I Spy a Dark Obsession

Michael persisted. “I swear I’ll be careful.”

“Fine. Do what you want, like you always do. It’s not like I or anyone else can stop you.”

From Michael’s expression, that wasn’t what he wanted to hear. But it was all Bastian had left to say.

Blaze glanced between them and lowered his hands. “So, we’re good here? We’re gonna get down to business?” Both of his friends nodded, and he picked up the duffel, sitting it on the bed. “Great. Emma, show them what you brought for us to wear.”

The woman stepped forward, eyeing her bosses warily. “Right.” Unzipping the bag, she pulled out several articles of clothing, a wig, and a baseball cap. “I know I’m preaching to the choir here, but the main thing to remember when going incognito is that people see what they want to see. For this outing, we’re going to do some basic alteration, no heavy makeup or anything elaborate.”

They all watched as she sorted the outfits into two specific sets. Even Bastian moved closer, interested in the process.

“These are for you,” she said to Michael, gesturing to the clothes. “When I’m done with you, all anyone will see is an average street person who’s maybe a little down on his luck and could use a shower.”

“Great. I’m supposed to get my contacts to talk, not run them off,” he muttered, and everyone laughed.

Well, everyone except Bastian.

Emma shook her head. “You won’t run them off, because they’ll no doubt look just like you. Here, go put these on.” He took the clothes and disappeared into the bathroom. She turned to address her lover. “Since you’re already wearing the jeans, all you need is the rest. Take off your shirt and put these on.” She indicated the black T-shirt and matching leather jacket adorned with silver rivets.

Obediently, Blaze stripped off his shirt, and Katrina couldn’t help but admire the view. The man was ripped with muscle, more than two hundred pounds of mouthwatering male perfection. She wanted to run her fingers through all that silky black hair falling to his big shoulders. Yum.

She glanced at Bastian, and from his smirk, she realized he’d caught her looking. His grin said, Look all you want. I’ve had some of that! Impulsively, she stuck her tongue out at her lover, which only amused him more. Dammit, she was jealous.

Michael emerged from the bathroom, wearing ratty jeans with holes in the knees, a stained, yellowed T-shirt, and a plaid flannel shirt worn over it as a jacket. He went to stand beside Blaze, who’d donned the studded jacket. “How come he gets to wear the cool stuff?”

“Because it fits his persona,” Emma explained. “He’s too big and brawny to come across as a poor, little street waif, so he gets to be the badass, don’t-fuck-with-me guy.”

“I think I just got insulted.” He scowled, which made the ladies giggle. “Hey, I’ve got your little right here.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Anyway, let’s get this wig and the ball cap on you.” Working quickly, she covered his short sable hair with the wig, transforming him into a man with shoulder-length, dirty-brown locks. With the whole outfit, topped off with the ball cap, he looked like a different man. Walking the street tonight, even his friends would be hard-pressed to spot him.

“Oh, and don’t smile,” Emma said. “Your teeth are too white and perfect for a street rat. They’ll give you away in a second.”

Standing in front of the mirror over the dresser, Michael studied himself and tried an experimental smile. “You’re right. No smiling — not that either of us will have a reason.”

“Now you.” Emma combed back Blaze’s hair and tied a black bandana over his head, gang style. A pair of silver stud earrings capped the outfit, and she stood back, eyeing him critically. “Crap.”

Blaze looked at himself. “What?”

“That getup makes you look even sexier than when we started. The idea is for you to blend, not attract every male slut and biker bimbo within twenty miles who’s looking for a hard ride.” She did not appear pleased at the prospect.

“Aww. I’m not giving rides to anyone but you, sweetness.” He gave her a smooch on the lips, which seemed to placate her.

“He won’t blend, but I seriously doubt anyone’s going to mess with him,” Bastian pointed out. “Not if they don’t want their asses kicked.”

“I think we’re ready.” Michael looked at Blaze. “Which car did you bring?” SHADO had a garage stocked with cars they used for undercover ops. Most of them had been confiscated from criminals during busts.

“The old blue Chevy. Looks like a rattletrap, but she’s a beast under the hood.”

“That’ll do. Let’s get out there and see what we can learn.”

Blaze busied himself with giving Emma a heated good-bye. Michael walked over to Katrina and Bastian, held open his arms. She walked into them, but noticed that their other lover stayed off to the side, face turned away. Michael kissed her thoroughly, giving her a promise of delights to come. He pulled back and gave her a small smile, eyes shadowed.

“I’ll be home before you even miss me.”

“Too late. I already do.” She stroked his cheek with one finger. “Be careful.”

“I will.” He turned to their lover. “Bastian?”

“Good luck.” He limped from the room.

The curt dismissal cut Michael to the quick. Katrina saw the hurt in his eyes before he covered the raw emotion by giving her another quick kiss. “See you both soon, baby.”

Then he and Blaze were gone, leaving her and Emma standing in the huge vacuum created by their departure. Her friend’s husky voice was quiet.

“Love isn’t all fun and games, is it?”

“I wish. Those two are both so hardheaded, they rip each other to shreds before one of them finally gives.”

“And I thought one stubborn alpha male was a challenge. Good luck, girlfriend.”

“Gee, thanks.” She paused. “Would you like a glass of wine or two while we wait up for the guys to get back?”

“I’d love one! Maybe we can convince your blond stud to stop fretting and join us.”

“We can try.”

As they made their way downstairs, she attempted unsuccessfully to squelch some worry of her own. A queasy feeling settled into her gut, making her wonder whether Bastian had been right to fight Michael on tonight’s outing.

An uncomfortable inner voice whispered, Just maybe, Michael should have listened.

“Where to next?” Blaze turned the key and the Chevy roared to life, then settled into a throaty purr.

Michael rubbed his tired eyes as his friend pulled out of the parking lot next to the latest club they’d hit. Two hours, and nothing. It wouldn’t have seemed like a long time if he’d gotten any sleep lately. “Let’s see. We’ve talked to Skeeter, Dog, Snake, and Skunk. Who’s left in the zoo?”

Blaze snorted. “Lions, tigers, and bears?”

“All accounted for.”

“Then I guess that leaves all the dudes with normal names.”

“That’s a really short list. There’s Dave, Pat, and Lenny. Pick a name.”

“Pat’s hangout is the closest from here. But of the three, his tips aren’t usually as reliable,” he added thoughtfully.

“Then let’s save him for last. Let’s try Lenny. I was kind of harsh with him on the phone and I’d like to follow up in person.”

“You know, of all the snitches we use, he’s the one I don’t mind paying. That guy works hard and he’s really trying to make a go of getting out of that neighborhood.” Blaze made a right and drove down a darkened street toward the bar. “The money doesn’t go up his nose.”

“If anyone can make it, he can,” Michael agreed. In his pocket, his iPhone sang a greeting. Pulling it out, he peered at the number and blinked in surprise. “Speak of the devil.” He answered as Blaze glanced over curiously.