Esau stares at us both then walks out. Maybe he hopes to figure out what’s bugging us outside, where Zedder’s man cannot hear what is said.
Hailey is still staring, has sucked in her bottom lip, and has established a mighty frown.
“I…” I raise my hand as if to add some explanation, but she backs away then goes out the door before it swings shut. I shrug at Oscar. The man looks completely uncaring and simply points at the door.
“Fuck.Again,” I mutter as I head for the door. I pull it open, praying Armageddon is not out there.
Grow some balls. Or sew another pair on?
Esau is studying the second cop and the police car parked at the head of the alley, but Hailey is waiting for me, arms folded.
I close in until we can talk without being too obvious. “Are you angry?” I leave out the details, hoping it’s not what I think it is, yet knowing it is that.
“I’m confused.” She shakes her head. “Why did you use Stone? How did you even know his— Forget that. I guess youread it somewhere in the house, Or did I say it?” She frowns at me. “It bothers me. Angry? I don’t know. Maybe for a minute, but I guess I can’t expect you to get all the social faux pas. Like, stealing a dead boy’s name is not normal.”
“Uh-huh.” It’s not quite what I thought it was. This is good. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”
“Maybe you don’t remember your real surname? We should brainstorm one. Smith?” Now she smiles. “Agent K. Smith.”
“Ha.Smith? Was that a joke?” I take her hand and kiss the back, happy to play along. “Thank you for being kind.” She doesn’t think that Kail Stone is really me. Hasn’t wondered if I might be him, but then who would? No one normal would. In some ways, that’s sad, or insulting, maybe.
“Me? I’m kind?”
“You are. I try to be. On the other hand…if we go to a party, an X-rated sex party, I promise not to be kind.”
“A what? No. No. I wasn’t going to go. Cozy up to this guy who’s probably a sleazy creep? Really? There must be another way to get in there.”
“If you truly want to find out what is happening at the institute? Yes, I do. You won’t have to touch him. We can make him happy without that.”
“Happy? Meaning?”
“Meaning I fuck you, tie you up, while he watches.”
“Kail!”
I lower my voice another notch. “Are you going to deny you’re not already fantasizing about being watched while I have you bound and subject to my whims? The things I could do to you…”
“You.” She taps my chest. “Are a bad?—”
I pick her up and kiss her, holding her high. I back her intothe wall and keep kissing her while I keep my hand in a vee at her neck, my thumb digging into her muscles. She groans hotly into my mouth and wraps her legs around my waist. I swear I can feel the heat of her pussy through my jeans when I push my hard length into her. If the cop is bothered, who cares. His boss is inside getting a bribe.
I wait until she’s grinding herself on me and grabbing at my shoulders like she wants to rip off my shirt, making those gorgeous, muffled noises she does when she’s horny. I raise my head and allow her to suck in a few breaths.
She sneaks her tongue across her open mouth. I press my forehead to hers to ask quietly, “Coming to the party? Say yes. You know I’ll keep you safe.”
“Fuuuck. Kail, you are a bad, bad man.”
I kiss her lightly but keep my hand at her neck. “Say yes.”
Her forehead wrinkles. She studies me, looking for god knows what. “Yes?”
“The right answer.”
I let her down and take her hand then turn and walk to Esau. He’s politely looking the other way, though the cop has moved back to the middle of the alley entrance, beneath a light. Judging by his smile and thumbs up, he was highly entertained.
“You okay there, Esau?” I have questions, though I’m not sure I should ask them, considering my recent mess-ups.
“I’m good.” He swings to look at us. “You mean Niamh? Or your little tête-à-tête?”
