“What do you need?”
Brass spoke. “We would like you to take one of us into your work and see if you can find out where Bill is.”
Lauren was stunned at that request. “You plan to just grab him if he’s at work?”
“We have the right to arrest him for his crimes against New Species,” Brass assured her softly. “I doubt he will be there but he’s made friends at work, hasn’t he? Perhaps you could find out from them where he is.”
Lauren glanced at their black clothing. “I guess I could do that but one of you would definitely have to change clothes and wear…” She studied their eyes. “Sunglasses. Otherwise if Bill is there he’s going to spot you right away. The black clothing will draw attention and if Bill worked for Mercile Industries he’s going to be alarmed to see a New Species.”
“We’re sure he’s the correct human male. We thought of this already.” Brass hesitated. “We thought we’d have Wrath dress up however you think he should. He could pretend to be a client of yours and walk inside the building with you. Would it be appropriate for you to take a client to work?”
“Sure. I’m due in to work at ten today.” She glanced down at her clothes. “Could we stop by my apartment first? I can’t go to the office wearing this and my boss would have my ass.”
Brass shrugged. “That would be fine. What would be appropriate for Wrath to wear?”
Wrath sat a plate of warmed scrambled eggs, bacon and toast in front of her. She gave him a smile and picked up her fork. She glanced at Wrath, who took the seat next to her and noticed he had two large steaks on his plate. That was all he had. He didn’t reach for his silverware.
“You may not want to watch him eat,” Shadow suggested softly. “We enjoy our meat barely seared on the outside and raw on the inside. We find it easier to eat with our fingers than with your utensils.”
Lauren glanced at Shadow before purposely smiling at Wrath. “Eat up.”
Wrath shrugged and dug into his food. He grabbed hold of one of the steaks with both hands and bit into it. His dark eyes met hers as he tore a section of the meat off. Lauren wasn’t horrified but she was more than a bit curious. Blood dripped onto the plate and the interior of the steak was raw, red meat. She wasn’t repulsed in the least. She glanced back at Shadow.
“Have you ever seen kids eat? I am from a large family. At least you guys don’t shove peas up your nose and shoot them out.”
Brass laughed. “No. We don’t.”
Shadow laughed. “Did you do that as a child?”
She shook her head. “No. But I used to gross my cousins out by telling them my spaghetti was worms and sucking them up. I was always kind of a tomboy.”
Brass smiled at her and asked, “What should Wrath wear to your job?”
“What are good shoes?” Shadow questioned.
“Real-leather, casual dress shoes would work nicely. Do you happen to have any around?”
“No.” Shadow shrugged his broad shoulders. “We have military boots and running shoes.”
“Military will work. I could tell my boss that Wrath is in the service. We sell homes to them all the time. They always have good credit and the ability to get financing. I don’t suppose you could get your hands on a military uniform of some sort, could you?”
Brass stood. “That we can do.” He left the room.
Shadow continued to watch Wrath. “Brass and I had some time this morning to make plans while we waited for you to come out here.”
Wrath finally looked up from his food to meet his friend’s stare. “Good.”
Shadow and Wrath seemed to be having a stare down as the silence in the room lengthened. Lauren darted her gaze between them, watching their facial expressions change just slightly.
“You two are doing that silent mind communication thing again.”
Wrath turned his head, winked, and gave his full attention on his remaining steak.
“Eat quickly, Lauren,” Shadow ordered softly. “We want to leave here soon since you need to get clothing from your apartment.”
Lauren dug into her food. It wasn’t good but she was starving. Reheated scrambled eggs tasted rubbery, the bacon was greasy and the toast a bit soggy. She ate it all anyway since she wasn’t sure where her next meal would come from. The thought of Brent actually being at work when they arrived wasn’t a good one. Wrath and his friend would grab her coworker and set her free. She wouldn’t have a reason to spend more time with Wrath and that concept left her depressed.
Wrath excused himself to go change his clothing and left her with Shadow at the table. The blond one waited until his friend was out of sight before he spoke.
“He likes you.”
Lauren knew which him he was talking about. Wrath. “I like him too.”
Shadow’s blue eyes were intense and he frowned.
“What?”
