Chapter Nine
ALEX THOUGHT KENNEDY was doing pretty damn well getting on with the guys. Bailey had helped a ton. Gideon, not so much. Did the guy really need to emphasize how crazy Alex got when Gideon did him? Not something he wanted to share right away with his new—what? Lover? Girlfriend? Mate?
Shelving that thought for a later date, he glanced at Kennedy and saw her confusion. “I know. They’re a lot to take in. Gideon especially.” He shot Gideon the finger, and his buddy just smiled. “But we’re honest about who we are. We don’t lie. We’re fucked up. We’re not human. But we have each other, and we’re tight.”
Gideon took over. “So you can understand why I won’t let anyone hurt any of us. Alex and Eli said you’re good to go. I don’t know you. The fact you can get in and out of our heads is a little disturbing.”
“Show her the tele-blast,” Bailey said. “Not too hard, but to let her know what happens to those who try to hurt us.”
Alex blinked. “Bailey?”
Bailey didn’t bat an eye. “I like her, and I sense honesty, compassion, care for her cousin. I also sense some feelings for you,” she said, exposing Kennedy in front of everyone. Though Alex loved that Kennedy liked him more than the others, he didn’t want that common knowledge to scare her off.
“But I agree with Gideon,” Bailey continued. “Kennedy needs to know we’re not a bunch of do-gooders who take everyone on faith. We’ve all been used by Lang and his people. We all trusted too much at first.”
“I didn’t,” Eli said.
“Me either,” Carter added.
She spoke over them. “We can be your best friends, Kennedy. Or your worst enemies.”
Kennedy frowned, gasped, and clutched her head.
“Gideon, cut it out,” Alex growled.
Kennedy recovered well enough, her eyes wide. “Thathurt.”
“And that’s only a small part of what he can do,” Bailey said. “I’m sorry, but you need to know we’re a threat.”
“I believe you.” She sounded shaky. Damn it.
“A threat to Lang and his people,” Gideon said. “I know Lang has files on all of us.”
She nodded. “He hates you. And Palmer too.” She looked at Alex, still rubbing her head. “Oh right. Alex Palmer. He really doesn’t like you.”
“Good.” Because Alex wanted to gut the fucker responsible for so much death and destruction. “I worked his lab security for months, and that man is evil. He hurt people to see how much they could take, for science. His subjects aren’t real to him, just a means to an end. He’s harmed so many for his own gain.” Innocents like his sister.
I’m so sorry, Alex.Kennedy curled her hand over his, and he realized his claws had come out. Sometimes the rage took him under, the helplessness at saving Katie too much to bear.
You saved me,she pathed softly.
He blinked at her, seeing a watery smile, and wiped her tears. “Aw, baby. Don’t cry.”
Gideon and Bailey exchanged a look.
He frowned. “What?”
Bailey said nothing. It was Carter who answered. “She’s good for you. Took you out of your funk right quick.”
Gideon kept staring at Kennedy, and the more he looked, the more Alex bothered became.
“Easy, Alex.” Gideon nodded. “Kennedy, you can read minds.”
“Yes. Mostly.”
“So if we get you close to Lang, can you find out where he’s keeping a friend of mine?”
“No.” Alex wouldn’t put her in harm’s way again.
