Page 66 of Breathless Recruiter

“Honestly, I didn’t think you’d ever figure it out.” He pulled off the goggles, stuffing them in his pocket. “Wyatt Supreme, you don’t know it yet, but you’re the breakthrough I’ve been searching for.”

“I’m not helping you.”

“You already have.”

“Well… stop it.”

“Too late.”

Zaster took a step forward, his chest bumping against mine. His lips turned into a sneer. With a single punch, I could launch him across the city. My strength didn’t faze him. He didn’t seem afraid at all. He made me nervous. Nobody prepared me for this situation.

“You giant, beautiful idiot.” He leaned close enough that I thought he might try to kiss me. That’d be an awkward villain moment. “You are special, indeed.”

His words should have been a compliment, but they made the hair on my neck stand upright. There were no doubts; nothing about this man said heroic. I should have stated that I’d thwart his attempts at villainy. After Titan and the chemical factory, it wouldn’t surprise me if he had lured the sentient trees into the park.

“We’re done here,” I said. I stepped around him and headed toward the building. Walk, Wyatt. Don’t let him see you panic. Easier said than done.

“We’ll be meeting again,” Zaster shouted. It wasn’t quite a cackle, but he was only a few seconds from transforming into a mad scientist.

“I’m sure we will,” I mumbled.

Glancing over my shoulder, he gave a slight wave. We had a villain under our roof, but who did I tell? Arthur was the most logical choice, but how could I let him know his boyfriend hired a bad guy? That’d be an awkward conversation. Drew and Orion? They might know how I could handle it. Maybe I was making a big deal out of nothing? Maybe Zaster would be the first scientist to go down a road of villainy and decide he wanted to be a good guy? Itcouldhappen.

I need to talk to Dustin. I bet he’d have the answer.

“To the best employees a boss could ask for.”

“Weren’t we hired out of desperation?”

Arthur glared at Orion as he held his bottle of beer in the air. Drew stepped in, clanking in celebration. It took a moment before Orion rolled his eyes and joined in the celebration. I followed suit before having a drink of the vile liquid. I didn’t understand humans and their obsession with alcohol. Give me a juice box any day of the week.

We had taken up our usual table across from the bar. It wasn’t as busy, but the bartender moved at a brisk pace. Nobody stood at the bar very long as Mick flipped bottles in the air before popping the caps. It always amazed me to watch his dexterity, not just with the drinks but with how he handled patrons. I wasenvious of the way he moved in and out of conversations with ease.

“You doing okay, buddy?” Arthur gave me a nudge with his elbow. “You’re not your usual self.”

How did I say, “Your boyfriend is hiring bad guys to do who knows what?” Worse yet, I didn’t dare talk about going out and patrolling with a new sidekick without giving away Dustin’s identity. How did I bring up Disaster working for Ricardo without making it awkward or upsetting Arthur? I bit my tongue, keeping it to myself. Humans kept secrets, and I didn’t like it. I didn’t know for a fact, but I wanted to believe that Halorians were an open people. Did my parents speak without sidestepping conversations? This required a talk with the only person on Earth I didn’t have to speak in half-truths. Earth Mom would know what to do.

“It’s that beefcake he’s been hanging out with.”

Janet pulled up a chair, spinning it around and straddling it as she sat at the table. She threw a hand up in the air, signaling to the bartender to make her a drink. Mick slammed the beer on the counter, crossing his arms in disapproval. She got up and snatched it before returning to her seat.

“As I was saying—” She took a swig that nearly drained the glass. “Our friend here has puppy dog feelings for the security guard.”

“Janet,” Arthur said in his serious voice, “what have I told you about joking with Wyatt?”

She reached across the table, snatching his beer out of his hand. “Be nice to the extraterrestrial.” With a single gulp, she finished his bottle. “In all seriousness, I hope you’re tapping that sweet ass. Cause damn, he’s a tall drink of water, and momma’s feeling thirsty.”

Thanks to Janet, I better understood innuendo. I didn’t know if she ever spoke without making Arthur uncomfortable. I wasabout to ask if she learned the trait from her parents when she let out a low whistle. She had turned in her seat, staring at the door to the bar.

“Don’t think I invited the stud for you. When he gets over his fear of lady parts, I’m going to?—”

“Dustin!” I shouted. Shooting to my feet, I inspected my shirt for nacho crumbs. With a quick tug, I ensured my zipper hadn’t fallen. Though, maybe if things went well, he’d be pulling it down later. With every step toward the table, I feared he’d see the growing tent in my pants.

“The weirdest thing happened. A woman left me a voicemail demanding I show, or she’d wreck me. Scary part, I don’t think she meant violence.”

When I glanced over my shoulder, everybody had eyes on Janet. Her tactics might be unconventional, but I mouthed a silent thank you. She held up her empty bottle and shot me a wink as she wandered back to the bar.

“Have a seat,” Drew offered. “We’ve heard all about you. Good things, I promise.”

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