by JoAnna Grace
She fiddled with the neckline of her scrubs, her other hand still caught in his grip. “Her credentials are full of holes. I’ve never heard of the college she went to. I tried bringing it to the board’s attention, but no one cares because she’s so talented.” She rolled her eyes at the thought. “Most of the time, the nurses have to ask lots of questions of the patients. You know how it is, Paul. The general public doesn’t speak our medical language.” She winked and he nodded. “But this girl, she just knows. She goes through all the motions, fills out all the forms, but she’s never been wrong. No one is that good. It’s suspicious.”
Bingo. At least she was using her gifts to help people.
“You’re right, my darling. Very suspicious.” He pushed a minute shot of his aura over her. “You need to tell me her name.”
“Piper Martinez,” she said with a drunk smile on her face.
“And when does Miss Martinez work?”
“Day shift.”
“Perfect. Now, darling, you’re going to look up her personal phone number for me.”
His sweet pawn hesitated. “I’m not supposed to do that.”
“You will for me though, won’t you, darling? Because you trust me and I would never betray that trust.”
I’ll burn in Hades for that lie.
“Of course.” She smiled and he noticed her lipstick was running into the cracks of her lips. As she typed with one hand and pulled up Piper’s information, he implanted a suggestion in her brain. You need to quit smoking, my darling. She wrote out the number and handed it to him.
“Thank you. Now close her file and exit the system completely.”
She complied.
Evander released her hand and slid the phone number into his overcoat. “Once again, you’ve been most helpful. I think I’ll call that new surgeon sometime. Thanks for the referral.”
The administrator blinked rapidly. “Yes, of course, Paul. I’m, uh, glad I could help.” She tilted her head again. “Did I just give you his phone number?”
“You did, and thank you so much. Have a good night.” He winked at her and she smiled back.
“Oh, Paul? Did I mention I’m going to quit smoking?”
He flashed his most brilliant smile. “I’m glad. I’d hate to see anything happen to you.”
Once he was out of the hospital, he met up with Nicholas.
Evander slid into the passenger side of the SUV. The guy was big, he was a head taller than any human Evander had ever met. He was pale as paper and his eyes were dark as ink. Nicholas didn’t roam in the human world too often. He was too different, too other for the humans to see.
Nicholas kept his baseball cap pulled down low. “Get what you need?”
“Yes.” He held out the note with the phone number. “You have a cordial voice, call her and tell her she has been recommended for a special position at the Ralpha Clinic. Set up the meeting for tomorrow night. Let her pick the place and time.”
“And if she’d not interested?”
Evander looked into his dark eyes. “Make her interested, Nicholas.”
“Yes, sir.” The other man swallowed hard. “How is your family, sir?”
Evander took a deep breath and leaned his head against the seat. “My uncle’s death has hit everyone hard. People never imagined a man like Troy could be taken down.” He tilted his head over to look at Nicholas. “I guess it just goes to show we aren’t the gods we think we are, huh?”
Nicholas hung his head and nodded. “No, sir, we’re not.”
“Be careful,” her sister warned sternly. “We don’t know this guy and I have no idea how he found us.”
“I will. I promise. This interview is important. I won’t screw it up.” She smoothed down the navy dress she’d borrowed from their neighbor—who happened to be about four inches shorter and a few pounds thinner. The fabric fit like a second skin and showed a healthy dose of thigh. But she didn’t own a dress. Neither sister did. They owned scrubs, a few pairs of second-hand jeans, and sweaters. That was the extent of their wardrobe. Her size eight feet were stuffed into size seven heels and she wore bargain bin lipstick. Her hair fell in a sleek ponytail down her back to the gold belt that was currently strangling her waist.
“You look beautiful. But if you don’t hurry, you’ll be late.”
She winked at her sister. “I’m never late.”
With her sister in a safe place, she walked to the cozy Italian café just off the bustling streets of Chicago. Immediately, she knew the man awaiting her arrival. Around him glowed a dim energy, his aura. And wasn’t it her lucky night. He was good-looking beyond belief. Great hair, the short brown cut accentuated his jawline. He wore an expensive suit, which she expected. What she didn’t expect was the color of his eyes, two pools of ocean-water blue that sparkled like sunlight hitting the waves.
He was the only person in the place who appeared to be waiting on someone. She sauntered up to him.
“You must be Paul Smith. I’m Piper Martinez.” She smiled at the dashing man who rose to greet her. She held out a hand and didn’t bother hiding the appreciative glance she gave his tall frame.
“Piper.” He shook her hand and motioned for her to take a seat. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for meeting me on such short notice. And might I say, you look lovely.”
She gave him her best shy smile. “Thank you. May I call you Paul?”
“Absolutely. Everyone at the Ralpha Clinic is like family. We might as well be on a first name basis.”
“Paul.” She smiled again. “I was very intrigued when you said you deal with special cases at your clinic. But I’m afraid I couldn’t find any advertising or contact information about you online. I have to say, that bothered me.”
Paul grinned and leaned back in his seat, resting his arm over the back of the wooden chair next to him. “You get right to it, don’t you, my dear?” He flagged a waitress. “Why don’t we order something to drink and then we can get down to business.” Paul ordered a bottle of wine even after she told him she didn’t drink and asked for a glass of water instead.
“You don’t have to follow typical interview protocol with me, Piper. If you wish to have a glass of wine, please do. As far as I’m concerned, you already have a place at the Ralpha Clinic. All we’re here to discuss are the…” He searched for the word. “Details.”
After Paul’s first sip of wine she got up the courage to ask, “What kind of patients do you deal with?”
Paul took a moment to study her face, the wheels turning in his head. “We deal with people who would stand out in a typical hospital. Our patients need special treatment that most hospitals would not offer. I believe you understand what I’m saying.”
“And if I don’t?” No way in hell was she laying all her cards on the table this early. Hell, she’d just walked in and sat down.
His eyes narrowed. “If you don’t understand then I’m afraid there has been a mistake and I shall leave you to your evening.” He moved to stand, his hands going to the buttons of his coat.
Shit. If he left she was screwed.
“And if I do?”
He sat back down, a smug grin crossed his face, but he quickly recovered. “Then I would be curious as to what skills you bring to the table.”
“My skills are non-traditional, you could say.” She inched back her chair, relaxing as he did, and crossed her legs. His eyes traced the line of her thigh. He was definitely enjoying his view. “That’s why I was confused when your assistant called. You never mentioned who gave you my information.”
“It’s not important. What is important, Piper, is that skills like mine and yours are unique and should be exercised with caution.”
“I guess it isn’t something you can advertise online.” Heat crept up her cheeks and she pushed a strand of hair from her cheek. Paul was most definitely Olympian. But was he friend or foe?
Her eyes darted around the room. Gods, what if this was a trap, what if they’d been found and this sexy
man was a distraction? What if her sister was in danger?
“I do have some questions.” He pulled a small notepad from his jacket pocket.
“Naturally.”
As he shot off typical questions, she answered swiftly. Where had she learned her formal medical training? Where had she worked? Why did she leave the last hospital? Most of which she could answer straightforwardly.
The change in him was gradual. He began to ask increasingly personal questions. Finally, he came right out and asked if she was seeing anyone.
Giving him her most demure, shy smile she looked at him from under her lashes. “Mr. Smith, I would advise you not to cross that line. You see, I’m most eager to work with you, but I don’t get romantically involved with my coworkers, particularly those with the power to fire me.”
He stared at her lips. Paul had luscious lips himself. She wanted nothing more than to see if they tasted as good as they looked.
“That’s a shame. You’re an extraordinarily beautiful woman. I’d like to get to know you better.” He took a deep breath and let it out with a long sigh. “But, in the best interests of my patients, I will respect your boundaries and your medical career. Indulge me in one more personal question and I will cease.” He held out a hand across the table. She slipped her hand over his willingly. His grip tightened and an electrical current traveled up her arm. Her muscles locked in place, paralyzing her.
“When were you going to tell me that you’re not Piper Martinez?”
Shit.
“I’M AFRAID I don’t know what you mean. My name is Piper.” Keona tried to pull her hand back but Paul didn’t release her. Instead he added his other hand on top of hers, gently rubbing her knuckles with his fingertips. His grip didn’t hurt her, there was no forceful pressure, only the feeling of being superglued to his skin.
“One of my myriad of gifts is the ability to see brain waves.” Paul lowered his voice to an intimate level. “When in conversation with someone, I can watch their mental activity, learn their individual patterns. I guess you could say I’m a walking lie detector.”
Shiiiiiit. She was in deep trouble. Time to escape.
“Right now, even as I’m talking, your brain is reacting to my touch, my words, my accusations.” Paul traced her fingers with the tips of his—the action would look like a lover’s touch had someone been watching them. “And I see every spark in your mind. I can detect the commands of your brain to move your arms, your legs, to escape from here. Your heart rate is accelerating, your lungs are fighting for air.”
The façade fell. “Let me go,” she growled.
His expression was nearly sympathetic, his brows dipping as he frowned. “I think not, beautiful.”
She couldn’t pull her arm away, couldn’t move at all. Her body was under his control. “What did you do to me?”
“Another gift. I not only see your brain activity, but I can manipulate it. Right now I’ve told your brain to keep your lovely body still so that you can be honest with me.” He smiled at her and his face turned soft. “I don’t wish to harm you. I wasn’t lying when I said I would like to get to know you better.”
“Burn in Hades,” Keona snarled. At least he hadn’t muzzled her yet.
“It’s your choice that it has to be like this. Please tell me your name.” He traced her knuckles with gentle, affectionate strokes.
“Keona.” She answered against her will, her mouth spitting out the answer as soon as her brain thought of it.
“Keona. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”
Even though he was basically mind-raping her, she couldn’t help but notice how he purred her name. Every syllable dripped with sensuality. How could she be attracted to him at a moment like this? Evil had to be pretty or it wouldn’t attract prey, now would it?
“Thank you for the compliment, but I’m not evil. I’m an Olympian, like you and your sister. I suppose you’re protecting her by coming in her place?”
“Yes.” Damn it! Keona would kill him for this.
He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed the back, just like a gentleman. “No you won’t. You’re not evil, either. A wise decision, coming on her behalf. Indeed, my own decoy was very upset at me wanting to meet you face-to-face.”
He needed a decoy? Who the hell was this guy?
“Since you have been forced to reveal yourself to me, I will now be honest with you. My real name is Evander. I do run a clinic for our people. We don’t have many patients, but those with even a hint of Olympian blood residing in this part of the country need us occasionally. I need your sister’s gifts, Keona. Our people need her healing hands. And I wish nothing more than to protect her while she works. Using her gifts in a human hospital is commendable, but dangerous.”
Free me, she thought to him, knowing he would catch the mental patterns. I won’t run.
Evander slowly let go of her hand. Keona took a second to make sure she had control of her facilities. “Handy trick,” she sneered at him, rubbing her hands together and trying to get the electrical sting to retreat from her fingertips.
“It is. Please don’t be put out with me. In these times, it’s important to know who we confide in. I need to meet your sister.”
“No.” Keona was swift in her answer.
Evander looked puzzled. “And why not?”
“Piper is…special. I protect her, and honestly, Mr. Whoever-you-are, I don’t trust you.” All pretenses were gone now. Keona glared openly across the table. Her hand slowly inched towards the butter knife.
Without taking his eyes off of her, he reached over and removed the knife from the table. “Beautiful and fierce.”
Gods help her, he smiled and dimples formed on his cheeks. She was a sucker for dimples and a panty-dropping smile.
She cleared her throat. “Flattery will get you nowhere. What do you have to offer my sister? Because she’s just as gifted as you are, and frankly, I’m not impressed.”
His lips ticked. Confidence radiated off of him—he knew he had the upper hand, no matter what she said. And that alone pissed her off.
He kept his voice low and leaned in. “My clinic is near my estate, guarded day and night. She will have a personal bodyguard any time she leaves. Because make no mistake, Keona, if I have found you, the Rogues will, eventually.”
Keona went on immediate alert. Piper, she contacted her sister telepathically. Are you safe?
You dropped me in the middle of Italy. I don’t think anyone would guess that, sis.
“Amazing,” Evander whispered, watching her eyes intently. “What you just did accessed a part of the brain humans never use.”
“It’s called telepathy.”
“Is that your gift?” His eyes brightened like he’d found buried treasure.
“No.”
He assessed her again. “Truth. Do you mind me asking what it is?”
“You’ve been invasive enough for one meeting.” She stood to leave and turned to him. “Thank you for the drink, but I need to be going.”
“Please, don’t leave.” He touched her hand, but she felt no current of his powers. “I would like to finish having dinner with you. You’re hungry, I know you are. Since you’re not Piper, and therefore not working for me, perhaps we can still salvage the evening?”
Keona cast him a look of distaste. “Are you flirting with me?”
Evander laughed. “I’m trying. Not very well, clearly.” He adjusted his tie and his earlier layer of confidence seemed thinner.
Keona nearly choked on her own tongue at the sexiness of his blush. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to…” She paused, closed her eyes, not believing she was about to admit that no one ever hit on her. “Never mind.”
He pulled out her chair, his brows raising in silent question. She took a deep breath and sat. This was not how tonight was supposed to go.
Evander took in every detail of the face across the table from him. She was, well, she was drop-dead sexy. Deep brown eyes tilted at the corners and we
re ringed in thick black lashes. And her lips, oh, what a fresh slice of temptation. Full and pouty. He thought about the things those lips could do and his pulse quickened. Her long, raven’s-wing black hair was another temptation. He could just imagine wrapping it around his hands or feeling it tickle his chest as he made love to her. She squirmed under his gaze, but held her chin high. Such pride. Such stubbornness.
Mine. All mine.
“You’re uncomfortable?” Evander loosened his tie and leaned back in his chair.
Keona let out her breath and shrugged one shoulder. “I’m not into dresses.” Her words and her attitude were at odds. She seemed more than comfortable in that skintight dress. It barely covered her thighs and her mile-long legs were on display for the whole restaurant to see.
The desire to read her like a book was only outweighed by his desire for her to open to him willingly. “What are you into?”
Keona took her time. This was a person scared to answer too many intimate questions. What did such a young woman need to hide? His curiosity piqued.
“My answer might frighten you.”
“Try me.” Please, gods, let her be as intriguing as I hope she is.
“I’m into martial arts.” She crossed her arms over her chest defiantly, her toned arms bearing witness to her declaration. “I enjoy physical competition. Boxing, kick-boxing, and the like.”
He didn’t bother hiding his shock. “Do your Olympian abilities give you an advantage in those areas?”
“Sure. It’s not one I can show to humans, though. When dealing with them, I play fair.”
Well, didn’t that make him curious and extremely aroused? “Is that why my interest in you was unexpected?”
“The only men I come in contact with on a consistent basis are training with me. Most men don’t like a woman who can incapacitate them. Something about emasculation.” She shrugged.
He knew what she was doing. Keona was purposefully trying to intimidate him. Too bad tough women turned him on. “I think I would enjoy watching you. Maybe even challenging you.”
