– 43 –
While the security guards handcuff Tommy’s group, I glance at his body sprawled on the floor.
I saw a bit of gore when I was at the hospital, so I’m a little less squeamish than I used to be. Still, seeing brains on the floor isn’t easy.
Adam takes one look and practically swoons. Aislin holds him up and gives me a look.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t focus on physical bravery all that much,” I admit. “But he’ll be kind and nice and gentle.”
“Could be worse,” Aislin says.
“We still need to deal with the Maddox mess,” I say.
“I’m going to need this carpet replaced,” my mother mutters. “Kashmir silk, hand-knotted. What a waste.”
“Maybe now’s not the best time,” Aislin whispers.
“First things first: Solo,” I say.
“I know where they must have him,” my mother says.
She leads the way—because she always leads the way—and Aislin and Adam and I fall into step behind her.
The room is dark. My mother flicks several switches, and there he is, floating in the tank Adam had once occupied.
“Solo,” I whisper.
He’s fully clothed, obviously unconscious, tangled in a web of wires.
My mother checks a glowing monitor.
“The readouts show heartbeat and brain activity all normal,” she reports. “He’s alive. We can decant him.”
“Thank God,” I say.
“I used to live here,” Adam tells Aislin in a chirpy voice.
She pats his arm. “I know, sweetie.”
My mother has her hand on a lever. “You know, Evening,” she says, a gleam in her eye, “this would be an opportunity to… tweak.”
Aislin rubs her palms together. “He’s all hooked up. You could make some minor changes. Right?”
“Psychological,” my mother suggests.
“Physical,” Aislin says. “You know. In the name of science and all.”
“With just a few hours and a few adjustments, you could make him more agreeable,” my mother points out. “Men can be so… uncooperative.”
I shake my head. “Let’s get him out. Now.”
“Last chance,” my mother offers. “You know how picky you can be.”
“Now.”
It takes an hour to get Solo out and detached. He doesn’t wake up until we have him returned to his room. He’s covered in a clear viscous goo from the vat.
I place a blanket over him, just as his quite beautiful eyes flutter open.
“I’m alive,” he observes.
“Yes. You seem to be,” I say.
His eyes go to my mother and they widen in fear. Then he looks away. “Damn.”
“Yes,” my mother says dryly. “I’m still here.”
“Not what I meant,” he says in a subdued voice. “I…”
“You set out to destroy me,” Mom says.
“I didn’t,” he says simply. “I was ready to. I could have.”
I say, “Why didn’t you?”
He shrugs. “It wasn’t just her and me anymore. It was you, too. I could take her down. Not you.”
“Sweet,” my mother says in the voice she uses when she wants to make you hide in a corner.
“Tommy told me about my folks,” Solo says. “I didn’t know all that. I didn’t know what they did, who they were. I thought… well, I thought you were just a ruthless, amoral, manipulative, cold bitch.”
Mom nods. “Yes. All that’s true.”
“Okay, then,” Solo says uncertainly.
Poor Solo. I think he’s half-expecting one of those heartwarming TV moments. Wrong crowd for that.
Solo looks over at Aislin. He smiles.
Then he notices Adam.
“Oh my God.” Solo blinks. “It’s you.”
“I am Adam,” Adam says. “Adam Allbright.”
Solo turns his gaze to me. “So. Your perfect guy.”
I shrug. “Yeah, well, perfect isn’t quite right for me.”
“Seriously?” He’s incredulous. He looks over at Adam again. “I mean, damn, Eve. Dude is amazing.”
“I’m going for slightly less than amazing.”
I am trying desperately to be as romantic as I can be with my mother in the room. Solo is, of course, screwing it up.
“But look at him!” Solo urges. “I’m totally straight and I’d do him.”
“Thanks,” Adam says.
“You want me over him?” Solo asks. “Are you nuts?”
“Apparently,” I say.
“I am too perfect for Evening,” Adam volunteers. “But that’s all right.” He smiles shyly at Aislin. “I am not too perfect for Aislin.”
Solo struggles to sit up. He’s woozy. I join him on the bed and help him sit up. This involves putting an arm around his back. I brush his damp hair out of his eyes.
His back isn’t as nice as Adam’s. His hair isn’t as nice, either.
But I remember kissing Adam. And I remember kissing Solo. And I know which one I want to do again.
Well, okay, both. But more Solo.
Solo gazes at me. He has amazing eyes. The same heart-stopping blue as Adam’s.
But there’s something in Solo’s eyes that I just couldn’t find in Adam’s.
“Would it be okay if I tried sketching you sometime soon?” I ask.
“Would it be okay if I tried kissing you sometime soon?” Solo asks.
“You’re all covered with that goo medium from the vat,” I point out. “You need a shower.”
“Good point.” Solo traces an index finger along my wrist.
I glance over my shoulder and realize that my mother, Adam, and Aislin have all slipped out of the room.
We’re alone.
“I can get you to the shower. After that you’re on your own,” I say.
He takes one weak hand and wipes the goo from it on my hair. “Now you need a shower, too.” He tries out a suggestive look.
“Oh please: You’re weak as a kitten,” I say.
He kisses me and I kiss him back, goo and all. Then I remember that Solo recovers very quickly.
So I walk him to the shower.
Colophon
