by Gini Koch
“Mom says so, too.”
“So, why are you so upset?”
I pulled my head out of his neck and looked at him. “I don’t want to become like them, someone who doesn’t care what they do.”
Martini leaned my head back against his shoulder and rocked me. “You’re not like them, Kitty. You never will be. He was going to shoot me the moment you dropped your gun. And he was going to kill everyone else, too, starting with you. I could feel it. He wanted to kill us. You wanted to protect us. That’s the difference, why you’ll never be like him, or Beverly, or any of the other people we have to fight against.”
I took a deep breath and tried to get it together. “Okay.”
He laughed softly. “Not yet, but you will be.” He kissed my head and sighed. “I wish I could be the one to kill these people instead of you.”
“Why?”
“So I could protect you from moments like this.”
I tightened my arms and legs around him. “As long as you’re still with me during moments like this, it’s okay.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. So, Serene isn’t crazy all on her own?”
“No. Poor thing.”
“Might be working out for her in the long run.” He sounded amused.
“How so?” I pulled my head out again and looked where he was. Serene was sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees, crying and rocking herself. No one was paying any attention to her, and I couldn’t figure out how Martini thought this was good for her.
As I watched, Brian went to her with a blanket. He knelt down, wrapped it around her, and lifted her up. He cradled her in his arms the way Martini did with me and then walked to the Hummer limo they’d arrived in.
I looked up at Martini. “He just being nice, or has the reality of the situation finally hit him?”
He grinned. “Well, hearing that Serene isn’t naturally psychotic was probably a big argument in her favor.”
“Staring xenophobia in the face might have helped, too.”
“Probably.”
“Plus a bird in the hand is worth two Kitty’s who want nothing to do with you in the bush.”
“So to speak.” He looked at me. “So, you really didn’t enjoy it?”
“With Brian? Um, no.”
“I’ve heard from Christopher that I’m just like your old flame.”
“Hardly.”
“Possessive, jealous, overcommitted . . . I could go on.”
“You are. I don’t care.” Well, not all that much, I added for virtue’s sake.
“Why not?”
I thought about it. Great sex was certainly a reason. Fabulous kissing, too. Being the most gorgeous thing on two legs was also a factor. But they weren’t why, just added benefits. “Because you treat me like an equal. You think I’m funny and smart, and you listen to me, even when no one else will. You run toward danger to save me, even if you’re mad at me.” He chuckled. “And I love you.”
He kissed me. “And here all along I thought it was the great sex.”
“Well, not only the great sex.”
“Works for me. I was willing to be happy with great sex as the answer.”
“I’m willing to have more great sex if it’ll make you feel more secure.”
“I love how you think.”
CHAPTER 60
WE LOADED EVERYONE INTO THE Hummer limo. Why the A-Cs even had such a beast was beyond me, but I couldn’t argue. It was huge, but even so, we all just made it inside.
Tim was driving, and Hughes and Walker both rode shotgun. Lorraine had done some major medical on Gower and Martini, and she wanted them quiet. So Reader and I were holding them, and we were all lying down in the back, on a thick foam pad, complete with pillows. I found myself wondering why this was in this vehicle and chose to believe it was because it functioned as a rescue van as opposed to the A-C cruisin’ love machine.
Randy and Claudia were in the middle section nearest to us with Lorraine and Joe. Lorraine was still working on Serene, and Brian was right by her side. Lorraine and Claudia both were far more jazzed about this experience than Joe or Randy. The guys were trying to be cool, but I could tell they were freaked out.
Kevin, Jerry, and Christopher were in the middle portion of the car closest to the front. Kevin was making a lot of phone calls, and so was Christopher. Jerry was functioning as adjunct and passing information back and forth to and from the rest of us as needed.
I had Martini cuddled into my breasts, and Reader had Gower in pretty much the same position. We were prone but not so much that I couldn’t see over the seats. “So, what now, girlfriend?”
“I want to go home.”
“I want to never come to Florida again.” Reader sighed. “But we have to rest before we fly home. I’m not leaving the jet, and Tim and I, as well as the others, are too tired to fly safely.”
Martini fumbled in his pocket and pulled out his cell. “Dad, sorry to wake you. Oh? Really. Sorry they called and worried you. No, we’re okay. No, really. Well, yeah, okay, not perfect, but alive and functioning. All exhausted, yes. You’re sure? No separate sleeping quarters when we show up, no arranged marriages waiting to be performed? Yeah, then every room, including the guesthouse.”
He was quiet for a minute or so. “Yeah, sounds good. But figure lunch, at the earliest. Okay.” Another long pause. “I love you, too.” He hung up. “Going to my parents’.” Martini turned his face back into my breasts and promptly went to sleep.
Reader and I looked at each other. He gave me a wink. “Nicely done.”
I passed our destination on to Claudia, who sent it on up to Tim. I was still tense, and I could feel the rest of the car’s occupants were, too. I wasn’t sure if Martini had any blocks left or if he was completely burned out, and I just wanted something to help us all relax.
Tim seemed to read my mind. I heard the Wallflowers’ “Three Marlenas” start up. No one grumbled or complained, and the tension seemed to be dissipating somewhat.
“So, James, where did you find that Beetle?”
“It was parked at the Lighthouse.” He shrugged. “I didn’t argue.”
I decided not to question. “Did we pay for it?” I looked toward the middle of the car. Claudia was asleep, leaning on Randy. I thought he was snoozing, too. Lorraine finished with Serene, sat back, snuggled next to Joe, and was out like a light. He’d been waiting for her, clearly, because as soon as his arm was around her, he leaned his head against the window. The Wallflowers’ remake of David Bowie’s “Heroes” came on.
“No.” There was something about the way he said that word that made me look back at him.
“Why not?”
“I think it was the caretaker’s.” Reader’s voice was low. “He was dead when I found him.”
“Where?”
“Near the car. He must have seen something and tried to escape.”
I looked to the middle of the car again. Serene seemed better, but she was shivering. Brian gently pulled her next to him and covered her with the blanket. She gave a shuddering sigh, and he hugged her. I looked back at Reader. “Who did it?”
“I’m guessing one of the Club 51 Goon Squad. Wasn’t Jeff or Christopher, and I don’t think Serene would have done it, either.” He made the throat-slitting gesture.
“Ugh.”
“Got that right. Kevin called someone; the body should be taken care of soon.”
We drove on through the night, my Wallflowers mix continuing to do its good work. I checked, and as far as I could see, the guys in the front part of the car were all awake, with the exception of Christopher, who I was pretty sure I saw slumped in his typical napping-in-the-vehicle position.
Reader shifted and lay fully down. Gower made a grunting sound, wrapped his arm around him, and snuggled closer. Reader’s eyes closed, and his breathing went rhythmic.
Martini snoozed while I stroked his hair. Most of any car’s occupants sleeping meant I was awake. For whatever reason, my tiredness would
disappear if the majority were out of it. No idea why, but I guessed it had to do with feeling that someone had to be ready.
Quiet time never meant contemplation or relaxation for me. It meant my mind wandered. We’d cut off the head of the Club 51 snake, but that didn’t mean the rest of the little serpent’s nests would go away. The one picture I’d seen of Leventhal Reid swam in front of me. This was our head fugly, only he was a human and a normally attractive man, not a parasitic superbeing. We were all better equipped to fight threats from outer space than threats from human beings. Humans were so much more devious and tremendously nastier.
I thought about killing Taft. I killed superbeings regularly now, but even the first one I’d killed didn’t make me feel remorse. But I could admit I hadn’t liked killing anything, not the superbeings, not Taft, not even Beverly. It had just had to be done. Them or me. Them or others, really. Maybe that’s what Martini and my mother meant—some evil has to be killed, but you don’t have to enjoy doing it.
My mind wandered to ACE. So powerful and so innocent at the same time. I’d known without asking that if we’d shot at the alligators, ACE would have gone haywire. I wondered if my killing Taft had affected ACE in a negative way.
No, I heard in my mind. ACE is clear why Kitty had to kill. Alligators were not evil, just being alligators.
How are you talking to me?
Still everywhere while also all inside Paul. Paul is a good person, Kitty chose well for ACE.
Thank you for saving us. We wouldn’t be alive if you hadn’t shielded us when we needed it.
ACE would like to do more. . . . Its voice trailed off in my mind. I thought about why it wouldn’t or couldn’t.
You shouldn’t. You could solve all the problems for us. But that would make us dependent on you, to the point where we couldn’t do anything for ourselves. And it would make you so powerful that you would risk becoming something I know you don’t want to be. Though my viewpoint was a lot different when those cars were headed toward us.
But Kitty did not ask ACE for protection, and neither did Paul.
You did that on your own? Thank you even more.
Kitty is welcome. ACE is learning when to step in and when to stay quiet. Just like always, watching and protecting.
Like God.
No. God is much greater than ACE.
There is a God?
Why do you ask, when ACE can see you already know?
Confirmation, I guess. Sometimes it doesn’t seem as though He’s paying much attention.
God is vast. Many galaxies, many worlds, many beings. Free will exists so God does not have to do everything.
I wanted to continue this discussion, but the car stopped. I realized we were on what looked like a residential street, waiting at a big double gate attached to high walls. I could hear Tim talking to someone, but I couldn’t make out any of the words. The gates opened, and we drove in.
At first I thought we were in a private, gated community. After we drove along a winding drive for a minute or so, I saw a house that looked at least double my parents’. For a moment I thought we were going there, but Tim kept on driving. A minute or so later we reached another house, larger than the first. Didn’t stop there either. Another couple of minutes and we arrived at the White House. Well, it wasn’t, but it looked that big to me.
I nudged Martini. “Jeff, are we at your parents’ house?” It was that or the Alpha Centaurion Embassy. I was kind of hoping for Embassy.
“Mmmm?” He nuzzled into my breasts. “Nice here.” He went back to sleep.
It was a circular drive, and Tim brought the car to a stop in front of what I assumed was the front door. My class intimidation meter was set to high. I couldn’t imagine telling my father about this place—the lecture on how money needed to be spread to the less privileged would last for weeks.
I shook Martini. “Jeff, I think we’re at your house.”
He blinked and yawned. “Good. Let’s go back to sleep.” He wrapped both arms around me, snuggled right back into his personal pillows, and started snoring.
I looked over the seat. Lorraine was waking up. “Lorraine, what did you give Jeff? I can’t get him to really wake up.”
“Good. He needs the sleep.”
“But I can’t exactly carry him out of the car.”
She looked over. “I’ll have someone bring out a gurney.”
“Uh, I don’t think he needs a gurney.” I hoped.
“He needs sleep more than anything else right now.”
“I guess we can stay in the car.”
Doors were opening, and the team was climbing out. I realized all our things were at the hotel still. Oh, well, nothing we could do about it now. Reader woke up and shook Gower awake. Gower seemed fuzzy, but at least he was able to sit up.
The back hatch opened, and several male A-Cs I’d never seen before were there. They helped Gower out, though Reader waved them away. “You need help with Jeff, girlfriend?”
“Lorraine gave him something—I can’t get him to wake up for more than a second.”
Reader looked out. “Need a gurney.”
“He doesn’t need a gurney!”
“Yeah, he does.” Reader grimaced. “He should go into isolation, too.”
“You’re telling me they have the entire acreage of Rhode Island in this compound and no isolation chamber?”
“No, I’m telling you he should go into the isolation chamber they have for him here.” He said it a bit louder.
“I don’t want to,” Martini said, sounding annoyed. “I just want to sleep, if any of you would let me.”
“Jeff, we’re at your parents’ humongous estate. Do you want to walk in on your own steam or take the gurney ride?”
He growled and grumbled, but he moved into a sitting position. “I’ll walk.” The A-C assistants tried to help him, but he waved them away. They continued to try. “I’m getting seriously pissed. Back off, I can walk.”
He climbed out, slowly but on his own steam. Reached in, put his hands on my waist and lifted me out, easily as far as I could tell. I wrapped my arm around his waist, and he put his around my shoulders. Martini heaved a sigh. “I really hope this visit goes better than the one we had a few hours ago.”
CHAPTER 61
THE HOUSE WAS EVEN MORE massive seen from the outside than I’d felt it was when we’d been inside before. Earlier it had seemed huge. Now I felt as though I were about to enter Tara and wondered if Rhett and Scarlet were going to greet us. They had steps leading up to the front door as well as a winding ramp. I assumed they’d seen the wisdom of rolling gurneys as opposed to carrying them.
I steered Martini to the ramp, assuming it was easier to walk than stairs. He didn’t argue. The A-Cs I didn’t know were following us, rather closely. I got the impression they were ready to catch Martini if he collapsed. This was both comforting and unsettling at the same time.
“Our stuff’s still at the hotel.” I said this to avoid asking if Martini’s parents were actually drug dealers. They were living palatially enough.
“Someone’ll get it.”
“Sir, we already retrieved all the team’s belongings,” one of the assistant A-Cs said. His tone was extremely respectful. “They’re in the room assignments Commander Katt gave to Mr. Martini.”
I had? Oh, well, what seemed like weeks but was only hours ago I had. But we had an additional member along. “We need to have a guard around Serene.”
“Yes, ma’am, Commander.” One of the other A-Cs zoomed off.
I looked up at Martini. “What’s going on?”
“Routine.” He grinned. “I’ll explain it when we’re alone.”
“If you can stay awake long enough, you mean.”
“Give me a reason.”
I wanted to, but I had a feeling Lorraine would kill me if I actually did.
We reached the front door finally. I recognized the humongous entryway from our last visit. It looked bigger coming in through the front do
or than it had coming up from the basement. Either my perspective was different or it had been designed to instantly create feelings of inferiority for those entering the “normal” way. I looked down the hallway I knew we’d come from last visit—it just looked big and long. I gave up trying to figure out if M.C. Escher had done the architectural design and focused on getting Martini resting as soon as possible.
The A-C assistants ushered us all into the family room and faded back against the walls, just like the Secret Service. There were four doorways in this room—one we’d just come through, the one I knew led to the kitchen, and two others. Alfred came in from one of the others. He looked worried and upset but also relieved, as any father does when his errant children are finally home safely.
Christopher was closer to him than we were, and Alfred grabbed him and hugged him tightly. I could see Christopher’s expression—he was shocked but in a good way.
That embrace finished, Alfred headed toward us. I disengaged from Martini just in time. Alfred grabbed him just as he had Christopher. Martini looked shocked, too, while he hugged his father back tightly.
They disengaged and Alfred turned to me. “And you.”
“Huh?” I wasn’t sure what that meant.
He grabbed me and hugged me. It was reminiscent of the bear hugs my mother had given me during Operation Fugly. I wondered if he’d let me breathe soon. “Thank you,” Alfred whispered to me. “Thank you for saving my boys.”
I hugged him back while I tried to get air. “Dad, she can’t breathe.”
“Oh? Oh!” Alfred released me and I gulped air. “Sorry about that.”
“No problem. You Martini men aren’t aware of your own strength sometimes.”
Martini got a funny look on his face. “Yeah. Let’s get everyone settled. We need sleep in the worst way.” His voice sounded funny, too, as though he was upset, but quietly. I didn’t think Alfred picked it up.
Alfred nodded. “As soon as I greet the rest of the family.” He went over to Gower and Reader. They got the bear hug treatment, too. He moved to Michael next and then the girls.
I went back beside Martini. “Jeff, what’s wrong?”
