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ChapterTwelve
KEATON
I spent most of the day arguing with my father, although he would call it “discussing my options.” For years, we’ve tried different treatments. We’ve tried every drug that was safe enough to test and a few that were experimental. Shock treatments, hydrotherapy, cryogenics, and more. I was a lab rat in every sense of the word, but now I’m finished with that.
This is who I am, and as long as I can live like this while keeping Elsy, then I’ll take it. My father reminded me that having children with Elsy is a risk, but that’s for Elsy and me to decide. If she really wants children, we can research the options, but I would never do anything to put her at risk. My mother reminded him that no one is guaranteed a healthy pregnancy or baby, but my dad wasn’t hearing it.
I’m just tired of the battle. I don’t want to fight my body anymore. What I want to do is learn to use these powers in a way that is safe, and I want to be with Elsy. That’s it. The rest of life can work itself out, but I’ve got my eyes on the prize.
After all of that, I pushed for information on John Malice, but my father didn’t give me much. I could sense there was more, but that’s all I got.
After texting her several times today and then calling three times, there was no answer. I was parked outside the building for two hours waiting to see if she came out for lunch, but there was no sign of her. Feeling worried and a little irritated, I decide that I’m done waiting.
I walk into JM Technologies, and the security is there to greet me.
“I’d like to speak to Elsy Harbor.” The security guard shares a look with the man beside him and shakes his head.
“I’m sorry, she’s in a restricted section and can’t be disturbed.” He goes back to what he was doing, but I clear my throat.
“I don’t think I introduced myself. I’m Keaton Lone.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Lone, but you’re not on her approved list.”
The anger that I try so hard to keep a leash on swells. “She has an approved list?” I try to keep the agitation out of my voice, but it’s no use. I see the colors of the room begin to change, so I know my eyes have. The security guard swallows hard and takes a step back.
“Yes, um, she is, uh, unavailable, but I can call her supervisor.”
“You do that,” I say through gritted teeth. When his shaky hand reaches for the phone, I decide that’s not good enough. “I’ve changed my mind. I’d like to see Gray Malice.”
“Mr. Malice?” The guard’s face pales as I lean closer.
“Now.”
He hits a button on the phone and then whispers into the receiver. After another second, the elevator door next to him opens, and he scans his card.
“He’ll see you now.”
Gray’s office is on the top floor, but the elevator never stops along the way. Outside his office is a reception area with two assistants seated behind desks. One of them stands up, but Gray opens the door to his office before the assistant can speak.
“Keaton,” he says by way of greeting, and I walk past him to enter his office.
“You didn’t want your dad’s old office?” I ask as I look out the wall of windows to the city beyond them.
“No,” he says simply.
“I don’t blame you. I heard he enjoyed every one of his admins.” I turn around and see Gray’s eyes flare. Maybe it was a low blow, but I’m not here to play nice.
“What do you want?”
“Why did you hire Elsy Harbor?”
“She’s the best.” He shrugs and doesn’t give any further explanation.
“I could almost believe it if it wasn’t for the other night on her birthday. You know what she means to me, and you have some kind of vendetta against my father.”
“The issues I have with your father don’t concern you.” He moves around his desk and puts his hands in his pocket. He’s careful with how close he gets to me, and his eyes don’t miss a thing.
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I move so that the desk is between us, and it’s probably for the best. “Anything with my father or Elsy concerns me. In fact, I checked into your story.”
