"Don't torture yourself this way. You did what you could."

"What was her name?" I insisted.

"Amy," he supplied, reluctance heavy in his tone. "Amy Evens."

Amy Evens. She'd been young, probably no more than twenty-five, with pretty blond hair and wide blue eyes. Like every young woman, she'd probably dreamed of love and a happily ever after, yet she'd been raped, abused, and had died alone.

My disgust and hate for EenLi grew in intensity, but most of all, my disgust for myself grew. I was to protect the innocent; that was part of my job. I closed my eyes, hoping to block the images hovering there, images of both women alive and chained to the wall, neither knowing Death had knocked on her door. I'd failed in every way there was to fail. I had failed to kill my target; I hadn't even managed to save one human life.

These wounds of mine...I deserved every one of them and more. A resolution to make it right solidified within me. "What do we do now?" I asked, once again facing Michael.

"My guess is EenLi's still in New Dallas, putting together another crew. I want you to go there, find him, find those d.a.m.n portals, and finish your job."

A moment pa.s.sed before his words sunk deep enough inside me that I was able to respond. Shocked, I said, "You're letting me have another shot?"

"You know his MO better than anyone. You know his habits; you've studied him. Plus, I know you. You'll want a chance to fix this, and I love you enough that I want to give it to you."

"I-" I pressed my lips together. The fact that Michael trusted me enough to right my wrongs propelled a thrill of pride and happiness through me, and I had trouble finding the words to express my grat.i.tude. I guess I'd a.s.sumed his protective instincts would surface, and he would command me to stay behind.

I truly loved this man.

"Do you think any of your agents are secretly working with EenLi?" I asked. "That would explain how EenLi knew to trade places with Mris-ste."

"I already have a man on it, so don't worry about it."

I nodded. "Thank you for giving me another chance," I said, allowing all of my appreciation to seep through my voice. "I know I don't deserve it. I'm not going to let you down."

"Don't thank me yet," he said wryly. "You'll be working with a partner."

What? "Absolutely not." Shock quickly replaced all of my happiness, and I jolted upright, winced, and glared over at him. "I work alone. Always."

"Not this time," he said, resolute. Final.

"I'm perfectly capable of finding the portals and killing EenLi on my own." Ineeded to do it on my own. I couldn't allow someone else to fix what I had created.

He crossed his arms over his chest and stared over at me. "Then why isn't he dead?"

That was entirely beside the point-even though he was right. "I will not work with one of your agents."

"Yes," he said calmly, a.s.suredly, "you will. Lucius," he called without removing his gaze from me. "Come meet your new partner."

As if the man had been standing behind the entrance, guarding it, the thick metal doors instantly slid open. He strode stealthily inside, not emitting a single noise: not the swish of clothing, the plod of footsteps, or the rhythm of breath. He was as human as Michael, but where my boss was lean, this man was solid muscle. Where Michael was average height, this man was tall. Where Michael was aging, this man was all vitality.

He stopped at the foot of my bed. The scent of pine soap and sheer maleness wafted from him. He wasn't near enough to touch, but I could feel the warmth of his skin, beckoning me, lulling me. That warmth, that scent...I recognized them. A moment pa.s.sed, and I sucked in a breath.

Hewas the one who had carried me.He was the one who had given me sugar water last night.He was the one who had stripped away my clothing. My stomach knotted at the thought of his hands on me, undressing me, seeing my naked flesh. A shiver of awareness fired down my spine.

His lips were soft and lush, as pink as flower petals. The rest of his features, however, were granite hard, boasting deliciously rough planes and harsh angles. Cheekbones carved from stone. A nose sculpted from steel. Black eyebrows slashed over his eyes, eyes so blue they could only have been created from ice chips, regarding the world with an I've-seen-it-all acerbity. Right now those eyes bore down at me, into me.

He wore a tight black T-shirt, the same inky color as his chopped hair and form-fitting jeans. Simply standing there, he exuded a masculine intensity that shouted,I'll f.u.c.k you or kill you-take your pick.

I suddenly felt vulnerable. Exposed. It didn't matter that I was covered by clothes and a sheet. I was lying in a bed; I was injured. And he knew what I looked like naked. More than that, I was not operating at full strength and probably resembled a sick tabby kitten, mussed and disheveled.

I forced a cool facade, hoping I exuded regal composure. I didn't know this man, and I didn't want him seeing me as anything less than controlled.

"Have you ever killed anyone, Sparkie?" I asked, hoping to put him on the defensive. He'd take over if I let him.

Not a glimmer of emotion lit his features. He remained in place, silent, unconcerned. Distant.

With a conscious effort, I tore my gaze from him and attempted to ignore his very existence. "I don't need or want a partner," I told Michael.

"Tough," he said, his expression hard.

"I work alone," I said again, my tone colder than ever before. I was surprised ice chips didn't form from my breath.

"Not anymore," he replied again.

"I will not-"

"Your protests will change nothing, sweetie. I want you to work with Lucius, and so you will. That's an order."

"He'll get in my way."

"He knows what he's doing."

"I doubt that. Men like him are all brawn and no brain. How can I do my job if I have to watch his back too?"

The man finally deigned to speak.

"Listen,cookie ," he said, his voice rough, low, as if his vocal cords had once been damaged. "The day I need you to save my a.s.s is the day I'll find myself a new job. Maybe cloning flowers. Maybe walking robotic dogs. I'll decide when the time comes. Until then, you take care of yourself, and I'll take care of me."

With that, he exited the room as quickly and silently as he'd entered.

The moment the door clicked shut, I pinned Michael with a fierce stare. "Did he just call me 'cookie'?"

Michael's lips twitched, and amus.e.m.e.nt turned his hazel eyes to a bright, vivid green. "You deserved it after that 'all brawn and no brain' crack."

"How can you expect me to work with that man?"

The twitching became a full-blown smile. "Consider it penance for your sins."

I didn't let his amus.e.m.e.nt soften me, though I did love to see him happy. "I'll tell you one more time, Michael. I don't need a partner."Let me do this , I silently beseeched.

Something deep and dark flashed across his features. "You'll work with him, or you'll work for another agency. Understand?"

He meant it. Michael never threatened. Only promised. And with it put like that, I couldn't refuse. I nodded stiffly. My hands fisted at my sides, but resolve slowly moved through me. "Can he do anything besides look pretty?" And tough.

"I guess you'll just have to wait and find out."

"That's comforting, Michael. Very comforting." I knew Michael, knew when he was turning stubborn. Anything I learned about Lucius, I'd have to learn on my own.

He sighed. "If you're on edge with him, you're less likely to make mistakes with him."

How wonderful to hand out little gems of wisdom at a time like this. Thanks. For nothing. "Any other bits of ingenious ramblings you want to toss my way before I kick you out and get some rest?"

"Yeah." He chuckled. He always liked when I reverted to my old spoiled-princess ways. "I want you operating at full capacity in three days. Otherwise, I'll let Lucius have the mission all to himself."

He left me alone then. With his parting words, he had sealed my fate. I'd be back in fighting shape withintwo days and not a moment more. Whether it was feminine pride or simple arrogance, I would not let Lucius have this mission for himself.

I still had something to prove. More now than ever.

I would not be a failure. Not again.

"'Cookie,' my a.s.s," I muttered.

Chapter.

3.

Later that night I forced myself out of bed. My muscles screamed in protest, but I managed to stay upright. The white T-shirt I wore hit my knees, leaving the rest of my golden legs bare. Darkness and moonlight mingled together, offering a hazy coc.o.o.n. Only silence touched the air. The rest of the house slept peacefully.

My movements slow and halting, I maneuvered down the mahogany staircase and into Michael's office. I loved this room, with its intricately carved desk, the high shelves filled with real books-not the holobooks sold in stores-and the fresh scent of leather. I traced my fingertip over the world globe, over the maps of the universe lining the walls. Over the chessboard. Michael and I had spent many nights in this room, talking and laughing. Strategizing.

No time for reminiscing, girl. Get to work.I plopped into the plush chair behind the desk. After bypa.s.sing his ID scans and voice-activated computer-just like he'd taught me-I searched for a file on Lucius Adaire.

All information had been permanently deleted. I wasn't surprised. Michael didn't want me to know about Lucius, so of course he'd removed every piece of information. Smart man, my father.

Frustrated and overtaxed, I slipped back inside my room. I needed a few hours sleep before morning arrived. Just before I reached the four-poster bed, however, I stilled. I was not alone. I sensed heat, smelled pine.

My eyes narrowed on my uninvited guest. Looking casual and unconcerned, Lucius lounged in the padded chair beside the bed. I scowled over at him.

"Find anything?" he asked smugly, as if he knew what I'd been doing.

I didn't bother answering him. I climbed onto the bed, the mattress adjusting to my weight, and closed my eyes, though I remained alert. The covers were warm and soft, a soothing caress against my skin.

"What do you think you're doing?" he demanded.

"Sleeping. You're welcome to stay and watch like the pervert I'm sure you are."

"I don't think so. Get up." Leaning toward me, he reached out and shook my shoulders none too gently. "Get dressed. We train."

A man of few words. How quaint. "You want to pretend to be my physical therapist and give me a ma.s.sage, I'll let you touch my shoulders. Other than that, keep your hands to yourself. Got it?"

"Not a morning person?"

"I'll let you know in the morning. For now, I'm resting. Get out."

"Are you always this b.i.t.c.hy?"

I didn't take time to find my calm center. I simply came up swinging, jerking myself into a sitting position and letting my fist fly. I nailed him in the jaw. His chin didn't even turn, but I winced on impact. His bones were more solid than steel, and I wasn't at optimum strength.

Had he had enough time to stop me completely? Probably. Had he had enough time to move away? Most a.s.suredly. My movements were slower than usual, my reflexes dulled.

A glimmer of humor lit his eyes, making the blue appear almost purple. "Get your a.s.s out of bed. In the shape you're in, other-worlders will eliminateyou, not the other way around. I'll meet you in the bas.e.m.e.nt gym in half an hour."

"Get out of my room."

"Half an hour," he said. "Don't be late."

When I heard the doors close, I forced myself out of bed. I felt sorer now than I had been five minutes ago. I blamed Lucius, of course. But d.a.m.n if I didn't look forward to training with him. I loved a challenge. In my current state, I probably couldn't beat him. I could do a lot of damage, though, I thought, grinning.

I saturated my wounds with a cyanoacrylate adhesive-a superglue for injuries-and took a lingering shower, luxuriating in the steaming, rose-scented liquid. Most people had to bathe with dry enzyme and glyceride spray. Michael could afford water, thank G.o.d. Showering was almost a hobby of mine.

I'd been told Raka was a planet with more water than land. Perhaps bathing was something all Rakas enjoyed. If my parents had survived their night of terror, I could have asked them. Would have given anything to ask them. A pang of remorse hit me, just as it always did when I thought of my parents. I missed them terribly.

When I climbed out of the tub, I felt more limber, less awkward. I glanced at the wall clock. Three forty-five. I couldn't help but smile. Thirty-threeminutes had pa.s.sed since Lucius had ordered me to be in the gym. I imagined him pacing, waiting impatiently for me.

Reaching up, and experiencing only a slight twinge in my side, I secured the length of my gold hair from my face and rummaged through a dresser filled with clothes. In all of his homes, Michael kept a room and wardrobe just for me. I donned a red sports bra and matching spandex shorts.

My stomach growled. I'd had nothing more substantial than sugar water in days. As I entered the kitchen, the smooth, marble tile was cold against my bare feet. Real coffee, not the synthetic blend, simmered in the silver pot sitting on the platinum countertop, saturating the air with a thick, caffeinated aroma. I wrinkled my nose in distaste. How anyone could drink that c.r.a.p, I didn't know.

With the press of a few b.u.t.tons, a turkey sandwich slid onto the counter hatch. I sprinkled it with sugar and managed to eat half before my stomach protested.

Forty-nine minutes had pa.s.sed.

I finally sauntered my way into the bas.e.m.e.nt gym. I was grinning.

Lucius was there, pounding away at the punching bag, looking s.e.xy as h.e.l.l. How annoying. With his irritating personality, he should be ugly. Hideous. His bronzed skin stretched taut over muscles and sinew. Several scars laced his ribcage. Sweat glistened and traced small rivulets down his bare chest and back, catching in the waist of his black shorts. He didn't spare me a glance.

I spent the next two hours stretching on the mat and centering my energy, forcing my body past the barriers my injuries had set. At times, I found myself unsteady and shaky. A good shaky, though. The kind that let me know I was alive. I'm sure Lucius would have preferred I make use of the weights, maybe the virtual boxing ring.

Usually, I did train in the ring. I didn't want to go that route today. Instead, I pranced off the mat and to the bar across the far wall. I stretched one leg up, glancing over at Lucius. I nearly gasped when I realized he was watching me, his eyes heated and intense.

My gaze slitted on him. "Enjoying yourself?"

"Let's practice," he barked. "If you think you can handle me."

"I've been handling men like you for years, Sparkie."

A muscle ticked in his temple. "Let's get a few things straight,cookie . You don't like me and I don't like you. You don't want a partner, and I sure as h.e.l.l don't need one-especially an arrogant female other-worlder with no talent that I can see."

"Then why did you agree to work with me?" I ground out.