Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1)(37)
Author: Richelle Mead

This seemed to amuse Leo more than anything else he’d heard today. “I thought the prætorian was your backup.”

Justin realized then that he’d been an idiot. Tessa had jumped onto what he’d missed. He was always so proud of being able to get to the heart of people. He’d tried wooing Leo with money and glamour, but people like Leo didn’t become experts in their fields just because of those things. Justin had seen Leo stay up all night trying to solve the unsolvable. He had a passion for what he did, and despite Leo’s idyllic claims, even Justin knew contraception was boring work.

Justin suddenly felt back in control. “She’s right. No one can figure it out, and we’ve had every agency looking at it.” A gleam of interest showed in Leo’s eyes. “You don’t even have to leave your love nest, unless you need some Internal Security resources. Then, hey, you guys can have a romantic getaway in the big city.”

“I don’t like going to the city,” interjected Dominic. His eyes narrowed. “Any city.”

“Fine,” said Justin, trying hard not to show his exasperation. He couldn’t imagine what had brought this match about. Dominic’s wine probably tasted like shit. “You just come, Leo. We’ll close out the Silver Spike like we did in the old days.”

Leo didn’t answer, but Justin could tell he’d finally gotten through. Leo still had an easy smile on his face, but his interest had been piqued. No one can figure it out. Leo couldn’t resist that. There was nothing to do now but wait. Justin had played all his cards, and it was time to see if he’d won the jackpot.

“Okay,” Leo said at last. Dominic groaned. Or maybe it was a growl. It was hard to say. “I’m in. I’ll help you out. When can I see this mind-blowing case?”

Justin stood up and patted the briefcase. “Right now. I’ve got it all here.”

Leo shot Dominic one last hesitant look and then rose as well. “Let’s get some lunch first since you’ve come all this way. Then we’ll get down to business. I can’t wait for you to try Dom’s Pinot Noir.”

Happy that he’d gotten his way, Justin gladly put back on his sunny, sociable persona. “I’m sure I’ve never tasted anything like it.”

Afterward, Justin had to admit the wine wasn’t that bad, but it also wasn’t good. It wouldn’t win any awards unless Dominic figured out a way to export it to the provinces.

After lunch, Justin and Mae went with Leo to his workshop to go over the video away from Tessa and Dominic. Justin was relieved that Leo actually had a workshop, one filled with all sorts of half-completed projects. It meant the old Leo hadn’t entirely disappeared.

He didn’t look thrilled to have Mae with them, but he forgot all about her when the video ran. As soon as it ended, he had the same reaction as Justin. “It’s fake.”

“That’s what I said. But they say they can’t prove it.”

“What else could it be?” asked Leo. If he’d had any doubts about taking this on, they’d vanished. He was hooked.

“That’s for your brilliant mind to uncover. Mine’s going to work on the rest of this mess.”

He left Leo all the other information on the case, as well as a warning to protect the camera and original footage. “It’s my ass if something happens to it. You’re lucky I trust you, or I’d never leave it with someone unauthorized.”

Leo grinned. “That’s the nice thing about living in the wilderness. No one’s going to come snooping around.”

On the train ride back, Tessa surprised Justin by telling him how she and Dominic had apparently become best friends while everyone else was in the lab.

“He’s not bad at all once you talk to him,” she said. “He’s a Gemman citizen but was raised in one of the provinces, so he kind of understood what I’m going through.”

Dominic was partially provincial? That explained a lot. “I’m just glad he doesn’t seem to ever leave that house,” Justin noted. “He’d probably hunt me down otherwise, and who knows if my gallant protection would come through.”

Mae, who’d been gazing out the window, glanced back. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because you didn’t do anything when my sister tried to knock me out.”

“You’re still alive, aren’t you?” She returned to the window.

Tessa had tried a glass of the wine, and it had made her sleepy. She opened her eyes and turned toward Justin. “Dominic wasn’t unfriendly when we first got there. He was just shy. Or, well, socially awkward, I guess. He didn’t get unfriendly until you told him Mae was a prætorian.”

Justin thought back on the afternoon. “No, Dominic had it in for me from the moment I walked in the door. You heard what Leo said—he’d told him all about me.”

Tessa shook her head. “You’re wrong.” Yes, Tessa was definitely getting more defiant.

Because she contradicts you? scoffed Horatio. Such audacity!

“Hey, I’m the master here,” Justin told her. “You’re the apprentice.”

“The master was too appalled to be out in the ‘wilderness’ to notice,” Tessa retorted. “I’m telling you, I’m right.”

“Next time I’m leaving you home,” he said, wondering if he really was slipping.

CHAPTER 11

LICENSE TO WORSHIP

Although meeting Justin’s alleged technical genius had been interesting, Mae was eager to get to the heart of this mission they’d been assigned. She craved action, and even if this wasn’t a typical prætorian assignment, there was still justice to be served for the greater good of her country. She didn’t entirely know what Justin’s methods were, save that they would eventually be investigating suspect and possibly dangerous groups. That sounded promising.

Her disdain for Justin hadn’t changed. It was obvious to her he was high each morning, and she had no respect for anyone with that kind of dependence. His dependence on women was equally obvious. Women noticed him, and he noticed women. A few witty words…and they were hooked, freely giving away numbers and promises of future dates. It constantly reminded Mae of her own foolishness.

And yet, despite his bad habits, he’d occasionally show those flashes of brilliance that Francis had lauded. Justin latched on to small details, able to make astonishing deductions she never could’ve fathomed. His dedication to their case was fierce, and when he spoke of it and explained the psychology of religious groups to her, she couldn’t help but be fascinated.