She nods, eyes narrowing in thought. “I’ve read the data. I haven’t tested them much myself, but from what I can tell, they accelerate the processes of the current gems. More like fuel than competition.”
Clinical words, sure, but the way she glances over her shoulder ruins it. She’s too damn distracting in my T-shirt, wearing too-large jeans, curls wild around her shoulders.
She circles the garnet slowly, fingertips trailing through the air near it, eyes fixed on the pulsing glow. “This one’s perfectly healthy,” she says at last. “Have you exchanged energy with her?”
“Several times.”
“And it hasn’t helped you?”
Wouldn’t that be ideal? “No.”
She presses a finger against her mouth, thoughtful. “I’m not sure what to do. Your condition hasn’t killed you yet, but it could. Especially if the wrong people realize how to exploit it.” Her gaze lifts, blue eyes bright and sharp, pinning me. “What would happen if too many jerks attacked at once? If they hit you with their voices together?”
The question slices too close. I’ve worried about damage to my internal organs—my heart or even my brain. My jaw tightens. “I don’t want to think about it. Only you know about my condition. I don’t want Thorn to know.”
“That puts a bull’s-eye on me.”
“It does.” I step closer, the garnet’s glow brushing heat along my arm. “So keep that fact to yourself.”
She rolls her eyes at me, like I’m overbearing. Her lips curve, faint but there.
Not afraid. Not of me.
That’s not good.
She glances at a clock mounted high on the far wall, just beyond the rows of blinking server lights. Her brows pull together. “We can’t leave Leo in the car too long.”
Of course. She’s attached to that dog. “I know.” I study her, waiting. “Any thoughts here?”
She shakes her head, curls shifting around her shoulders. “No, but I promise I’ll start digging. Quietly. Under the radar. I need to research your condition more, even if there’s nothing written about it. Sometimes the key is in the underlying problem, not the name of the ailment. I also want to recheck everything we did for Thorn. Something in that process should have helped you too.”
“Yeah, but we were focused on Thorn,” I say, jaw tightening. “I just haven’t figured it out yet.”
“I know.” Her voice softens, and the weight in it punches straight through my chest while my cock hardens. That sweet, soft sound might kill me. “I know it’s my fault. But I will help you.” Then she tries to negotiate. “But since your apartment was blown up, maybe we meet in a couple of days? Somewhere neutral?”
A low chuckle escapes me before I can catch it. When was the last time I laughed? Genuine amusement slides through me, hot and unfamiliar. “You’re fucking adorable.”
Her head snaps up, eyes flashing. She doesn’t preen. She knows exactly what I mean.
I guess I need to be more direct. “No.”
“Justice, come on—”
“Nope. If you think I’m letting you out of my control, you’ve lost your damn mind.”
She looks like she might stomp her foot, and hell, it’s cute. Too cute. “Listen, buddy—”
“Nope.” I cut her off again, slow and deliberate. “Don’t argue with me, Ella. You won’t win.”
Her glare could scorch a weaker man. “Fine. Then where exactly do you plan on putting me and my dog?”
“You’ll see.” I reach for her hand again.
She narrows her eyes, suspicion etched across her face. “I guess I’m not being clear. It’s time to make a deal. I’ll save you, and you let me go. Full stop.”
“No.” I’m done. I yank my shirt up over her head before she can move.
She hisses, hands on her hips, gorgeous tits tightening in the cold.
