Page 51 of Seductive Architect
“Just remember, you’remysidekick.”
My eyes rolled back. “Fine.”
“Connie, want to go check out that hot receptionist downstairs?”
“I said normal workday.” I heard it as I said the words.
“You’re not the only one hunting for a stud at work. Connie has informed me that he’s single and, gasp, straight. He might be the only available man in the building.”
“Let’s get ‘em, girl.”
Connie walked toward the door, vanishing as she stepped out of reach of the projectors. Janet pulled out her earpiece and slid it into place. “Can you compile a list of his bad habits? I want to know what I’m getting into before I jump him.”
Left alone, I went back to studying the footage of the senator. Hudson had revealed the man’s secret, but now I needed to figure out how that changed the layout of the wall. This wasn’t dealing with an elected official with deep pockets. I had a supervillain with a grudge, and that madehim even more dangerous. Of course, it didn’t help that allies were in short supply.
The Coven. Connie. My allies had been picked off one at a time. All that remained were Janet and Hudson, not exactly the superhero squad I’d choose. Originally, I thought he had been the common link, the one to prove my theory. As I moved the red string in my head, the one thing all these theories had in common wasn’t my deliciously wonderful man friend.
No red strings, just a mirror. Every line led back to one point.
“It’s me,” I gasped. “I’m the link.”
With a fast swipe, the video footage vanished. Every answer produced another question. How were they manipulating my co-workers? How had they gotten to Connie? I had faced off against Prism twice now, and he didn’t strike me as somebody capable of orchestrating an operation this tidy. Perhaps he was only a pawn in this game?
“Who’s in charge?” It’d be the question I’d spend all day pondering.
16
I paced downthe hallway to the door, checked the peephole, and then paced back to the dining room. Half an hour late. I ran through every scenario. Supervillain kidnapping. Likely. Discovered by rogue operatives of a clandestine government agency? Plausible. Abducted by aliens to study our species? Not likely, but I couldn’t rule it out.
Did I lose one of my two remaining allies?
Pounding at the door. They had found me.
“I’m not going down without a fight.” With a flick of the wrist, the new and improved suit rolled along my hand and forearm. Instead of working on the HeroApp™, I spent company time developing new toys. If Prism stood on the other side of the door, I had a new host of gadgets to fight him off. Holding up my hand, I admired the sleek black design. I almost chuckled at the irony that Hole, of all the supers out there, had been the inspiration. I’d have to thank him next time we traded blows.
The palm glowed, ready to mow down whoever they sent to take me in. I’d be worth more to them alive. I also spent half the day scouring the assassin’s database, and so far, nobody had taken out a bounty on my head. Though I wasn’t surprised to see who had a bounty— The door flung open.
“Janet!” My heart thumped. “What the hell?”
She scurried inside, shutting the door. “You should really lock this? You never know what amazing and gorgeous people are going to show up.”
It wasn’t the super soldiers or the senator that unsettled me to where I forgot to lock the door. Of all the elements, my distrust of Connie had rocked my world. It wasn’t just paranoia. Connie knew everything. Every password. Every fear. She knewme.
My suit vanished, nestling itself back into my watch.
“You’re late.”
“Your note—” She threw her hands up in the air. “Who gives directions like that?”
When the locks were secure, I led her into the great room. “What was hard about it? East on 7thAve. West on East Ave. The 17 train to Bellmont and then the 16 to Ward. And then?—”
“Fire escape to the roof?” She jabbed a finger againstmy sternum. “When you had me crawling through the junkyard, I said screw it and got a taxi.”
I paused when I figured out she wore all black. Black jeans. Black turtleneck. She even had on black winter gloves. “This is a meetup. We’re not stealing jewels from the museum.”
She tore off the gloves, throwing them onto the kitchen table. She didn’t hide her irritation as she crossed her arms over her chest. I had never invited somebody from the office to my house. Despite Wyatt’s begging to play video games, I liked having a barrier between my personal and professional life. Kiki would say it was another way for me to keep the people I care about at arm’s length. I wouldn’t argue with her.
“Well?”
