt and tossed him on the ground.

  “Stay.” I pointed and added a little extra air pushing on him to make sure his body stayed against the asphault.

  “You OK?” I asked Hazel, as she sauntered over to me to assess the damage. The second car and the criminals were fine. This wasn’t my first time doing something like this. I was called Tornado for tearing shit apart but I’d learned how to cause little destruction when needed.

  “Yeah. I love this feeling.” She sounded breathless but elated. Despite not thinking I’d be a good fit for the Hero
Society, I’d stay just to hear and see her happiness as she did what she did. Truthfully, Hazel created a life that brought her joy both as a singer, and a hero. She had the best of both worlds and could direct her passion into a purpose.

  “What do we do now?” I asked. The police sirens grew louder.

  “We can wait for the police, then hand these guys over or we can get out of here. It’s kind of a personal choice. I usually try to get away before police come, if possible. AJ, the computer genius at headquarters, finds conspiracies on the internet with voice comparisons between singer me and superhero me. I try to stay away from talking if I can, so I don’t give myself away.”

  The police cars’ tires screeched as they turned around the corner toward our location. I could keep this guy on the ground with my power until they got there without much effort. It felt nice actually to let a little out of the reserves. I nodded, and we both headed toward an alley. I airlifted us up onto the rooftop and smiled when Hazel giggled.

  “That’s fun.” She looked at me with the same lightness in her eyes that she had when we were kids playing in the forest. Before I could react, her arms were wrapped around me, squeezing me in a tight embrace.

  “I missed playing with you, Maddox,” she admitted, and it seemed I wasn’t the only one feeling nostalgic.

  “I never stopped missing you.” Maybe saying it out loud wasn’t the best choice, this new development between us needed to be handled with gentle care, but the words were out.

  Her arms released me and my stomach dropped.

  “I think we can head back to the apartment or headquarters to change now. Unless we get another call, then we have some free time.” She didn’t look at me. It had been too soon to say my feelings out loud. I’d have to deal with the consequences of my premature admission.