“Professor Spalding?” Fox echoed the name. Images flashed inside his head, how many times had he seen this man meeting with his father? Many, but only one incident stuck out—when Rue had been offered to this professor as an experiment. How could Rue associate with this psychotic professor? What the hell was she up to?
Fox took very slow and careful steps to reach the man, and without hesitation, smacked him square in the face. The professor’s head slung back, and his eyes narrowed, but he didn’t retaliate. Instead, he wiped away the line of blood dribbling out the side of his mouth.
“I suppose I deserved that.”
“You deserve a whole lot more—”
Honey stepped between them. “No, Fox. Don’t hurt him.” Her eyes were wide, as if the thought of this man being hurt affected her.
Then again, she’d wanted them to deliver her to this professor from the beginning. Now, instead of having to scour the city for him, the crazy professor had found her. Yet, Honey didn’t know about all the awful things Professor Spalding had done to innocent people.
The professor turned his gaze to Iris.
“You can’t have her,” Fox spat. “Iris isn’t for sale.”
For a long and silent moment, the old man glared into his eyes, before he nodded knowingly. “You found her before your father did. How did you manage that?”
Fox’s heart raced, hoping no one else had heard his words, especially not Iris. “Shut up!”
“Do you know who she is?” he whispered.
“I know enough.”
Professor Spalding shook his head. “Trust me. You don’t know the half of it, but I can help you.”
“You can help by delivering her to the one man willing to kill anyone who gets in his way? I don’t think so.”
“I haven’t been in the service of your father for a long while,” he answered. “I can help all of you if you’ll just come with me and let me explain everything. Fox, you don’t know as much as you think you do.”
The bastard remembered him. Not for the first time, Fox wondered if this professor had ever conducted experiments on him. He couldn’t remember any, but after finding out about Iris’s memory loss, he certainly knew it was possible to have blocked out the experience.
As much as he wanted to beat this old man up for his part in so many horrible experiments, he wanted to help Iris more. So, he sighed and tried to calm down before he managed to speak. “Iris doesn’t know who she is, can you help her?”
“Maybe,” Spalding said with a shrug.
Fox lowered his weapon. “Okay, then. We’ll go with you. The first sign of foul play, and I’ll kill you myself. No hesitation and definitely no mercy. You might have left his service, but I still remember all the things you did. You were with him for many years, and his evil intentions were also your despicable deeds.”
“I deserve your mistrust. No amount of good will ever make up for the things I’ve done in my lifetimes, but now, I try to help those in need.” He averted his gaze. Was that shame he’d read in the man’s eyes?
Lifetimes…the word roused a shiver down his spine. Fox was positive it hadn’t been a slip of the tongue.
“We’re leaving. If any of you follow, you know what’ll happen.” Fox pointed his gun at the Weasels, and each stayed rooted to their spot, doing nothing but watching them leave. They’d miss the extra credit Professor Spalding was willing to pay for Iris, but these Weasels wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the opportunity to have the old man return for another purchase. Greed usually won out over everything else in the slums.
“Iris, let’s go.”
She raced over to Honey, threw a protective arm around the smaller woman’s shoulders and squeezed her.
Basil’s sudden wails echoed around the room and continued as they all wandered out into the dark corridor, with Professor Spalding leading the way.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Top Floor, Wentworth Corporation Tower
Kingsley Wentworth III’s Personal Floor
“There’s no need to worry. Everything’s set and ready for tomorrow night,” Kingsley said, confidence exuding with his every word. “Nothing will get in the way, I assure you.”
“I hope you’re right,” returned Travers Hampshire. The man on his computer screen hid his eyes behind dark specs. A thin moustache framed his lips, which continued into a goatee. “If what you’ve promised me won’t be broadcast tomorrow night, we’ll have no choice but to sever our ties with you and take our interest elsewhere.”
“I assure you, it won’t come to that.”
“Then, we’ll expect a conference call tomorrow.” In spite of the vast distance between them, Travers’s gaze seemed to see right through him, as if they were in the same room. “Though, I have to admit that I won’t believe your unbelievable claims until I see them. I look forward to seeing the remarkable things you speak of.”
Kingsley chuckled and sat back. “Oh, don’t worry, there’ll be a call. Although, I can understand your skepticism. A finding this rare is baffling.”
Travers stared at him for several seconds before he clicked off his connection.
“A call, and so much more,” Kingsley added to the empty office. Yes. His biggest discoveries would collide in less than 24 hours. The fact that he hadn’t heard a single update from Innes in hours didn’t deter his optimism. As long as Travers believed even a minute detail of the evidence he’d already emailed, it was all Kingsley needed.
He’d kept the beautiful Iris as his personal secret for decades. Now, it was time to showcase her ability to the world. With her under his control, he’d soon tap into previously unexplored locations around the globe.
Most in this degenerate city had forgotten Nexus was a city inside a planet. A large area filled with so many possibilities.
After the great collapse of civilization, those fortunate enough to live in an urban environment were spared what their rural neighbors were damned with. Oblivion swept through every continent, almost faster than the rising sea levels. Nature had withdrawn what humans took for granted.
Nexus had been named only for several centuries. In fact, he’d chosen the name, himself. Kingsley Wentworth III had lived inside this tower for so long, most didn’t know the truth about anything. The only people who suspected him of foul play were the idiots over at York Industries. Daye York had somehow accrued enough wealth to pose a minor threat during the last decade. She’d never overpower him. Especially not now. Not with his special weapon.
Iris would propel him into god status.
His control over the population was stronger than ever. Without anyone daring to venture out into the streets in fear of being contaminated, he would contain the population for years to come.
Once the deal was sealed with Hampshire Inc., they would gain passage in and out of the city for those who could afford it. He couldn’t wait to get the ball rolling. Couldn’t wait to head over there himself with Iris by his side, ready to slaughter all in power, so he could step in and add another conglomerate to his empire.
Kingsley switched the image on the screen, until his favorite footage of Iris blazed from the monitor. She’s breathtaking, and all mine.
His hand shook a little, and it infuriated him to think time was in fact running out for this particular shell. If cloning wasn’t conducted soon, he could jeopardize the long term effect. Not that he had complete confidence in the new scientist who’d taken over Spalding. The old man had usually performed the delicate procedure and could be trusted with the results.
This would be the first time Kingsley would be entrusting his regeneration to someone else.
Kingsley hoped that bloody hunter would soon get his hands on Spalding. To have Iris and the professor delivered at the same time would ensure the perfect end to a perfect beginning. After tomorrow, he wouldn’t be known just in Nexus. No, he’d be broadcast in another area of the world where a similar corporation ran their own city and still held access to satellites. It was too excitin
g and coincidental not to sound like poetic justice.
The buzz of the intercom disrupted his thoughts. “Ah, Sir. It’s Innes. Lex is here.”
“He’s got Iris?” The hope in his voice sounded too obvious to deny. His heart sped up as he glared at the languid movements of her lithe frame on the screen. He missed her.
Innes sighed. “No, but he did get his hands on someone else.”
Kingsley pressed the button to unlock his office door.
Innes waltzed in with an air of expensive aftershave and confidence. He looked the part of a butler more than a personal assistant. So far, he’d proven trustworthy and a hard worker. If he kept this up for decades, Kingsley might consider him a candidate for cloning.
The bald hunter ventured in behind him, his leather and chains creaking and clacking with his every step. He pushed someone in front of him—a black, cloth bag thrown over the head to conceal who it was.
Excitement teased him. Was it Spalding? He already knew it wasn’t his Iris.
“Well, end the suspense already!” Kingsley sat back in his grand chair, ready to see his former friend. With the professor nearby, he might indulge in the cloning procedure before the events of the next night.
“I know you wanted me to focus on the girl, but I’ve got a lead. Some violent business went on at the Weasel auction.” Lex pulled the sack off the person’s head. “Besides, I couldn’t let those cats get away with cheating me out of my prey.”
Although a little disappointment stirred in Kingsley’s stomach—it was neither one of the people he most wanted—this was a face from the past he could definitely use for leverage. Her eyes were puffy and red. He had no sympathy for the slaughter Lex must have left behind in her colony of freaks.
“Well, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Chapter Thirty
Iris found something familiar about the man with white hair and dark eyes. She couldn’t remember why, but to think he might have been someone she’d known before made her pulse quicken. Maybe, he could help her remember who she was or understand what had come before all of this, and answer if she was running from someone for a particular reason. Of course, the fact that so many men had already tried to grab her confirmed she was running and probably from the particular someone who claimed to own her.
After her visit to the Weasels’ auction, she’d realized that being owned by someone would be enough of a reason to run.
She released a shaky breath and tightened her hand around Honey’s. The woman squeezed her back and flashed a small smile. She looked genuinely happy to have found this Professor Spalding.
Iris hoped none of them would live to regret it.
“Welcome to my home,” the man said, spreading his arms out as they crossed the threshold, past a steel door. “It’s my own measly piece of real estate in the lovely slums.”
“Must be harsh after so many years of living in comfort,” Fox said sarcastically, squeezing through in front of her.
Fox seemed to be on alert, but she wasn’t sure why.
Professor Spalding chuckled. “You’d be surprised just how uncomfortable Kingsley Wentworth can make life.”
“I know all too well.” Fox avoided her eyes and instead stepped further into the open room.
A tall, topless, and bulky man shut the metal door behind them. He tightened the large wheel in the middle of the door, then stood in front of it with both arms crossed over his muscular chest. A sword hung from the belt secured around his hip.
They were locked in, and she wondered if this would turn out to be a good thing or a really bad thing. Why did Fox dislike this man so much, and who was Kingsley Wentworth? Though both names sounded familiar to her, she couldn’t remember why. She also wondered what the professor’s history was with Fox…but now wasn’t the time to start firing questions.
“Iris, come back to me. You know no one else loves you as much as I do,” the familiar stranger whispered in her ear.
She looked to the left and right. No one else seemed to have heard it. His haunting words hadn’t bothered her for a while, so she thought it had stopped. Hearing him speak to her so clearly reminded Iris of the insanity she still believed cursed her, making the violence a side effect.
Shame coursed through her blood, poisoning it. At least she hadn’t killed the man at the auction. Even after his cowardly attack, she was just glad to have had enough ability to control how far she’d gone.
“Are you okay, Iris?” Fox stood in front of her, pressing a hand on her forearm.
She met his blue eyes and nodded. “I’m fine, just a little tired.”
He nodded, knowingly.
“Maybe you should all rest. We can discuss everything after you both relax for a while. I can see the exertion on your faces. Looks like you’ve all been through so much already.” The professor’s eyes were on her. He seemed genuine enough.
“I don’t think so. We need to hear what you’ve got to say and move along.”
“Fox, there’s no need to rush things. Surely a few hours of sleep will help make sense of everything,” the professor suggested with an exasperated sigh. “I won’t hurt you. You have my word.”
He snorted in response. “Right. Where I come from, your word isn’t worth much. Besides, someone’s following us. He could attack at any moment.”
A small smile curved his lips, and wrinkles collected on the sides of the professor’s eyes. “I’m not surprised you’re been followed, but as long as you’re inside my home, no one will get to you. We’ve got security unmatched by anyone this side of Nexus.”
“Yeah, you’ll have to fill me in on all the details. No one has ever escaped the clutches of Kingsley Wentworth, let alone lived long enough to tell the story in such luxury.” Fox snatched her hand in his.
“I would hardly call this luxury, but you’ll hear all about it later. Now, let me show you to your rooms. We’ll talk soon, and I promise not to leave anything out.”
Fox sighed and nodded. “Fine. We’ll accept your offer, but Iris and I need to stay in the same room. I refuse to let her out of my sight. Not after what’s already happened.”
Her heart pounded harder against her chest. The thought of being alone inside a room with Fox excited her in so many ways. Not just because he seemed so determined to protect her, but because she no longer wanted to hold back the desire and need welling up inside her.
She suspected Fox felt the same way.
Professor Spalding peered at him suspiciously, and his dark eyes sparkled. Still, he nodded. “If that makes you feel safer, you can share a room. Follow me.”
After leaving the large, open area filled with people of all shapes and sizes, they exited through one of the many corridors she’d noticed veering off into different directions. Iris memorized as much as she could about the place, just in case they needed to make another quick exit. After all the crap and threats that had chased them so far, she didn’t expect anything positive to happen here.
Weaving left and right through the maze of corridors, the professor finally stopped at the end. A green, wooden door stood in front of them. “This is one of the biggest rooms we have. It’s also equipped with a bathroom, if you’d like to use it.” His long, wrinkled fingers wrapped around the door handle and pushed it open. He switched the lights on, and their ugly, fluorescent sharpness yellowed the inside. “Go ahead. It’s not a trap.”
Iris stepped inside, but Fox hesitated in the doorway. She didn’t. She was eager to prove it was safe enough to stay here. They didn’t need to stay for long. Just long enough to…Rest was the last thing on her mind.
She glanced at the big bed to her left, with two bedside tables on either side. Four fluffy pillows sat against the blue, suede headboard, covered in cream-colored pillowcases that matched the sheets. It looked so appealing and soft, a wave of exhaustion swept over her as she stared at it longingly.
A yawn escaped her.
To the right, another doorway—more narrow than the last—stood op
en. She couldn’t see inside but caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror. She hadn’t seen herself for a long while. How long had she been trapped inside the damp, lonely basement? It felt as if so much time had passed since they’d left, but it hadn’t. Not really.
“Fox, this isn’t a trap,” Spalding repeated.
“It’s a little hard to trust someone who conducted experiments for his own satisfaction.”
Iris ignored their conversation. It seemed like the only thing they did was have the same argument over and over again. This professor had a bad past, and Fox knew all about it, but she had enough to worry about without adding someone else’s violent deeds to the mix. She turned her focus to the small window just ahead of her. So far, inside this building, she’d started to think windows didn’t exist.
Raindrops blistered against the glass. Some steady, others cascading in streaks that reminded her of tears. The same, sad tears she seemed to release every time the violence reared its ugly head and someone got hurt.
I wish I could stop it completely.
Her feet moved automatically—faster than her mind—until Iris stood in front of the window, her fingertips already pressed to the cool glass. She could feel the outside world push against her skin. The rain sped up, and the angle cut sideways as if it were trying to touch her with its moist intensity. She wished it would and pressed her palms tighter against it, trying to swivel it open.
“I’m afraid I’ve had every window permanently sealed. None will open for you. Sorry.”
She jumped, glancing over her shoulder to find the old man standing right behind her.
His long hands were poised above her shoulders. His eyes were shiny and wide as he peered out the window and then down at her. “The rain calls you, doesn’t it?”
She shrugged.
“You don’t need to deny it, Iris. I know a lot more about you than anyone else in Nexus City.” His words were whispered as he towered over her and somehow kept her concealed from the rest of the room.
Iris Page 18
