Chapter 28

The diamond stud earrings Tracy had let me borrow glimmered back at me from the mirror as I pulled my hair back into a sleek, tight bun. I put a layer of hair gel in place so it wouldn’t turn into a frizzy mess later. My new black slacks hung just right, the tailored black shirt looked professional, and the bracelet Geoffrey had given me finished off the polished look.

It was exactly what Ashleigh had asked for.

“I look pretty good,” I said to myself in shock as I stuck my black high-tops into my pack, just in case the high heels Pepper had loaned me didn’t work out.

You always look good. His voice melted across the link, his eyes just a shade darker than normal.

“You’re a little biased, though,” I said, turning to greet him.

“Guilty as charged, madam.” He smiled and took my hand as I turned, grabbing my pack and keys.

The low thudding of a bass line echoed through the wall from Chase’s apartment. I could feel the irritation he didn’t try to hide. “It’s a free country. He can play whatever he likes.”

“True, but must we all have to hear it? I do believe that is why headphones were invented.”

“Ignore it,” I teased as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me toward him. He nibbled on my ear, and his thoughts through the link turned calculating.

Might I suggest an alternate choice for that? He inclined his head toward the wall.

Without rolling my eyes I gave him a chance to finish his thought. “What is it?”

“We have more than enough room at home. And you know Andrew would love to cook even more…”

“I’m sure he would,” I quipped back as we headed out the door. I knew where he was going, but I wasn’t ready for it. “How about the others? What will they think?”

“Tracy and Pepper would love it. They tend to feel outnumbered at times, I believe.”

“Oh, do they?”

“Oh, yes. But they’d never dream of bringing it up.”

“Of course not,” I said as he opened the car door and helped me in. I waited until he got in and started the car before I finished. “And you?”

“Me? Of course I’d love having you there with me—but it’s not my decision. It was only a suggestion.” He brushed it off, but I knew better.

“Just a suggestion, eh? All right, I’ll take it under consideration, then.” I leaned my elbows on my knees as he wove in and out of traffic, made easier by the recent rain that had melted the last of the Christmas snow. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t already thought about it, though. Moving in with Geoffrey was the obvious next step, but I still had some doubts—not for him, of course, but for my own privacy and space. I was never one to have others around all the time.

His fingers lingered on my leg as we drove, and I caught myself watching him shift and brake. May I try something? I asked silently.

Of course.

I reached across the link to see the world through his eyes. The shifting of gears and the different vibrations with each gear was a bit disorienting at first, but within moments each sequence began making sense as he shifted down and around the corners. I could feel the acceleration as his feet worked between the pedals and clutch. His senses could take in many more details of movement than my own. Each passerby—the cyclist huffing and puffing up the incline, the downshifting sounds of the delivery truck next to us…

I faded back into my own mind as he turned into the alley. “That was weird… but in a good way,” I said, stepping out into the soft drizzle.

“You’re welcome—I think.” He shook his head, seeming confused. He tried to play it off, but I was already asking.

“You all right?”

“Yes. I’m just not accustomed to… sharing experiences in the present. That’s the best way I can explain it.”

“Um, sorry then.”

“You didn’t do anything.” He kissed me gently. “We’re learning together.”

We walked into The Stage and found a high-tech expo taking over. Demo stations were set up at different intervals around the entire club, and the tables, which were all covered in black fabric, were already pulsating under the lights.

“My goodness—twenty-first century, here we come,” he said, eyeing the hand-held scanners lined up at the entry. One of the reps from Ravens, Inc. was going over last-minute glitches.

“Each invitee has a microchip embedded under the skin here,” the well-dressed geek explained. He pointed it at his own wrist, bringing up a barcode and his picture on the monitor. He showed the doorman how to handle it, then moved onto the other security personnel.

Microchipping people like they were pets seemed creepy to me, though they seemed to think it was great. We left them to their security checks.

I spotted Ian behind the bar stocking up. “I’ll catch up with you later, ’kay?” I kissed Geoffrey’s cheek.

Until then, he said as he went to find the others.

“Ian?”

He looked up in the middle of pouring of some concoction. “Hey, Meg.” His voice was drawn, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

“How ya doin’?” I asked, though I could already tell he still wasn’t a hundred percent.

“I’m good.” He shrugged his shoulders.

I wrapped my black apron around me. “Ready for tonight?”

“Yeah, I guess. But this outfit—” he gestured to the long sleeves, “is gonna kill me. I’m already burning up. Good thing it’s only for tonight.”

“You got plans after work?” I asked, grabbing my own stock for upstairs.

“Yeah, we’re hitting a party on Lake Union.” He glazed over the “we” part.

“We?” I pressed softly.

“Ah… yeah… um,” he fumbled, clearly not used to talking about his boyfriend.

“So, what’s the lucky guy’s name?” I asked with a cheeky smile, trying to put him at ease. His eyes brightened at my question.

“Jason.” A smile spread across his cheeks.

“Jason? Cool. Will I get to meet him?”

“You probably already have.” A sneaky grin appeared.

I raised my eyebrows in question.

“He’s been coming in for a while.”

“Oh. What does he look like?”

“About five-ten, dark curly hair, and a great smile.”

“Wait! Is he the really cute Italian guy with the diamond stud earrings? Orders a Virgin Bloody Mary?” I’d seen him around a lot, but I hadn’t put ­two and two together until now.

“Yep, that’s him.” The smile kept growing.

“Good taste.” I punched his shoulder. “He’d better treat you right or he’ll have to answer to me, understand?” I joked.

“Oh, he does! Trust me.” His cheeks were getting a bit rosy.

“Well, gotta go,” I said, turning. “Good luck tonight.”

“You too—and thanks.”

“For?”

“Thanks for just asking.”

“We’re cool.” I winked and headed out.

Ash caught up with me as I started my rounds. “My, don’t you clean up well,” she said, eyeing my get-up.

“Well, don’t get used to it. I brought my high-tops. My feet will be barking your name tomorrow.” Before she could ask about my holiday I threw her the first question. “So how was Christmas? And Luke?”

“Just absolutely fabulous,” she gushed, then proceeded to spill the story with extra speed. She at least spared me the more intimate parts; I really didn’t need to know about her and Luke’s “fun.” She glanced at her Gucci watch, which tipped me off that it was close to opening. Soon we’d be flooded with mucky-mucks of the tech world. “Remember to tell the other girls this is an open bar event. Ravens, Inc. is picking up the entire tab, drinks and all.”

Just then, one of the dozen or so caterers paged her downstairs. “Oh—gotta go. They got the wrong size prawns.” I was glad I wouldn’t be on the receiving end of that strangling. She pecked my cheek, then turned a perfect pirouette in her stilettos.

It didn’t take long before the entire place was crawling with the upper crust of the computer crowd. Black ties and formal gowns were everywhere. Geoffrey’s music kept the crowd moving, yet never overpowered conversation.

Champagne was flowing through the club when the CEO of Ravens, Inc. took center stage around eleven-thirty. Geoffrey found me while the CEO enlightened the crowd about this new gadget and this new app.

“How’s your night?” he asked, nuzzling my neck. His arms cooled me off, since I was way too warm.

“Good. But these shoes!” I’d kicked one off, trying to get the circulation
moving again.

“No headache?”

“No, not so far,” I said, squishing my toes back into the stilettos.

“Good.”

I turned to look at him, a slight grin hanging on his mouth. What?

Nothing. Just enjoying the view. He glanced down; I followed his eyes.

“Oh, crap!” I said loud enough that a few heads turned toward me. I quickly turned away, redoing the top two buttons that had sprung open to expose my one black lacy bra. I shot him a look. Why didn’t you tell me?

And spoil my view? He kissed my now frantic hands. Easy now, it just happened.

Still. My entire face now bright red.

The CEO was wrapping things up when Geoffrey’s head jerked to the side. His eyes went wide as they swept the crowd, and the link blistered with anger and
menace. His senses revved into high gear.

What’s going on? I asked across the link.

He didn’t answer me, but spoke out to the others. “Mitch, Robert—our exit. NOW!” No matter where they were I knew they’d hear him. “Tracy, locate them and redirect, if you can.”

Redirect? What’s happening? I pushed on the link.

He took my face into his hands and explained in quick bursts. “Ravens, Inc. is a cover. They’re here. The Inner Circle. They’ve sent a dispatch and they’re already inside. You must leave now!”