Twice as Hot (Tales of an Extraordinary Girl #2)(35)
Author: Gena Showalter

"Wh-what are you doing?" she asked.

"Giving you a hug." Slowly, so I wouldn’t startle her, I leaned my head into her chest, my shoulder into her middle.

Her eyes widened the closer I came. "You could be hurt. Something bad could happen to you and I wouldn’t – I – "

She didn’t tell me to stop, I noticed, and that was more telling than she probably realized. I wrapped my arms around her and pressed my cheek just above her breast, heard her heart pound as if it wanted to beat its way out.

A tremor moved through her, shaking us both. I think a teardrop even splashed atop my hair.

I held on to her for a long while. Finally, her arms reached around me, tentative at first, then squeezing tight. "Why are you doing this?" she whispered, the words broken.

"Because no one should have to endure the things you’ve endured. Because I hate that you can’t be touched. Because you deserve better." I wanted to absorb all of that pain inside myself, take it away from her and show her just how precious and wonderful life could be.

A hand suddenly patted my back and I turned slightly, seeing Tanner kneel behind Elaine. His arms wrapped around her, too, but had to slide around me to make contact. That’s when the flood of tears came, no mere trickle, not anymore.

We held her through it all. I didn’t care what I looked like, didn’t care that Rome saw me this way rather than as a badass agent who beat the crap out of "subjects" for answers.

When she quieted, I pulled back but Tanner held on, his hands flat on her stomach. I think he needed the contact as much as she did, because there were tears in his eyes, as well. Perhaps Elaine was somehow absorbing the pain Lexis had caused in him.

I swallowed the hard lump in my throat as Elaine gripped his wrists, holding him to her.

Then her gaze lifted and clashed with mine. "I may not have met Desert Gal, but I know that she wants you," she told me quietly.

Me? I hadn’t challenged her yet. Not really. "For what?"

"I’m not sure, exactly. I overheard Candace tell Tobin that PSI would be rescuing us soon, and he would get a fat reward from Desert Gall if he brought you in." I’d been right. Some of the "victims" were plants. So many pieces were falling into place, and soon the puzzle would be complete. I was more excited than I’d been in a long time. The excitement was blended with fear, though. Desert Gall was after me, yet my powers were wonky and my filter a stubborn shithead. Tamp down both emotions before you summon wind.

"Any idea where Desert Gall is?" I asked.

"I wish. I’d like to shove my foot up her ass."

"Me, too," Tanner and I said in unison.

Elaine nibbled on her bottom lip, dropped her gaze again. Her gloved fingertips traced Tanner’s arm, and she watched the movements as though mesmerized. "Wh-what are you going to do with me?"

"We’ll take care of your food requests and iPod as promised, that much I know," Tanner said and released her. "The rest, I’m sad to say, is up to our boss." A little whimper escaped her lips, but she didn’t ask him to touch her again.

The cell I’d hooked to my waist started buzzing. I reached for it, saying, "For now, I’m going to have Tanner take you to – "

The rap on the window was harder than ever.

"To my house," I finished determinedly. Bringing her there was a risk, but I couldn’t have her thrown back into some dank cell. I just couldn’t. "You might have to go to lockup for a little while first, though.

And as Tanner said, we’ve got to talk to my boss, convince him of the wisdom of my plan." Hope had been blooming in her expression, but it quickly died. "Hey, don’t worry about it." She laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. "I’m used to cells like the one here and we both know he’s not going to allow me to leave."

I threw a glare over my shoulder, hopefully pinning Rome with my anger. "We are not like Vincent. We are not cruel. And if you were my daughter, I would never allow such a thing to be done to you." I knew the remark would hit its target. Because Sunny, Rome’s daughter, could mist through walls, Rome feared PSI – or some other agency – would one day try to use her.

Tanner pushed to his feet and squeezed Elaine’s shoulder. "When Belle puts her mind to something, it gets done. Don’t worry."

Slowly a smile curled the corners of Elaine’s lush pink mouth, and she angled her head up to him adoringly. "Thank you."

He returned her grin, even reached up and caressed a fingertip over her cheek. "My pl – " Immediately she lost her smile.

He did, too. His knees gave out and he crumpled to the ground in a motionless heap.

Chapter Eleven

I spent the rest of the dayand night glued to Tanner’s side, trying to hold myself together. Maybe Rome, Lexis and John met to discuss the Desert Gal/M-Squared case at lunch, maybe they didn’t. I didn’t particularly care. I had only one concern right now. Tanner. And I refused to leave him.

So far, he hadn’t even twitched. At least he was now breathing on his own, which was a big improvement from a mere hour earlier.

Cody had called me a few times, but I’d been too focused on remaining calm to pick up. If my emotions overtook me, I’d have to leave. The room, the building. Because I couldn’t risk hurting Tanner further.

"Gonna stay here another day?"

The question came from behind me. I didn’t turn, even though a warm flutter started in my belly and spread to my heart. Rome. I hadn’t allowed myself to think of him, hadn’t allowed myself to wonder what he was doing and who he was doing it with while I’d been here. "However long it takes." Rome had come rushing into the room the moment Tanner had fallen. Without a word, he’d scooped him up and carried him to the medical wing of the building. If he hadn’t been there, I would have broken down, would have floundered, lost, not knowing what to do.

Tanner and I might not be blood-related, but he was my brother in every way that counted. I needed him.

"Is he…okay?"

The question came from Lexis, soft, hesitant.

I straightened as if I’d been jolted with lightning, but still I didn’t turn. Seeing Lexis pretend to care might unleash a fury so potent, so alive, the small tether I had on my control would be severed. "Get out of here. Now!" My fingers curled around the bedrail, knuckles leaching of color. "You have no right to come near him. No right to upset him again. "

Silence. Footsteps.

"She’s gone," Rome said. "You shouldn’t have chastised her, Belle. She’s worried about Tanner, too.

And by the way, you look like hell. Even in that skirt."

Finally I turned. I couldn’t help myself. He was indeed alone, leaning against the door frame the same way Tanner liked to do. Actually, Tanner had picked up the action from him. To emulate him, I think.