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The problem was that studying Jaz's physical makeup wasn't enough. They had to study his transformations, and discover what triggers allowed him to reshape his features. That couldn't be done without his consent. So for four years Jaz and his captors had been locked in this weird relationship of control and reward, and Jaz lived like the proverbial canary in the gilded cage, getting everything except the two things he wanted most. Freedom and Hope.
Why was Jaz obsessed with Hope? What makes the heart latch onto one person and refuse to let go? I wish I knew.
In Hope, Jaz thought he'd found his perfect partner, someone who loved chaos as much as he did. They'd met when Benicio had asked Hope to infiltrate a Miami gang of supernaturals. Jaz and his brother, Jason--known as Sonny--had seemed like just two ordinary members. They'd befriended her, and Jaz fell for her, and I think maybe Hope fell a little in return, until Karl came back into her life, and swept aside all the competition. And then she'd discovered what Jaz really was. A murderous psychopath.
It had been three years since they'd seen each other, yet when that door opened, Jaz's grin was so big and so bright that Hope faltered in her tracks. I couldn't blame her. It was a heart-stopper of a smile, and Jaz was a gorgeous guy, with black curls and deep green eyes.
Jaz started to scramble off the bed.
One of the guards lifted his hand. "You know the routine, Jasper. Stand on the other side of the bed and place your hands behind your back."
Hope laid her fingers on the guard's arm. "That won't be necessary."
"We're under orders--"
"Call Mr. Cortez. I'm sure he'll agree."
He did, and Benicio did, and Karl said nothing, namely because they'd already hashed this one out. Now they were only playing their parts.
When the guards left, Hope walked to a chair. She'd dressed in a flowing peasant shirt with a strategically draped scarf, trying to hide her pregnancy.
"He isn't fooled," I murmured.
"I know," Benicio said.
The way he watched her, his gaze intent, told me Jaz would notice any change in her, however slight.
"It doesn't seem to be bothering him," I said.
"It won't," Karl said, his gaze glued to Jaz with the same intensity. "A child would simply be a minor obstacle to him. One easily overcome."
Easily gotten rid of, he meant, and when I looked back at Jaz, I knew Karl was right. I understood why he wanted him dead. Yes, Karl feared for his child's life and, yes, he feared losing Hope, but more than that he knew that if Jaz ever got Hope, he'd finally realize he'd never have her, not the way he wanted. If he couldn't have her, no one else would. He'd take away everything she loved, and when she didn't love him instead, he'd kill her.
"How much longer until you have what you need from him?" I asked Benicio.
"Soon."
"You should speed that up," I said. "Give Hope one less thing to worry about."
Karl glanced over. His expression said he wasn't sure if I meant it or was just trying to win points. I wasn't. If it was me, I'd want Jaz dead. The sooner, the better.
I turned back to the video feed.
"So you wanted to speak to me?" Jaz said to Hope.
"I did."
"Let me guess. Karl Marsten isn't doing it for you anymore. When it comes to chaos, he's a wine spritzer. It worked for a while, but you need something stronger."
She offered an enigmatic smile. "Would you believe that?"
"I believe it's the truth. But would I believe you've figured it out already? No."
"I didn't think so."
Benicio glanced at Karl. "What's she doing?"
"Going off script, it would appear. Odd, really. She usually follows orders so well."
