Misfits, Inc.

by Holly Copella

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Nearly an hour had passed and the scene within Hailey’s suite was escalating. Overinflated egos were trumping common sense. Hailey had enough of her boys acting like less mature boys and finally joined Skyler on the balcony. She leaned on the half wall alongside him and enjoyed the solitude with him. His preference to remaining on the balcony by himself seemed to be something more than just recovering from being ambushed earlier that evening. Rafe and Vance’s raised voices were heard snapping at each other through the open door. It was going to be a long night. Hailey studied Skyler a moment in silence.

  “Are you okay?” she gently asked. “You haven’t said much since we got back.”

  He finally straightened and glared at her with a look of annoyance he’d never displayed before.

  “Let’s see,” he announced with a slight hiss in his voice. “Talbert fired me earlier this evening, oh, and I was nearly diced into quarters!” He collected himself and groaned lowly. “No, I’m not okay. I’m not okay with any of this. I’m just not cut out for this sort of thing.”

  She knew Skyler wasn’t much of a fighter, and the events throughout the evening had finally taken their toll on him. It wasn’t easy to accept. Even Hailey didn’t care for the responsibility suddenly thrust upon her.

  “None of us are cut out for this, Skyler,” she gently informed him.

  Rafe’s raised voice was heard from inside. “Oh, come on, Vance,” he lashed out. “It’s not rocket science. It’s not as if those beasts have any real tactical abilities. Am I the only one with any balls around here?”

  Hailey held her breath and reconsidered her comment. “Okay, maybe one of us is.”

  She pulled the balcony door shut, eliminating most of the raised voices from inside. Skyler finally turned to face her with a strange, lost look on his face.

  “You don’t get it,” he gently informed her. “I’m not like the others. I don’t have special powers. I just don’t have what it takes to be Numinous. I can’t protect you.”

  There was an awkward silence as she stared at him. It wasn’t about the attack or the danger he faced. He didn’t fear for his life; he feared he didn’t deserve his position. She gently placed her hand on his lower arm.

  “It’s not your job to protect me.”

  He again leaned over the half wall, stared off toward the ocean, and seemingly pouted. “I should have known Marcus was setting us up, but I didn’t. Rafe somehow figured it out, but I couldn’t sense the danger.”

  “You took out two of those creatures tonight,” she proudly reminded him.

  “One,” he muttered insecurely. “The falling ceiling took out the other. That hardly counts.”

  She gently patted his arm and stared at him even though he didn’t look at her.

  “You have an amazing gift, Skyler,” she informed him. “You can see the future and communicate with me through your mind. That is a very special power.”

  He snorted a soft laugh and looked at her. “Vance can command animals. Logan communicates with plant life,” he boldly announced then gestured wildly as his words came out faster and louder. “Freakin’ Rafe is a one-man commando unit. And you,” he gave her a quick once over, “well, let’s just hope no one ever pisses you off.” He looked away from her and muttered, “Even the cat has more power than I do.”

  “Don’t feel you have to compare yourself to the others--or the cat.”

  Skyler stared out to the ocean in the distance and leaned heavily on the half wall. There was a strange silence. He seemed beaten down by the world he’d been secretly wishing for his entire life.

  “I just thought I finally fit in somewhere,” he said gently. “I was supposed to be someone. When you came to me in my dream, you told me it was my destiny.” His head hung down with despair. “I thought for the first time in my life that I was someone important. It was a lie. I’m still just me.”

  “You are important,” she announced firmly. “You’re my best friend and have been for a long time.”

  He was silent a moment then glanced at her and uncertainly straightened. “I’m sorry,” he said gently and gave a slight wave. “It’s been a traumatic day, you know--beasts and all.”

  Hailey smiled, placed her arms around him, and hugged him. Skyler appeared surprised then returned the embrace. She kissed him quickly on the cheek, pulled away just far enough to meet his gaze, and smiled.

  “I need you.”

  Skyler hid his pleased grin as his cheeks reddened. “Well, as long as you need me--”

  She clung to his arm as they turned toward the balcony doors. Through the closed glass doors, the others stared at them from inside, having seen the kiss and embrace. Their expressions were priceless. Skyler hid his tiny smile and cast a quick glance at her.

  “Do you suppose we can give them a minute longer to get the wrong idea?”

  Hailey smiled and laughed while hugging his arm.

  †

  Faint laughter was heard within the laundry room just a little after three in the morning. A folding table and chairs were crudely set up in the center of the vast laundry room with its industrial sized washers and dryers. Six men played poker while another man and a woman stood nearby with drinks in their hands and watched the remaining players increase their bets, tossing cheap plastic chips onto the center of the table. There was no doubt the plastic chips represented actual cash. The remaining players were serious about their play, wanting to secure the sizable pot in the middle of the table. Cigar smoke had already filled the air, despite several machines designed to eliminate the smoke. The game was unauthorized and illegal. Daniel watched the man across from him lay his cards down to reveal three queens. There was a faint round of groans. Daniel silenced them with a grin and affectionately spread out his full house, tens over jacks. Those who had groaned now laughed at the losing man’s expense. Daniel grinned and collected his sizable pot of plastic poker chips, pulling them toward him in a sweeping motion. He gloated a little more than socially acceptable.

  There was a faint growling sound from across the room. Everyone heard the unusual sound and looked in unison toward the main door. The door was suddenly thrown open, and two massive creatures bolted into the room. Everyone screamed in response to the hideous, charging beasts. One attacked the standing man while the other leaped onto the poker table, knocking it and several people to the floor. It landed on top of another man and sank its teeth into his throat while slinging its large head, snapping the man’s neck. Those who hadn’t been knocked from their folding chairs sprang to their feet, the metal chairs crashing to the floor as they simultaneously stood. The first creature ripped out the man’s throat and immediately turned for the others as they screamed in terror while bolting for the main door. Two more creatures lunged into the room and tackled the first few men. The creature already within the room leaped onto the fleeing woman’s back and rode her to the floor. She was unable to scream from the hard impact with the floor. The beast grabbed the back of her neck in its mouth and violently slung her around like a ragdoll. She barely released a whimper before her neck snapped. As one of the employees ran into the open doorway, a fifth creature appeared from the corridor and mauled him, tearing into his flesh. The creature tearing apart the man in the doorway blocked the only exit.

  Daniel and the two remaining guests were trapped within the room. As they turned, the four beasts had finished disabling their prey and charged the three men. There were more screams as the creatures leaped onto two of the men, tackling them to the floor. Two beasts tore into one man, while the third beast easily ripped out the throat of another guest. Daniel attempted to run for the industrial sized dryer and possible safety. The charging beast slashed his calf, leaving four large gashes. Daniel fell to the floor from the forceful strike and the enormous pain. Despite his torn leg, he attempted to pull himself for the dryer. The beast grabbed his arm and slung him around like an old chew toy. Daniel landed on his back in agony from both his arm and leg inj
ury. He looked up as the beast hovered over him with blood dripping from its mouth. He attempted to scream but nothing came out.

  The guests who were left wounded writhed in agony from their severe injuries. The beasts ignored those who were already dead and began devouring those still moving. The beasts savagely tore flesh from their live prey. Most were unable to scream as they bled out from their torn throats. Daniel watched helplessly as the beast hovering over him anchored his torn body down with its large front paw and ripped into his soft belly with sharp teeth dripping blood. There was little he could do but watch the beast ripping out his insides until the pain finally overtook him, allowing him to slip out of consciousness. The creatures feasted on the eight guests and staff at their leisure, leaving the laundry room floor strewn with blood and mutilated bodies.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  It was a little after three in the morning, and the debate was still going strong within the living room of Hailey’s suite. Mel had fallen asleep on the sofa despite Hailey and the guys sitting on the floor around the coffee table not far from her. They kept their voices down as the conversation turned more civilized. Skyler suddenly drifted out and seemed to be in another world. As Hailey stared at him, the guys fell silent with their own curious looks. Hailey gave him a gentle nudge, immediately bringing him out of his trance.

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  Skyler slowly shook his head without appearing convinced. “I’m not sure. I just had a really strange feeling,” he replied gently. “I think I’m still a little rattled from that creature carving me up like a Thanksgiving turkey on the beach. I had this horrible image of their claws and fangs.” He shuttered from the thought then forced a smile and shrugged. “I’m sure it was nothing. The feeling has already passed.”

  Hailey gently patted his arm and added a sympathetic smile. The guys relaxed by his reassurance and continued with conspiracy theories, ancient history, and every subject in between. They’d gone over the events of the evening numerous times and seemed to be no closer to an answer just exhaustion. After another hour, Hailey wanted to block out their voices. Even Rafe’s smooth, manly voice was starting to grate on what little nerves she had left. Someone had to end her torture soon.

  “This isn’t getting us anywhere,” Vance finally announced while stretching his legs beneath the table. He rubbed his eyes and blinked several times in an attempt to keep them open. “I’m too tired to think straight anymore.”

  “It’s late, and we’ve been hashing through this all night,” Hailey finally announced, grateful for the save, and feeling exhausted herself. “Rafe’s room is next door. Why don’t we split up between the two rooms and get some sleep?”

  “I’ll go with Mel to Rafe’s suite,” Vance announced with enthusiasm, appearing to catch his second wind along with his rising hormones.

  “Nice try, lover boy,” Logan scoffed.

  “Mel and I will take my bedroom,” Hailey announced to the men. “We have the Protector. Skyler should go to Rafe’s suite, because we can communicate telepathically. That means one of you should stay here with us and the other two can go with Skyler next door.”

  Vance grinned in response, raised his finger, and was about to make his own suggestion. Hailey suddenly shifted and cleared her throat.

  “Let me rephrase that,” she announced, having reconsidered her comment. “Rafe or Logan should stay here.”

  “Was I just insulted?” Vance suddenly asked with a boyish innocence.

  Rafe tossed Vance his room key. Logan folded his arms across his broad chest, glared at Rafe, and appeared offended.

  “Was that your subtle way of tossing me out?” Logan demanded in a cocky tone.

  He shrugged without care. “The Guardian protects the princess,” Rafe announced bluntly. “It’s in my job description.” He casually held up the manuscript. “It says so right here. See for yourself.”

  Logan’s eyes narrowed conveying his disapproval. “Thanks, I’ve read it,” he snorted.

  The three men wearily stood and left Hailey’s suite, shutting the door behind them. It made enough noise to startle Mel on the sofa. She abruptly woke, shot up on the sofa, and looked around in a state near panic.

  “What’s wrong?” she cried out.

  “Nothing,” Hailey replied gently. “You and I are sharing the bed. I’ll be along shortly.”

  Mel stood with exhaustion, offered no protest, and shuffled into the bedroom. Hailey crossed the room and locked the balcony door even though Rafe would be the only one bold enough to enter her suite from the balcony. Rafe kicked off his shoes and collapsed onto the sofa, making himself comfortable with his ankles crossed and one arm beneath his head. His other arm draped across his eyes. Hailey glanced at him on the sofa and admired his relaxed yet somehow sexy pose. She considered ignoring her thoughts and pushing herself into the bedroom, but against her better judgement, she approached the sofa and sat on the coffee table before him.

  “I’m grateful for what you did tonight,” she announced softly, hoping he hadn’t already fallen asleep.

  He peeked at her from under his forearm. “I know what you’re thinking, but it doesn’t change anything,” he informed her. “I’ll see this through, but then you’re on your own.”

  “I know there’s part of you that cares what happens to this ‘pitiful’ group,” she announced then hesitated before adding, “and maybe even me.”

  Rafe slowly sat up but didn’t bother looking at her. He casually leaned against the back on the sofa. “Yeah, well, that’s where you’re wrong.”

  She wasn’t wrong about him! She wasn’t wrong when she chose him all those years ago, and she wasn’t wrong today. He wasn’t the bad man he pretended to be or he never would have given his life to save his friend.

  “Stop it,” she scolded. “Stop pretending. You’re not that uncaring.”

  He finally looked at her and appeared annoyed by her tone, or maybe he was just tired. “Because you think you saved my life once, do you honestly believe that makes you an authority on my character?”

  “Yes.”

  There was an awkward silence between them. Rafe shifted on the sofa, seeming uncomfortable with their conversation, and then studied her a moment.

  “Let’s say, for the sake of argument, I’m your chosen Guardian,” he announced then stared at her and slowly shook his head. “What the hell were you thinking?”

  She found his lighthearted comment almost amusing but held back her laugh. “Beats the hell out of me,” she remarked. “I was only fifteen at the time. Best guess? You probably looked good in your uniform.”

  Rafe stared at her, surprised by the comment. Hailey flashed a teasing smile. Rafe shook his head and chuckled. He groaned softly while maintaining his humor to the situation.

  “Great, we’re the ‘boy band’ of mystic warriors.”

  Hailey moved onto the sofa alongside him. He eyed her closeness and seemed uncomfortable by it. She inhaled deeply and considered his question with more seriousness.

  “There would have been many candidates over several years,” she informed him. “Whatever my reason, you were carefully chosen. Somewhere along the way, you must have made a very good impression.”

  Rafe placed his hand on her bare leg with some apprehension, gently caressed it, and grinned almost lustfully. “I prefer the tweener crush scenario.”

  Hailey casually removed his hand from her leg, offered a tiny smile, and stood. Rafe appeared disappointed and leaned back on the sofa.

  “It’s been a long, weird day,” she informed him. “We should get some sleep.”

  Rafe frowned, flopped down on the sofa, and grinned at her. “Just when we were having fun--”

  Hailey approached the door and turned down the living room lights. She removed a blanket from one of the chairs and covered Rafe. Without warning, she joined him on the sofa beneath the blanket. Rafe appeared surprised as she nestled against him. He groaned and immediately pulled her into his arms.r />
  “If this is a test, I’m going to fail,” he warned.

  “You need to trust your instincts,” she informed him. “Whether you believe it or not, that’s your most powerful gift.”

  “Your theory is flawed,” Rafe teased while nuzzling her face with his. “My instincts are telling me to ravish you.”

  “Is that what they told you the other night in Lucinda’s suite?” she cooed softly while attempting to look into his eyes through the dim lighting.

  He let out a soft laugh and appeared almost embarrassed. “That was a lapse in judgment,” Rafe remarked gently. “I’ve never behaved that way, and I felt terrible for taking advantage of you like that. I’m not sure what came over me that night.”

  Rafe stared at her through the darkness, shifted uncomfortably, and seemed compelled to speak.

  “When I’m around you, I’m reminded of some of the most intense erotic dreams I’ve had.” He suddenly hesitated. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m not sure why I did.” His look turned more demanding. “Why do I feel the need to talk when I’m around you? It’s like I can’t control my mouth.”

  Hailey smiled and shrugged. She was actually enjoying his ramblings, particularly the intimate ones.

  “Like in the restaurant,” he announced. “I don’t know why I said those things to you. I’ve been at dozens of business meetings where sexual favors go hand in hand for Brody’s signature on some contract.” He was again silent and seemed to consider his own remark. “It bothered me.”

  “What bothered you?”

  “The thought of you sleeping with Brody.” Rafe groaned with disgust. “It’s that whole Guardian protector thing, isn’t it? You’re going to tell me I felt the need to protect you from Brody.”

  “Actually,” Hailey remarked, “I think you wanted me for yourself.”

  He stared at her a moment in silence then grinned. “I may have had a few dirty thoughts.” There was an awkward silence as they stared at each other through the darkness. “From the moment I met you, I felt as though we’d, you know, been together. That strange feeling of sexual tension I get when I run into an ex-girlfriend. I would swear that we’d been intimate.” His look turned awkwardly serious. “Please tell me we didn’t have sex in the light when you were just fifteen.”