Page 57 of The Mech Who Loved Me
He was always touching her these days, almost as if he couldn't resist. Or maybe it was just a seductive ploy? She searched his eyes—and the heated look in them—trying to findanswers.
Her lips tingled, as if remembering the kiss they'd shared. Had it only been seven or eight hours ago? It seemed alifetime.
"You look delicious," Kincaid mouthed, very clearly, and Avaflushedand—
Charlie cleared histhroat.
Kincaid jerked his hand away from her bottom as though burned. "What is it?" he murmured, crossing toCharlie'sside.
Moonlight gilded the sharp lines of Charlie's face. "I can smell blood. And the door's notlocked."
As if to prove his point, he turned the handle and the door opened with what seemed a terribly loudcreak.
Kincaid drew his pistol and pressed his back against the side of the door. "Keep an eyeonAva."
Then he was gone, edging inside with the pistol held low in frontofhim.
Ava swallowed. The faintest hint of copper hit her nose, making her nostrils flare and her mouth flood with saliva. That was definitely blood. "What's happening? What'sgoingon?"
She could barely seeKincaid.
"He'll be all right," Charlie replied, correctly interpreting hernerves.
And when she looked at him, she realized he'd noticed the way Kincaid had been touching her in the shadows. Heat burned up her cheeks. "It's not like that. He's just—We'rejust—"
"It's none of my business." Charlie winkedather.
Ava relaxed at his side. The young man was barely in his twenties, and yet the look in his eyes could be so mature at times. "I wish everybody thought the same way. They treat me like achild."
"Maybe it's because there's a darkness in all of those who work for Malloryn, and yet none of it stains your soul. We can all see it," Charlie said quietly. "It makes you something to treasure, Ava. It makes you someone to protect. The light within you brings hope to a dark world, and reminds people like me, Gemma, and Byrnes—even Kincaid—there is something worthfightingfor."
"You're far too young to think yourself full ofdarkness."
Charlie smiled, but there was little warmth in it. "Age is a relative thing. I've seen children who grew up on the streets who have the eyes of old men or women." He paused. "And we all have ghosts riding our shoulders, whispering in ourdreams."
For the first time since she'd joined the Company, she actually felt like she belonged. "Thank you,Charlie."
The shadows lifted from his expression. "Forwhat?"
"For not making judgment upon what's happening between Kincaid and me. For treating me like someone who has a right to her ownchoices."
This time the smile was real. "Well, I've had time to get used to the idea. I'm fairly certain something happened between the two of you that night we all went out drinking at the GardenofEden."
A very perceptive man. One who knew how to keepsecrets.
Shesmiled.
And then Kincaid appeared out of the shadows within, looking large and menacing in black. "It'sclear."
Charlie followed her inside, and she was aware she had two dangerous men guarding her—one in front, and one behind—and for the first time in over a month she didn't feel the lesser for it. The truth was, she wasn't a capable fighter, nor was she prone to a clear head in frightening situations. She was just Ava, laboratory expert, repository of utterly useless and esoteric facts, and someone who could trip over her own feet if she were distractedenough.
"What do you think happened?" Ava whispered as they entered the back of the shop and found themselves in the same room they'd been in earlierthatday.
There was no blood. No sign of anythinguntoward.
But she couldsmellit.
And otherthings.
