“Rowan?Rowan!” Her father shuffled up.Delgado dropped her arm, scanning the parking lot.The blue van sat on the other end, silent and apparently deserted.Good.Zeke knew better than to interfere.
What a golden fucking opportunity.Play it careful, Delgado.Please.Play it very fucking careful here.“That was weird,” he said.“That guy was trying to drag you off or something.Are you okay?”
“My arm,” she said, rubbing where the Sig had grabbed her.“He really had a grip on me.God.I… I…”
“Who the hell are you?”Major Price barked at Delgado, who stepped back, raising his hands in a classicHey man, I’m harmlessstance.
It was too risky.Forgive me,he thought, and used just a littlepush.
Major Price took a step back, his eyes blinking.That small of apushwouldn’t cause much pain—just a slight headache, nothing severe.Dear old dad was vulnerable to psychic assault, it seemed.The intelligent normals usually were.
Great.
“I saw him dragging her,” Delgado answered smoothly, deftly snapping free from thepush.Dad was on his side now.“She didn’t look like it was consensual, so I?—”
“Dad,” Rowan interrupted, “he probably saved my life.”Then her green gaze was on him, and every hair on Delgado’s body threatened to stand straight up.“Thanks.”
“No problem,” he managed.His entire body felt as if it was dipped in electricity.Had she felt himpushingher father?No, Delgado was experienced enough to avoid that.Jesus, what’s she doing?
“What were they doing?”her father asked.“What happened?”
“Some guy told me to come with him—I think he bruised my arm.He was dragging me toward a van.”Rowan laughed, a breathless, brittle sound.“And this man came out and scared him off.”
Major Price regarded Delgado for a long moment.He’s not psychic, barely on the scale.Where did she get it from?Del let his gaze shift over to Rowan, as if helpless.It was only half an act.Being this close to her was like standing in the path of a lightning bolt.His fingers itched to touch her cheek, he wanted to curl his hands into fists to stop the persistent aching itch.He had never in his life wanted to touch a woman this badly.
Finally, the old man extended his hand, thepushreverberating inside Delgado’s skull.If he’d used any more power, the old man might have had a real headache instead of just a sick, faint feeling and a slight twinge around his temples.“Thank you, Mr.—”
“Delgado,” Del said, quietly.No reason not to give his name.He was going to recruit Rowan anyway.
Rowan stared at him, her eyebrows drawing together.Do I sound familiar?No, I don’t.And she didn’t see me last night.It was too dark.“You look… familiar.Have I met you before?”
“I don’t think so.I’d certainly remember that,” he answered, shaking her father’s hand.If she touches me, it’ll spook her.Got to avoid that.
“Price,” the old man said.His eyes were very sharp, a lighter green than Rowan’s, but piercing.His grip was firm, professional, no-nonsense.“Henry Price.This is my daughter Rowan.”
Delgado nodded.“You look cold.”She was still staring at him, her mouth tilting down at the corners.“Both of you.You’ll catch cold out here.”He gently extricated himself from Price’s handshake.It wouldn’t do to break Daddy’s wrist.
“The police—” Rowan began.
“I don’t know if they can do anything,” Delgado said.“Did you get the license plate?”I doubt you did, angel.You were too busy screaming.
“I—” She wasstaringat him.“No, I didn’t,” she finished abruptly.“But?—”
Delgado nodded.Wondered what her skin would feel like.“Well, glad to help.Look, I’m in a hurry, I’ve got to go.”
“But thepolice,” Rowan protested, just like a good little Girl Scout.
“No police,” the old man said suddenly, giving her a warning look.Delgado almost sighed, relieved.Thepushhad worked.“Thank you, sir.Rowan, give the nice man our phone number.What can we do to thank you, Mr.Delgado?”
“Okay, Dad,” she said, obediently, finally looking down to dig in her brown canvas purse.She was obviously stunned.
“Well…” Delgado weighed the situation, found it precarious.“I’d like to take Miss Price out to dinner.”He managed a light tone.“This hardly seems like a good way to introduce myself, though.”
“We’re having dinner tonight,” the old man said.“Can we invite you over, to thank you for saving Rowan’s life?”
“Dad,” Rowan protested weakly.Was sheblushing?Delgado forced himself not to look.Can it really be that easy?What did I do to deserve this kind of luck?
“Give him our address too, Rowan.Dinner’s at seven tonight.Can we invite you, Mr.Delgado?”
