The conference room wasbland, not quite cold but not quite warm, either. Instead of rolling desk chairs or throw-away plastic seating, the table was surrounded with office-standard guest type chairs. Sturdy arms in a material Jenna couldn’t label, thin cushions for the seat and low back, and immobile curved ‘legs’ that were a pain to drag in and out. They functioned, but no one would really want to linger in them. And that was Jenna’s impression of the entire room.
Or perhaps it was her mood.
She felt better after a night of hard, somewhat fitful sleep and two long soaks in the hot shower, but too many parts of her body still ached. Her wrists still needed to be covered. Jon had insisted on wrapping her ankle in an ace wrap for support for a couple of days, and that meant it didn’t fit in her normal shoes. She was a mess.
Across the table from them, Lilia Rodriguez folded her sleek notebook-folder closed with an almost clichéd snap. “Well, that was a lot,” the woman said as she lowered her pen. She rested her hands over the notebook, making no move to actually stand, and rotated her gaze over the people in the room.
Lilia was in her mid-thirties by Jenna’s estimation, with perfectly straight, black hair that hung about halfway between her chin and shoulders. She had golden-brown eyes that shone with confidence and strength, and seemed to see more than what they should. She looked every bit the professional woman, down to her carefully manicured, unblemished nails and flawless makeup. Neutral seemed to be her natural expression, but when she smiled, her eyes lit up and it warmed her entire face. Though Jenna suspected they only saw that version because she allowed it.
“Yeah,” Alex said, one seat removed from Jon, “that’s one way to put it.”
Jon stretched an arm behind Jenna’s chair, his fingers grazing her arm in a light touch. “I hear Sheriff Parker caused a scene while we were busy with our own. That’s also being included in this, I assume?”
Lilia nodded. “Absolutely. Parker Senior made a documented, witnessed attempt on not only the life of an admitted patient, but also a registered nurse. That alone is grounds to strip him of his badge and begin legal proceedings. But we want to wait to file charges until we know exactly what charges he deserves.”
“That’s just crazy,” Alex muttered.
“Apple didn’t fall far from the tree on that one,” Jon replied.
Lilia tapped one nail on her book. “There is one thing I’d like to clear up. If possible, this is something I would like to keep off the record.”
Jenna stiffened. “What more could you need to know?” She swore her body hurt more after having verbally relived the day than it had when they’d arrived.
Lilia met her gaze for a moment and her eyes softened as if in sympathy. Then she looked back to Jon and Alex. “Parker Senior and Parker Junior both said some things about men with impossible abilities. The two of you were both named, as well as Mr. Blackburn.”
Jenna curled her fingers into the hem of her shirt.Shit.There was nothing wrong with them being what they were. But people were assholes and the idea of acceptance was mostly a controversial notion in the current social climate.
“And what did Lance say when you asked him about this?” Jon asked calmly.
Lilia didn’t blink. “He laughed.”
Alex leaned forward, arms on the table. “You’re asking us if we’re superhuman?”
“You haven’t denied it yet.”
Jon ran his fingertips up and down Jenna’s arm in a light caress. “You may not be aware, Ms. Rodriguez, but the specific reason for mine and Lance’s discharge is highly classified information.”
Jenna fought the impulse to turn her head and gape at him. She had no idea what kind of answer that was.
Lilia raised a neatly trimmed brow. “I don’t recall asking for that information.”
“Then if we’re done here,” Jon said, “I’d like to take my girlfriend home.” He stood and pulled Jenna’s chair out so she could do the same.
Jenna saw Lilia’s brow furrow before she turned her attention to taking Jon’s hand and keeping too much weight off her sensitive ankle. “I’m notthatfragile,” she grumbled.
He looped his arm around her waist. “Maybe I just want to spoil you.”
Well. What the hell was she supposed to say to that?
“Hey, Johnson,” Alex called as Jon reached for the door to the conference room.
Jon paused and glanced back without bothering to turn them around.
“I know we found the girl you knew about, but that cartel’s still out there. From everything I’ve heard, Pretty Bird doesn’t sound like he loses quietly,” Alex said.
“I really hope you’re not plotting reckless vigilante antics in front of me,” Lilia said.
Jenna bit back a smile and leaned into Jon’s shoulder.Of course they are.
