Twice as Hot (Tales of an Extraordinary Girl #2)(43)

It would probably be best for everyone to keep him out of the conversation for now.

"Where did Vincent - who we not-so-affectionately call 'Pretty Boy,' by the way - keep you?" Tanner asked. "Before the escape attempt? And did you do any jobs with Ms. Bright? Can you tell us her fighting style?"

If Elaine was fazed by the barrage of questions, she didn't show it. "He has - had - a house in every corner of the world, it seemed. He moved me around a lot. I didn't even know I was in Georgia until I arrived at PSI. But no, I didn't work directly with Candace."

"What about Desert Gal? Have you ever met her?" I asked.

"No. Sorry. My social life as an OASS agent was...limited."

Limited. Sadly, the description was probably generous. I felt so bad for this girl, wanted to take her under my wing, protect her. Maybe she and Tanner could - no, I thought sadly. They couldn't. One touch of her skin, and she'd kill the boy. That, I couldn't allow.

I couldn't even give her a hug unless we both wore full-body condoms.

"Tell us about the jobs he had you work." Tanner plopped into the chair next to mine.

"I was his killer, just as I was his father's." Shame dripped from her. Shame and regret and horror. "It was easy for me. Quick. No one ever suspected, never realized they'd welcomed death, until it was too late. All I had to do was walk past them, brush my hand against theirs. And I know what you're thinking.

I should have touched Vincent and killed him. I would have loved to do that, but he made sure he was never in striking distance."

My chest constricted, and I wondered again if that's what had happened with M-Squared. Which caused me to soften. Again. Pretty Boy had issued commands from a remote location, so there had never been anything M-Squared could do to stop the man. Except, he'd been Desert Gal's favorite. Why would he have been her favorite if he hadn't helped her? Oops again. There was more steam.

Apparently, I was a yo-yo when it came to that man.

"Who did he want you to kill?"

"People who disagreed with his business practices, PSI employees who wouldn't join him, no matter the incentive. Innocents who had something he wanted."

And that had clearly torn her up inside. Even after everything she'd already endured. Okay. I didn't care if she could drain me. I didn't care if one touch of her skin could destroy me. I stood to shaky legs and strode forward, closing the distance between us. There was another rap on the window, but I didn't slow. I knelt in front of her and placed my palms on her gloved arms. There was no buzz of sensation, no zap of my strength.

She stiffened.

That didn't deter me, either. This lonely girl had not known the kindness or love of even a single parent, as I had. Hers had sold her, as if she were a car or a boat. They hadn't contacted her afterward, I'm sure. Hadn't visited her on her birthdays or called her when she was sick. No one should have to endure such a travesty.

"Wh-what are you doing?" she asked.

"Giving you a hug." Slowly, so I wouldn't startle her, I leaned my head into her chest, my shoulder into her middle.

Her eyes widened the closer I came. "You could be hurt. Something bad could happen to you and I wouldn't - I - "

She didn't tell me to stop, I noticed, and that was more telling than she probably realized. I wrapped my arms around her and pressed my cheek just above her breast, heard her heart pound as if it wanted to beat its way out.

A tremor moved through her, shaking us both. I think a teardrop even splashed atop my hair.

I held on to her for a long while. Finally, her arms reached around me, tentative at first, then squeezing tight. "Why are you doing this?" she whispered, the words broken.

"Because no one should have to endure the things you've endured. Because I hate that you can't be touched. Because you deserve better." I wanted to absorb all of that pain inside myself, take it away from her and show her just how precious and wonderful life could be.

A hand suddenly patted my back and I turned slightly, seeing Tanner kneel behind Elaine. His arms wrapped around her, too, but had to slide around me to make contact. That's when the flood of tears came, no mere trickle, not anymore.

We held her through it all. I didn't care what I looked like, didn't care that Rome saw me this way rather than as a badass agent who beat the crap out of "subjects" for answers.

When she quieted, I pulled back but Tanner held on, his hands flat on her stomach. I think he needed the contact as much as she did, because there were tears in his eyes, as well. Perhaps Elaine was somehow absorbing the pain Lexis had caused in him.

I swallowed the hard lump in my throat as Elaine gripped his wrists, holding him to her.

Then her gaze lifted and clashed with mine. "I may not have met Desert Gal, but I know that she wants you," she told me quietly.

Me? I hadn't challenged her yet. Not really. "For what?"

"I'm not sure, exactly. I overheard Candace tell Tobin that PSI would be rescuing us soon, and he would get a fat reward from Desert Gall if he brought you in." I'd been right. Some of the "victims" were plants. So many pieces were falling into place, and soon the puzzle would be complete. I was more excited than I'd been in a long time. The excitement was blended with fear, though. Desert Gall was after me, yet my powers were wonky and my filter a stubborn shithead. Tamp down both emotions before you summon wind.