Hotwire

by Cindy M. Hogan

  I nodded, trying to look contemplative, which wasn’t hard because I was processing everything he was saying. They probably sent vory to hit up the local junkyards to get VIN numbers from cars that were similar to the ones they were stealing. As far as a forged title, that was another matter.

  “Now, let’s talk about how you hook up to the computer system. You’re wasting about ten seconds doing it the way you are.” He then went on to explain how he shaved off that ten seconds.

  “I guess you’re the man I’m supposed to ask if I have any questions. Are you the official trainer?”

  He chuckled. “You could call me that.”

  “Well, I don’t want to call you anything that you really aren’t.” I turned pointedly to him. “What are you exactly?”

  “Someone you want on your side.” His voice was serious, deadly.

  We’d only walked a block when he said, “Now, try to do what I told you to do when hooking up the computer this time.”

  I’d been a little lost in my thoughts and hadn’t noticed we’d arrived at our next lift. It turned out that we completed eight lifts together within a mile radius, and we were inching up on that three-minute miracle he and Mikado had pulled off the other day. The competitive side of me wanted to beat it.

  After we loaded the last car, he hopped out of the semi with a definite happiness that wasn’t there when I’d first met with him. We headed into the subway and, once on the platform, he picked me up and swung me around while he hollered out. He set me down and said, “That was awesome. We are quite the team.” His hands gripped my upper arms, but he let go in a rush as his eyes fell on something behind us. I readied myself to take a hold of the knife in my shoe as I turned around. Jericho stepped back and chewed on his bottom lip.

  Viktor stood not ten feet from us, his face stony, cold.

  He took a few steps forward, his head cocked to the side. “I agree, Jericho. You two did make a great team.” He enunciated Jericho in a way that negated whatever words followed it. Did they not like each other? If not, why did Jericho invite him to his party? My question was answered when Viktor stepped forward and took my hand in his. “Do you agree, Amber? Were you two quite the team?” The malice in his voice sent a bold shiver to my chest.

  I wanted to remove my hand from his, but something close to a deep fear, along with the plan I knew I had to follow, kept me from it. I couldn’t risk alienating Viktor. Not now. Truth be told, I didn’t want to be near either one. “I did shave forty seconds off my time with him today. He’s a decent teacher.”

  Jericho clenched his jaw for a split second. I was sure he was hoping I’d give him a glowing review, and the word decent made him want to hit someone. He gave a curt nod. The train roared in, and I had the feeling I was at a shoot-out between the two of them.

  The train’s doors opened with a whoosh. Viktor broke the staring match. “Isn’t that your train, Jericho?”

  “It is.”

  “And it’s mine, too.”

  Viktor pulled me close to him. “I’ll take you home. There’s no telling what kind of creeps you might run into on the subway this time of night. But you,” he looked at Jericho. “You better hurry.”

  Jericho glanced at me and then rushed to the train, barely slipping inside as the doors shut.

  Viktor pulled me around to face him. “Was he bothering you tonight?”

  There was obviously some kind of power struggle between the two of them. Not sure if he wanted a yes or a no, I decided on the truth. “Actually, no. He was super helpful, like I said. I’ll be a pro in no time if I continue to learn from him.” I made sure not to say work with him, in hopes Viktor wouldn’t think about the time I would have to spend with him. It didn’t really matter though. In less than a month, they’d both just be a memory. In the meantime, it was Viktor I had to keep close. He had the most direct link to Alexander. I gazed up into his eyes, smiling slightly.

  His features softened.

  “Thanks for saving me from another nasty ride on the subway.” I gave him a bigger smile, and he pulled me into a deep hug.

  He spoke to the top of my head. “You were amazing tonight. Nine T-cars in under three hours. My uncle is really impressed.”

  “T-cars?”

  “Top cars. You know, ones that cost big bucks.”

  “Oh. I get it.” I pulled back slightly and then wished I hadn’t because he didn’t loosen his grip much. It made it so that my face was only inches from his. Even though I wanted to turn to the side, I feared it would make him see that he repulsed me. I forced myself to hold my position. His eyes dilated and then fell on my lips. Before he could make his move, I said, “Surely, you don’t want our first kiss to happen in the subway.” I raised a single eyebrow.

  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath into his nose, holding it for an extra second before releasing it. He pulled me in for another hug and then released me. “No, I don’t.” He growled and then ran his hands down my arms to my hands, shaking them lightly before letting one of his hands remain in mine. He pulled me, almost running, up the steps and into the late night air.

  He didn’t slow once we made it out. Instead, he jogged, dragging me along behind, to a nearby parkway. He pulled me under a tree and then stopped, his eyes glistening in the lamplight and his breaths coming out hard and ragged. With one hand still in mine, he ran the back of his fingers over my fingers, along my jaw, and rested them under my chin, raising my lips to his. They fluttered across mine, and I took a sharp breath in. His lips became hungry against mine.

  I managed to stop myself from pulling away and slapping him just in time. The instinct to run was strong—Viktor was the last person on earth I’d want exploring my mouth with his, but I couldn’t risk putting him off. He needed to believe I was just as into him as he was into me. He needed a strong incentive to bring me closer into his confidences.

  Unbidden, thoughts of Jeremy sprang into my mind. Somehow, thinking of him made it easier to quell the revulsion I felt with each press of Viktor’s lips. I told myself I wasn’t imagining they were Jeremy’s—that would be impossible. It was just that remembering Jeremy let me remember that I was getting us all one step closer to our goal. That was it.

  Finally, when the kiss had gone on just long enough to encourage him, but not so long that he would take it as permission to go further, I pulled away and sighed.

  Viktor groaned and leaned his forehead against mine, but I just smiled and settled my head into his chest.

  I pocket texted Ace to come out of the apartment to save me. I wanted to give Ace an opportunity to get a tracker on Viktor’s phone. While it wouldn’t be as good as a listening device, it would let us know where he was at all times. That would give us the opportunity to get into his phone to put the listening device in there.

  “You know, Viktor. There’s one thing that is going to ruin all your plans for me.”

  “Yes, and what is that?” he said, seduction thick in his voice.

  “My parents.”

  His head jerked to me. “Your parents? There’s always a way around parents.”

  “I’m surprised you’re saying that after meeting my dad the other night.”

  “We can handle them.”

  “Fifty bucks says they’re waiting for me on the stoop.”

  “It’s one in the morning. They—”

  “They have a strict curfew on school nights. Eleven o’clock. I haven’t been answering their trillion texts. They’ll be on the porch.”

  “I can handle them.”

  “Well, you’d really better get me home. I’m going to be grounded for a year.”

  He grabbed my hand, looking agitated. “I said I would handle them. Trust me.” He squeezed my hand a bit too hard.

  “You don’t know my parents,” I insisted. A part of me wanted him to be afraid or at least respect my parents. I hoped it would help him keep boundaries with me.

  “Parents love me. I’ve never met parents I couldn’t conquer.” He spok
e with a sharp tone that smacked of impatience.

  Looking at his green eyes, exuding charm, I had no doubt it was true. “Whatever you say.” I rolled my eyes and chuckled. “I’m just thinking this was the shortest relationship I’ve ever been in.”

  Chapter 20

  We pulled up in front of the brownstone, and he double parked. I couldn’t see Ace anywhere. I would have to kill him for sleeping and making it possible for Viktor to attack me yet again.

  He must’ve noticed the absence of my parents, too, because he said, “And did I mention that I am the luckiest dude ever? Fifty bucks richer!” He jumped out and opened my door, then led me up to the brownstone entrance. At least, that’s where he thought he was leading me. Out of the dark shadows, Ace jumped in front us before we could touch the first step. His striped oxford was undone at the neck and untucked from his gray slacks, and his tie, still tied around his neck, was a bit loosened. He looked for all the world like a distraught father who’d been waiting on his daughter for hours. He lunged toward Viktor, looking punch-drunk from exhaustion, the rifle still in his hand.

  “Well, hello. Nice of you to bring my daughter home so… so…early.”

  He bumped into Viktor, where I’m sure he tagged his phone, and then moved between me and Viktor. I hoped he got a bug and a tracker and not just a tracker.

  “Where have you been?” He shot Viktor a look that could kill and then focused back on me. “You get in that house right now. You better have a very good reason for your lapse in judgment, young lady.”

  I started up the stairs, impressed and a bit in shock over Ace’s acting abilities, but Viktor didn’t let go of my hand. I pulled, hoping he’d let go.

  “Mr. Smith, please. I’m so sorry. Don’t punish Amber for something that was my fault. You see, we were working on our English presentation on early twentieth century life and fiction. I convinced her that in order to immerse ourselves in that time frame, we couldn’t have our cell phones anywhere near us. We lost track of time—,” he looked down in mock humility. “We were researching the manners and customs, and I just knew we’d never fully understand if we didn’t experience it.”

  He opened his eyes wide, like he wanted me to expand on what he’d said. He was good. “It was really amazing, Dad,” I said. “I learned so much. He had his parents convert part of their restaurant to immerse our study group in the time period. Viktor rented period-appropriate clothes and everything. I just got so swept up in it all—you know, in everything I was learning. I’m so sorry, I had no idea how much time had passed by the time we finished. Then it was so late, I figured you two had gone to bed, and I didn’t want to bother you.”

  He tipped his head to the side like he didn’t buy it.

  “Okay, you got me. I figured you wouldn’t be as mad if you slept on it first. I knew you would be livid, but there was a good reason.”

  Viktor broke in. “Would you like to talk to my parents? They wanted to call you, but I told them to wait until tomorrow so they wouldn’t wake you. I’m sure they’re still up.” He pulled out his phone and pushed a button.

  “No,” Ace said after looking at me raising my eyebrows. “No reason any of us should be up any later than we already have been. Just have them call us tomorrow.”

  Ace pulled the rifle up and aimed it at Viktor. “And I hope for your sake that they corroborate your story.”

  “Dad,” I said, “Do you think you could stop pointing that at him? And where is Mom?”

  He quirked up one side of his mouth and lowered the gun. “She wore herself out crying. Fell asleep a good thirty minutes ago. We’ll need to be careful not to disturb her when we go inside.”

  “Thanks, Dad. Thanks for worrying about me. Honestly, it would have made me feel pretty bad if I had found you in bed when I got here. I love that you care enough about me to wait up.” I hugged Ace and then skipped up a couple of steps. “You’re the best dad a girl could ever have.” I winked at him when Viktor couldn’t see.

  “And you didn’t tell us anything about this social experiment. Had we known where exactly you were, things could have been very different.”

  “I promise to give you all the information you want from now on. And I didn’t know until I got there what the study session entailed this time. We won’t make that mistake again.”

  “You better not,” Ace said, his tone serious.

  “You have my word, Mr. Smith. We will keep you informed.”

  “I want to be able to trust you,” he said to me.

  “I know, Dad. I’m sorry for worrying you. Let’s go in. Believe it or not, I’d really like to climb into bed. Tomorrow morning will come way too quickly.”

  “Good idea,” Ace said. “Thank you for bringing her home. That shows some good judgment, at least. Some.”

  We headed in, and Viktor went to his car. I waved to him and he waved back, a mischievous and arrogant look on his face.

  I counted my blessings that I’d avoided another lip-locking session with him.

  Ace shut the door behind me. “Period-appropriate clothing and full immersion studying, huh?” He tsked. “The lies you teens come up with these days.”

  I shrugged. “He’s creative, you have to give him that.”

  “We had eyes on you until you entered the subway. What happened? Where did you go? We worried when you didn’t get on the train.” We headed for the kitchen. Halluis came in the back door and winked at me, but said nothing. He’d seen the lip-lock, obviously.

  “Yeah, well, Viktor had different plans for me. He—” I spotted Jeremy, leaning on one wall in the kitchen. My face flushed as I remembered how his handsome face had filled my mind when Viktor kissed me. For some reason, I found I didn’t want to mention the kiss in front of him. “He…was waiting for us when we got to the platform. He, uh, wanted to give me a ride home.”

  “Thus the text.” Ace chuckled. “What’s the matter, don’t you want some lip action with that fine young man?” He opened the fridge and pulled out some milk. “Anyone else want some cereal while we debrief?”

  “Cereal? Really?” Halluis said. “What is it about you and cereal in the middle of the night?”

  “When no pizza is available, cereal hits the late-night spot.” He grabbed some cereal and headed for the table.

  Halluis grabbed some bowls and spoons. “Well, it’s disgusting to listen to someone eat cereal when you aren’t. So I guess we’re all in. And the ruse to get the bug on his phone was genius. Way to go.”

  “I’m stuffed,” I said. “I’m the one who’s got to fill you all in anyway. But yeah, great job on the bug. It’ll be nice to know who he’s talking to and when. Is it already online?” I leaned my elbows on the table.

  Ace pulled out his phone and after punching some keys, he said, “Not yet. I wonder why?”

  “Give it a bit, it has a lot of muck to get through.” I chuckled.

  Jeremy still hadn’t said anything. I furrowed my brow. I would have thought congratulations were in order—I’d pulled off the evening with flying colors. Didn’t that merit a word of praise from my mission leader?

  I related all that had happened, minus the make-out session, and how Viktor was certain he could get me into the family dinner at his uncle’s house. “If I can get into his home office, I can find his files, maybe some paperwork. He’s likely to keep his paperwork close to him, right?”

  “It’s a good place to start, in any case,” Halluis said. “We’ve got to rule the house out, may as well be you that does it since there’s no getting in there day or night without some in. It’s a well-guarded fortress.”

  “Good thing you’re so great at sneaking around without being caught,” Jeremy said.

  I bristled. “What does that mean?”

  Jeremy shrugged. “You’re just good at what you do, that’s all I’m saying.”

  “Oh. Thank you,” I said hesitantly. I could have been imagining it, but I thought I’d heard a tone of accusation in his voice. I tried to shake it
off—why would Jeremy be upset? I’d done my job, and I’d done it well. It was only my ridiculous imagination that was making me think that he might be jealous. He probably didn’t even know about the kiss, and if he did, why should he care? I fought back a flush of embarrassment at the realization that maybe that was exactly what I wanted. For him to care.

  “We’ll try to get some guards distracted while you work. Fireworks or something. The intel on the uncle tells us that these family dinners last a good hour before they start to break up and head into the sitting room. I think your best opportunity would be twenty minutes into dinner.”

  Ace pulled up the uncle’s house plans. One look and I had the plans memorized. Luckily, the bathroom was only three doors down from Alexander’s office. I knew it was a long shot that anything to do with the stolen cars would be there, but Halluis was right, it was the best chance we had and totally necessary to eliminate. I also knew that if I’d refused Viktor’s kisses, my chances of getting an invite to the dinner diminished quite a bit.

  The plans for the next two days were set, and as my brain became fuzzy and my yawns could no longer be stifled, I headed to bed. This would be another four-hour sleep night. I wouldn’t be full force tomorrow. Five hours is what I needed, but I’d make it work.

  ***

  I surprised myself when I beat my alarm waking up. I showed up at the auto shop at the school five minutes early. S-Dub taught me some more bratva insider tricks to steal some of the cars that had supposedly unbeatable alarm systems. I knew from being a part of Division that nothing was unbeatable—I just didn’t know other groups proved that point also. When I walked out, I was greeted by an eager Viktor, who scooped me up into a hug, kissing my cheek as he did. I found myself looking around for Carson and Jericho. It was stupid. Did it really matter what they thought?

  “You looking for someone?” Viktor asked, no worry in his voice.

  “Oh, no, I was just hoping I didn’t forget anything after that awesome night last night.”