Twice as Hot

by Gena Showalter

Chapter Sixteen

 

  "You look nice ," I said, gaze roving over Rome. Not a lie. I'd never seen him so dressed up. He wore a black pinstriped suit, not a wrinkle in sight. His hair was slicked back, and he smelled of rich, spicy cologne.

  Plus, he'd somehow managed to change his features. I didn't see any hint of makeup or plastic, yet his nose looked longer, his cheeks sharper, his mouth a bit thinner. Mouthwatering as he appeared, I hadn't recognized him when he'd stepped out of the bathroom.

  "Thank you. So do you. "

  I, at least, wasn't lying or simply being nice. He truly looked delectable. Me? Not so much. Not next to him. While he was caviar, I was SPAM in my barely there purple spandex. Seriously, I needed business cards that said Two Hours - Two Hundred. "So why are we in disguise?"

  "Desert Gall has hired people to hunt you down. I don't want to have to deal with that on top of everything else. Plus, this is her home turf, which means she already has the advantage. We don't want to hand her another one by announcing our presence. "

  I sighed in agreement. We were seated inside a plush Bentley - I hadn't asked where he'd gotten it, I was just glad it wasn't a sedan - and were creaking down the highway. He was treating the car like a beloved virgin, taking things slow and gentle.

  My cell rested beside me. There were three messages waiting for my response: one from the pastor presiding over the ceremony-that-may-never-happen, one from Memory Man - "I had fun with you yesterday. You're prettier in person than you are in memory" - and one from Reese the vampire. "Call me. Please," he'd said, sounding oddly desperate. "I need to do another test. Just one. That's all I need. " This was not the time. For any of them. Talking to the pastor would depress me, talking to Memory Man would piss me off (I hoped - every time I spoke to him, more of my anger drained, not that I had much left), and talking to Reese would irritate me. I was tired of being tested. And what did he need to test me for, anyway?

  I wiggled in my seat, trying to force my dress to cover some of my thighs. "Sure you want to be seen with me?"

  One corner of his lips twitched. "Sure. Nervous?"

  "No. "

  After his shower, we'd left Lexis and Sherridan in the room, but we hadn't gone directly to the costume party or whatever. We'd had lunch and yes, I'd been stared at. By everyone. I'd wanted to talk about things, about us, but Rome had kept things all business. Afterward, we walked the busy city streets hand in hand. Not to bond, sadly, but so that Rome could show me around. Exit routes, safe zones, hot spots.

  That kind of thing.

  Now, the sun was setting on the horizon, low and hazy and violet. Mountains swept the landscape on every side, and they were utterly breathtaking. I'd traveled with my friends a bit as a teenager - excursions I hadn't been aware my dad was killing himself to finance - so I'd been to white-sanded beaches, as well as Aspen to snow ski. This was, by far, my favorite sight.

  The air was clean, invigorating me. I breathed deeply of it, loving the feel of my cells expanding in delighted welcome. "So. . . tell me what we're dealing with tonight, what our purpose is. "

  "While we were on the plane, I did a little digging. "

  While I was snoozing the day away, he meant. I popped my jaw. "And?"

  "Didn't take me long to find the paranormal underground. They have a. . . club. " That hesitation scared me. "What kind of club?"

  "A gentleman's club. "

  Dear God. Strippers, prostitutes and leering males. Wonderful. No wonder he'd dressed me as he had.

  I was his own personal pleasure slave. My head tilted to the side. Hmm, pleasure slave. We'd played that game before. Only, he'd been my slave. I guess this whole role-reversal thing was only fair.

  "All right. I'm down with that," I said. "But you had better not ask me to pleasure some stranger for information or there will be hell to pay. "

  "That will never happen. You're mine tonight," he said, his voice husky, wine-rich.

  I gulped, trying to fight a heady stream of heat now flowing through my veins. That was the first advance he'd made on me today.

  "But you're right. Information is what we're after. I doubt Desert Gall hangs out there - she's just too on-guard - but someone who knows her, her weaknesses and her habits might. I'll keep you safe, but you should know what you'll be dealing with. People with paranormal abilities are more susceptible to drug use, alcohol abuse and the need to consort with others like themselves. People who are different.

  There will be a lot of scrims on the premises. "

  Peachy. But why didn't I know this already? I'd been working for PSI long enough to have this kind of data. "So we're walking into a drugged-out, drunk-ass make-out session?"

  "Pretty much. "

  I massaged my temples. Felt how moist they were. Gross. Was I nervous and just didn't realize it, causing ice to form and melt on my skin? Or were my powers wigging out again? "People like that are leery of strangers. " Grimacing, I rubbed my sweaty palms over my bare thighs. "No way we'll get in. "

  "Oh, we'll get in. Let's just say I have connections, so we've already been added to tonight's entrance list. "

  I shouldn't have been surprised, I thought, again shifting in my seat. "Ever been to one of these things before?"

  He gave a clipped nod, but didn't offer any further comment. O-kay. I'd take that to mean he'd done some very naughty things. "Of your own free will or for a case?"

  "Does it matter?"

  His own free will, then. To keep my jealousy - and my power over the earth - under control, I changed the subject. "Don't tell me we'll be expected to use the drugs and drink the alcohol. " I had enough trouble keeping myself alive without them. No telling how much danger I'd stumble into on them.

  Actually, that would be a good test for John to run. That kind of information would help me out here in the field. Too, if anyone ever forced some kind of substance down my throat or into my vein, I'd be prepared, know how I'd react. Note to self: talk to John about that, then call Reese back and schedule the feeding.

  "Absolutely not. We're just going to mingle, schmooze," Rome said. "Nothing more. Understand?" There had been a mother-bear quality to his tone that had me rolling my eyes. "I wasn't asking because I was excited by the prospect. Jeez. Now, tell me what kind of powers we're going to be dealing with. "

  "All kinds. Mind readers, misters like Sunny, shifters, psychics like Lexis, illusionists, electrophiles like Cody, drainers like Desert Gall and your pet project back at headquarters. You name it. " I took offense on Elaine's behalf at the term "pet project. " But Rome and I could hash that out later.

  Right now my mind was buzzing with images of what I'd soon be up against. Mind readers - I'd have to erect a mind shield to protect my thoughts. Something I'd learned during my dealings with Lexis, who could also read minds. Misters - they could walk through walls. Because of Sunny, I knew that if you got them to solidify inside a wall or other object, they would die. Shifters - they could mutate into any animal imaginable, and some that weren't. Because of Rome, I knew how ferocious they could be.

  Illusionists - they could change their, and others', surroundings with only a thought, making everyone think they were somewhere they weren't.

  I hadn't experienced that last one yet, but knew if I continued in this line of work it was only a matter of time before I did.

  "How will I be able to spot the drainers?" I asked. I didn't want to go down like Tanner had.

  "Sometimes you can just sense it. " He shifted gears. "Ever been around someone, walked away and felt tired?"

  I thought it over. "Yes. "

  "Well, there you go. Sometimes, though, you can tell just by sight. An experienced drainer will wear clothes that cover them from head to toe, leaving only their faces exposed. They know who to touch, when to touch them. The less experienced ones, well, they don't know how to hold the energy or water or whatever their bodies crave in excess inside themselves, so their cheeks appear sunken, their skin sallow and flaky, thei
r bodies sluggish. They'll touch anyone who's foolish enough to get close to them to replenish their supply. "

  Scary stuff. My skin was chilling, my body temperature dropping. How did one fight a person they couldn't touch? I gulped, changed the subject again before I froze the entire car. "What if we see one of PSI's Most Wanted Scrims?" I asked. Our job was to put them in a supernatural prison, after all. A prison with better security - security designed to negate the very powers they wielded - than those used for normal humans. I could only imagine what would be done to me if ever I was sentenced to confinement. Since pollutants were my downfall, I'd probably find myself drowning in them, always weak, always coughing. They'd keep me drugged, too, I didn't doubt. Keep my emotions numb.

  What a lovely thought.

  Rome veered off the highway onto a side road. "We're only after Desert Gal. No one else matters right now. "

  I frowned. There were no buildings around us, no street signs. Not anymore. "You didn't lie about the party, did you? Dress me up only to take me into a barren wasteland and kill me?" He snorted. "Please. If I were going to do you in, I'd tie you to a bed and have my way with you first. " Comforting. And sexy. But I was avoiding sexy right now. Rome had vowed to change my mind about sleeping with him, yet he'd made no effort to do so. Actions were stronger than words - or lack of actions. I was taking the hint. "Remind me of our objective again. "

  "To watch, listen, learn. "

  I nodded. "I can do that. "

  "We'll see," he muttered. "Here's your first test. You're going to listen to me. While we're at the party, you are to do what I say, when I say to do it. You are not to leave my side for any reason. Not even to use the bathroom. If I'm unclear, let me know. You can get out of the car and wait for me here. " My eyes narrowed at him. "You're lucky I lo - like you. " I'd almost said love. No way I'd say those words until his memory returned. "I'll behave, don't you worry. I'll be so good, in fact, you'll think I'm Lexis. "

  For reasons I couldn't understand, he frowned the rest of the drive.

  As promised , the party was an underground flesh fest. More so than I'd imagined. A lot of men wore suits like Rome, as if they'd gotten off work and had come straight here.

  Hereturned out to be a metal building hidden at the base of a mountain. There'd been no signs pointing the way. One moment I'd seen nothing, the next I'd spotted about a hundred cars in front of what looked like a forgotten, dilapidated warehouse.

  The moment we'd stepped inside, however, that image had changed. The walls were lined with black velvet. There were leather couches in every corner, black lace hanging from the ceiling to create a dreamlike haze. Soft music wafted from the speakers, and the lights were dim. Very romantic. If not for the half-naked women roaming around.

  No wonder Rome had chosen to bring me rather than Lexis - which did not speak highly of me. I could look trashy; Lexis, elegant as she was, simply couldn't.

  A topless waitress sauntered past us with a tray of champagne, and I grabbed a flute. Not to drink, but to blend in.

  Rome flashed me an irritated glance and confiscated the glass. Motions stiff, he set it on the nearest table.

  Oopsie. I'd needed permission.

  He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me deeper into the lion's den. We'd had no trouble getting in. Rome had said, "Delta, and guest," and the pair of beefy armed guards at the front doors had nodded, moved aside and allowed us past without any trouble. My heart had pounded in my chest the entire time, and I think ice had even begun to crystallize over my skin. Again.

  When we reached the bar, Rome ordered a beer. I took a moment to look around. Smoke billowed through the room, adding to the dreamscape effect. A dreamscape that made me cough.

  Had I seen the club's occupants on the streets, I would not have thought of them as more than mortal.

  Some were tall and muscled, sure. But some were average height or shorter. Others were overweight and balding. What powers did they possess? And why weren't they showing them off? Some kind of unofficial agreement to behave?

  Beer in hand, Rome ushered me to a table in back. The one on our right was empty, but the one on our left was occupied. A young-looking man in a dress shirt and slacks had two naked women cuddled up to him, kissing and caressing.

  Rome sat and I eased next to him. When his hand settled on top of my thigh, I shivered. I forced my body to remain relaxed, my expression soft. I wondered, though, if there were gentlewoman's clubs where the men were the objects. If not, there should be.

  The size of the crowd surprised me. "Are there this many people with paranormal abilities in Georgia?"

  "Of course. They're everywhere, in every state. But not all of them are scrims, and not all of their powers are overt. "

  "You're new here," a man said, suddenly at Rome's side though I hadn't seen anyone approach.

  Rome nodded, sipped his beer as if he hadn't a care.

  "Welcome. " The man's gaze traveled to me. He was handsome. Greek-god handsome. Blond, tall, chiseled, with a strong nose and chin. A savage gleam in his bright green eyes. Some kind of symbol was tattooed on his throat. A circle with something inside it. "I saw you come in. Wanna trade?" he asked, snapping his fingers.

  A pretty brunette rushed to his side, sidling up and rubbing against him as if she'd been waiting for just such an invitation. She wore a leopard-print bikini and high heels.

  Rome took a moment to look the guy's bimbo over. He seemed to be mulling the possibility over in his mind, the jerk.

  I pinched his knee, my skin suddenly hot. Not enough to burn through his pants, but close.

  "No," Rome finally said. "Not now. I've been looking forward to this one's mouth for hours. Maybe later, though. "

  Yeah, later - if I didn't cut off his arms and use them to club him to death first. Bastard! I knew this was all for show, or rather, thought I did. The truth was, I didn't really know this new Rome or what he was capable of.

  "My name's Johnny if you change your mind. " Johnny's gaze stroked me, as if he could already picture me naked (not that it took much imagination thanks to my Rome-mandated outfit) and he liked what he saw.

  I shuddered.

  That seemed to delight him, but he clomped off with his brunette.

  Rome touched my thigh again, even leaned over as if he were whispering something erotic into my ear and said, "He's a space and time manipulator and he's been on PSI's capture and neutralize list for a long time. He's gone back to the past and, we think, placed major bets and made all kinds of money he shouldn't have. As I'm sure you could tell, his weakness is women. Stay away from him. I'll come back for him another time. "

  Suddenly Rome stiffened. He straightened abruptly and cursed under his breath.

  "What?" I asked, glancing around. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

  "Shit. I've got to leave you for a moment. "

  "What!" I demanded again, chest tightening. You are an agent. Act like one.

  "It can't be helped. Stay here, and you'll stay out of trouble. " He grasped my chin, his fingers warm.

  "Do not move from this spot. I've marked you as mine and no one will touch you if they know what's good for them. " He gave me a hard kiss. Then he stood and strode off, and I was on my own.