Page 59 of Deadly Sights

As we go through the files in one of the empty basement rooms, we make copies and laminate them before vacuum sealing the originals and storing them in an air-tight container. Once we copy a file, we feed the papers into a scanner to digitize, then use a program to enhance the contrast into readable text. Julian then screen grabs the text to put into a data mining software. Alastair, dry wit and all, has been a godsend in getting us what we need to stay somewhat organized.

So far none of the names spark any memories, not even with Julian providing extra background about my past interactionswith them, of which there were only a few. Just like in my past, I’m not one to be overly friendly. When I click with someone, I stick with that person. For everyone else, they barely exist in my world.

On top of not recognizing anyone, neither of us has found what links the rest of the children the orphanage took custody of, or Julian’s connection. We haven’t gone through all the files yet, so it’s possible we won’t find a common theme until all the data is in.

“If you keep poring over those files, we’ll be late to Danae’s get-together.” Julian strolls in with Leaper on his heels.

I glance at the time display on the computer. “I can’t believe the time got away from me so quickly.”

“Yes, it’s easy to spend a few hours on all this stuff and think only minutes passed by.” He looks over my shoulder at the most recent documents I scanned into the computer. “I picked out an outfit for you so you won’t have to debate what to wear.”

“Thank you.” I turn my head to kiss his cheek but stop at the intense concentration on his face. “Do you see a clue?”

“What?” He shakes his head as if he was in a cloud. “No, I wish though. Go get ready while I pack the food I made.”

I nod and head to my bedroom. To Alastair’s dismay, Julian moved into my room rather than transferring my things into his. When I saw his space, I understood. A bed and dresser are the only pieces of furniture in the room. There’s nothing to soften the interior, not even drapes over the windows. Since Julian delights in being surrounded by my things, I haven’t insisted on a change. No small part of my decision is the delight I receive being surrounded by his arms all night.

On the bed is a cream cable-knit sweater and suede pants that complement the slightly darker shade of the exact outfit he has on. The items are new to me, which makes me wonder when Julian bought them. I smile as I imagine the pointed looks we’llreceive as we enter Danae’s home in these outfits clearly chosen to paint us as a couple to the world. Next to the clothes are thin golden hoop earrings, and what I call my auburn vixen-next-door wig. I quickly dress and meet Julian at the car.

When he spins to face me, his mouth drops and his gaze warms with appreciation. I fluff the giant curls framing my face and trailing to my waist.

“Do I meet with your approval?”

“When you’re the blueprint, what’s to approve?” He closes the distance between us and leans in to kiss my lips.

One brush isn’t enough for me, so I lick the seam of his mouth until he opens and submits to my silent demand. Julian wraps his arms around my waist, and I tunnel my fingers through the hair at his nape to pull him closer to me while I devour him. I can’t ever get enough, and from the pressure poking my lower belly, he’s just getting started. With genuine regret, I separate us and wipe my lipstick from his mouth.

“Let’s go before I forget my friends and tie you to the bed for the rest of the day.” I walk around to the passenger side and enter the car.

“Tease.” His lighthearted response belies the heat simmering in his golden irises.

“You want to be tied up?”

He glances at me from the corner of my eye. “At your hands, there isn’t much I don’t want.”

My skin flushes with the power he willingly cedes me. It’s a gift I won’t abuse, and I begin to think of all the things I could do to him while he’s at my mercy. But the wetness seeping into my panties warns me to curb my thoughts. Entering Danae’s home and dragging Julian into an empty bedroom to handle me will put me at the center of my friends’ jokes. Julian and I will already be everyone’s focus as they drill him to gauge his character.

With my body on a low simmer, I study Julian. He has an odd look, similar to the one he wore when updating me on the time. I let it go before, but my instincts are telling me to dig deeper now.

“Something is bothering you.” I take his hand from the gearshift and lace our fingers together.

“Jason called, requesting me for a job.” Julian’s lips firm.

“Is it odd for him to reach out?”

“Maybe if I hadn’t told him I would be on an indefinite break.” He lapses into silence while I contemplate what this request means for him.

“Do you think Night Stalker lied? That they know you’re protecting me?”

“The thought crossed my mind. After all, we’ve been skeptical of everything else he said when we interrogated him.”

“True, but if they know you’ve defected, you won’t be able to infiltrate their systems. With the files we have not jogging any memories or giving me any clues, we’ll have to go to the source.”

He brings our joined hands to his lips and presses against my knuckles. “I hate to break it to you, but I think they’ve suspected me for some time. During my last interaction with Jason, I warned not to send anyone for me. He didn’t reassure me that would never happen or tell me I was being paranoid.”

“Sounds like we have another task on our never-ending list. Find clues surrounding my accident and recover my memory so we know why we’re fighting them. Whatever I knew as a kid must have been explosive since they keep coming after me.”

Julian turns into Danae’s suburban subdivision. As we near the house, Julian asks, “How many times have you visited Danae here?” The super calm way he speaks puts me on alert.

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