Gregory Star, in case you didn’t know. I’ve been following some of his men. Wanted to follow Mr. Star, but he’s been holed up in the country, not even leaving for work. His employees have been coming to him.”
“Why have you been following Star’s men?” Blue demanded.
“Star’s the one who sold Kitten and Solo to the circus. And I think he’s the one that bombed Mr. Black’s house, because, see, that woman, the one that used to work for him, came to me right before she died and said he’d done it and that he was now after her.”
That woman. The assistant.
How could she have known about Star unless she’d helped set the bomb, as Blue suspected?
When the deed was done, she either experienced remorse, with a need to make things right, or fear, with a need to save her own neck.
Okay. Moving on. “How are you able to use voice compulsion?”
“Oh, that,” Dallas said. “The king of the Arcadians fed me blood to save my life, and now we’re, like, totally bonded. I was happy he did it . . . until I was mad. See, he’s married to the current head of AIR, Mia Snow, and she used to be my partner. She wanted me to live and not die, and she didn’t understand that I’d essentially become the guy’s slave and that he’d know every time I had a fantasy about her.”
Evie rolled her eyes. “Is there anyone you haven’t fantasized about?”
“Prolly not. I dated Pagan long before Blue—did you know that?—and I’d be into a three-way . . . four-way . . . if anyone in this room was agreeable. And maybe we could have meat loaf, mashed potatoes, and black-eyed peas after. I’m kinda hungry. And dirty. I could use a shower. And maybe a new pair of briefs. Wait. I’m not actually wearing any underwear right now.”
Blue cut the agent loose. “Discretion is your friend, Agent Gutierrez. I don’t mind you telling Noelle about me, but I would prefer you not tell others. I’ll just have to kill them. I also would prefer it if you stayed away from Gregory Star. I think he’s the one holding John, and I will massacre anyone who gets in my way.”
“If I had a dollar for every death threat I received, I’d be richer than Miss Hot Pants Black,” Dallas said, rubbing his wrists.
What had Evie put in that truth serum? “You’re on your own getting home. But I suggest you be quick about it, because Star’s men plan to raid the building tonight.”
Dallas remained in the chair and tried to catch a dust mote.
Whatever. Blue wrapped an arm around Evie’s shoulders and led her out of the room. “Up next. The meet- and-greet with Tiffany.”
She stiffened.
Why such a telltale reaction?
Thought he’d sleep with the girl?
He gritted his teeth.
But why would he tell her something like that? They weren’t even in a relationship! And he’d decided not to start one.
“About that,” she said. “Tiff’s a rich girl and grew up around powerful men. If you go about a meeting the usual way, you’re just gonna be more of the same, and easily forgettable.”
He stopped at the door to swipe up the mask. “Are you saying I’m going to strike out?”
“Was I not clear? I thought I was clear. Yes. You’re going to strike out. That’s why I need to go in first and prep her.”
Prep her? “You’ve got to be kidding me, princess.” He tried to fit the mask over her face, but she shook her head.
“You wear it this time.”
A sharp pang scraped at his chest. She was . . . looking out for him. Putting his safety above her own. “No.” He anchored the material in place and again tucked away her hair. “Returning to Project Tiffany Bang Bang. Madam Prude is actually going to help Himbo score?”
Eyes narrowing, she patted his cheek. “First, you’re not going to score. The job doesn’t call for that.”
It didn’t now, he thought darkly. But later . . .
No. He wouldn’t think about that.
“Second, your gratitude is humbling.”
“Well, I’m a spectacularly humble guy.”
Just before they exited the building he thought he heard Dallas call, “Is it too late to get an autograph?”
Evie strode along the busy outdoor shopping strip, hands in her pockets, a bounce in her step. The sun glared hotly, making her sweat, but she didn’t care. At a glance, she doubted her own mother would recognize her. Her dark hair was hidden underneath a short red wig, the strands kinky and straining under a ball cap. Dark aviator glasses wrapped around her eyes. Her stained and threadbare clothing had been purchased at a thrift store.
Finding Tiffany Star had been easier than expected, considering the lengths her father had taken to shield himself. But then, Tiffany was an up-and-coming designer, with a website to display her current clothing line. A little hack job, and
Only five minutes ago, Evie watched Tiffany struggle to find a parking space in the lot. A wave of excitement hit her. Excitement she quickly tamped down. Then, when the girl walked past her at the coffee shop, never glancing in her direction, Evie turned and followed.
Now they snaked a corner. Evie had only to wait for—
That. Blue.
At the end of the newest walkway, a crowd of people surrounded him, each vying for his attention. Tiffany picked up speed, drawing closer to him. . . .
Evie burst into motion, shoving people out of the way. When she reached Tiffany’s side, she grabbed the girl’s briefcase and, as the girl shouted, “Wait! Stop! That’s mine!” she sprinted into one of the shops.
As she ran, she shed the top layer of her disguise—the ball cap, the red wig—and flipped the flannel shirt with half sleeves around, revealing a black business jacket. By the time she stepped through the back door, she looked like a new person entirely.
She walked at a leisurely pace and entered the empty shop at the corner, having already busted the lock. The windows were smoked, not allowing anyone to see inside as she emptied the contents of the briefcase on the floor, searching for anything that might point to John.
Sketches, sketches, and more sketches, but nothing important. Figured. As Evie put the case back together, Blue came through the door. As usual, goose bumps broke out over her skin and her lower belly quivered.
Was she ever going to get used to his power . . . or his appeal?
“Anything?” he asked.
“No.” She tossed the case at him with more force than necessary. Though her aim was off, he leaned to the side and caught it without a hitch. “Now go be a hero and tell her how badly you roughed me up, just to save the day. She’ll be all over you.”
He paused, tensed. “I’m not going to let things go that far.” He stood there for several more beats, just staring over at her as if there were something else he wanted to say. Then he was gone, and she had the strangest desire to call him back.
Or, worse, to say thank you.
Blue gave Tiffany his most charming smile, and she blushed. He almost sighed. He’d never met such a timid little bird, so he wasn’t sure how to deal with her.
At five ten, she was taller than the average woman. She had straight blond hair she liked to hide behind, and pretty green eyes she kept mostly downcast. He wasn’t sure why she lacked confidence. Unless she was embarrassed by her past? He knew she’d been a pretty wild teen, and more than a recreational drug user.
But it looked like she’d gotten her life together. Today she wore a yellow summer dress that screamed pedigree, style, and sophistication. There were no track marks in her arms, and a deep tan made her skin glow.
