Major’s gaze darted between Alec and me, and his frown threatened to swallow his eyes. “I’m sorry, did something occur that I should be aware of?”
The question leaked some of the tension from my body. So he didn’t know.
“No, sir,” Alec and I said at the same time. Major’s frown and the lines around his mouth deepened as he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. I’d faced that look too often to be intimidated by it. Realizing it, he stared down at a file lying opened on his desk. Holly relaxed visibly in her chair.
“So why did you want to see us, sir?” Alec asked, his voice all business. I wished I had his talent to switch off my emotions. I bet his Variation factored into that. Outside the picture window, it had started hailing, and the icy stones lashed angrily against the glass.
“I have a new mission for the three of you,” Major said, shuffling a few pieces of paper around.
“So soon?” I blurted. It had been only a few weeks since I’d returned from my first mission in Livingston. There were classes to complete before I was sent out into the field again. And my previous mission still haunted my dreams.
“I thought we’d agreed to keep Tessa in headquarters for a while until we’ve determined if Abel’s Army will target her,” Alec said disapprovingly.
Why did he make it sound as if I was the only target? The clunk-clunk of hail hitting the window filled the awkward silence of the room. Holly watched the scene with wide eyes. This would be her very first mission. I scratched my shoes over the gray tiled floor, unsure what to make of Alec’s strange reaction.
Major’s lips thinned as he folded his fingers on the desk in front of him. “It’s not my decision, sadly. A politician has been getting death threats, and one of his bodyguards was seriously injured during a recent attack. Secret Service is convinced that we’re dealing with Variants. Apparently the government may have done some bargaining with shady individuals. Now this is mob business, and Abel’s Army might be doing some of their dirty work for cash.”
“If Abel’s Army is responsible, Tessa can’t be involved in the case. It’s too dangerous,” Alec said urgently.
“What would our mission entail?” I asked, tired of everyone discussing my safety as if I wasn’t there.
Major’s lips turned up into the semblance of a smile. “Our main job is to catch the people responsible for the death threats and the attacks.” He turned his attention to me. “But in order to do that and keep the politician safe, certain people think you should impersonate him.”
“Who is he?”
“Senator Jack Pollard,” Major said. I didn’t know him, but a senator? “He was with the FEA a while back, then he turned politician and started working for the State Department. He tried to establish a cooperation between our government and foreign organizations that were similar to the FEA.”
“There are Variant agencies in other countries?” I asked. Somehow it had never occurred to me that there might be Variants around the world, not connected to the FEA.
“Yes,” Major said. “So far his cooperation efforts haven’t worked out though. Not that we’ve been revealing anything about the FEA to other countries, so why would they?” He paused. “Anyway, now he ensures that the FEA prison abides official regulations, though he’s never actually set foot inside.” It didn’t take much to hear the contempt in Major’s voice. “Mainly he’s an advisor for the government on matters of organized crime.”
“So he’s fully aware of the involvement of Abel’s Army with the mob and other crime organizations?” Holly guessed.
“Indeed,” Major said. “His affiliation with them is likely the reason for his becoming a target.”
“How long would I need to pretend to be him?” I couldn’t imagine living someone else’s life again so soon after my last mission.
“You’re not going to take anyone’s place,” Alec interrupted me. “Not when Abel’s Army is involved.”
I stared at him, speechless. What the hell had gotten into him? His gray eyes were boring into me as if he was trying to send me some secret message. I was so sick of him deciding what was best for me when he couldn’t be honest himself.
“That’s not for you to decide.”
“You don’t know how serious this is, Tessa.”
“Enough,” Major said sharply. “This is an order. I won’t tolerate your insubordination. If you can’t keep your emotions in check, I’ll pull you from the mission and will send Tanner as protection for Tessa and Holly.”
Alec’s face turned to stone. “No. I have to be there.”
Major searched his face for a long time, then nodded and turned back to me. “You’re going to take Senator Pollard’s place for one event. The senator has been invited to speak in front of a few hundred law students.”
“He’ll talk about us?” Holly asked in a hushed voice.
“Of course not,” Major said curtly. “He’ll give a speech about organized crime.” He turned to me once again. “Apparently the Secret Service believes that this’ll be the perfect opportunity for Abel’s Army to strike. It’ll be your job, Tessa, to replace Senator Pollard. You’ll be giving his speech, and you may need to talk to a few people, if necessary, but we’ll try to keep your contact with outsiders to a minimum.”
“So I’ll have to memorize his speech and learn everything about organized crime?”
“I doubt you can learn everything in two days. But it can’t hurt for your future missions to get familiar with the structure of the mob and similar organizations.”
“Sir,” Holly said meekly. “What will be my job?”
“You and Alec will accompany Tessa for her safety. While Alec will be part of the official security staff, you’ll be keeping an eye on things discreetly, using your Variation. It’s time that you’re finally part of a mission.” Major’s eyes narrowed. “Summers and Alec assured me that you can do this. Do you agree?”
Holly nodded hastily. “Yes, sir. My Variation has improved a lot. I can stay invisible for several hours.”
“That will do for now. You should make sure that your record is over a day by the end of the year,” Major said.
Holly shrunk on her chair and cast her eyes downward. Why couldn’t Major praise her for her improvement? Didn’t he realize how difficult it had been for her?
“Do Pollard’s bodyguards know of the mission?” Alec asked.
Major glanced up from his desk. “No,” he said. “No one else knows. The senator thought it wouldn’t be wise to tell them about it.”
“But they know about the FEA and Variants?” I said.
Major’s lips twisted. “No, apparently it’s hard to come by entirely trustworthy security personnel, unless you’re the president.”
Well, that made me feel safe.
“Pollard will visit headquarters tomorrow. He’d like to meet you before entrusting his reputation to you, and since you’ll have to touch him to gather his DNA for the mission, I agreed.” He gave a dismissive nod. “That’s it for now. You can return to your rooms.”
Alec tried to catch my eyes as we left Major’s office, but I ignored him. The moment we were outside, he grabbed my hand. “We need to talk. Just one minute.”
Holly waited for me a few steps away. “Should I wait?”
“No. It’s okay. You go ahead.” After she disappeared into the elevator, I followed Alec to the other end of the corridor, far away from Major’s office and his ears.
“You’ll have to trust me for this mission, Tess,” he said. We were standing far too close. I craned my neck to look into his eyes, and the emotion there stopped me from stepping back. “That’s rule number one for bodyguards and their charge.”
“Don’t worry. My feelings won’t disturb the mission. I’m sure you won’t let them,” I said coldly.
“Fuck. Don’t you get it? I don’t give a damn about this mission. I’m
scared for you. They’re using you as bait again. Just like last time. I couldn’t protect you then, and you almost died. I won’t let that happen again.”
Words rose into my throat, but I couldn’t bring them out. Despair and worry crowded on Alec’s face. His palm felt warm against my cheek. What did it matter that he could read my emotions? It didn’t change what I felt for him. Alec leaned down until our breath mingled, and I could practically feel the heat of his lips on mine. One kiss and maybe everything would be okay.
Don’t, a tiny voice warned, but it couldn’t compete against Alec’s warmth, against the smell of him, against the look in his gray eyes. Our lips collided, and it felt like the world around me had faded to black, like nothing mattered but him and our kiss. I jerked away. How could I know he hadn’t planned this, gauging my emotions until they told him what he was waiting for? How could I know that I wasn’t just feeling what he wanted me to feel?
Alec slumped against the wall. For a long time, we just stared at each other, and the look in his eyes almost killed me. I whirled around, away from the pain on his face. I had bigger things to worry about: Abel’s Army and the next mission. If what Alec said was true, Holly and I were in great danger.
CHAPTER 7
My hands were sweaty when I stepped into Major’s office the next morning to meet Senator Pollard. It felt more like an assessment than a meeting.
I was surprised to see Summers leaning against the wall beside the glass cabinet, her sinewy arms crossed in front of her chest. As usual, she was dressed in all black: black muscle shirt, tight leather pants, and combat boots with steel toe caps. She gave me a curt nod. Her ash-blond hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. It looked as if a brush hadn’t come near her for days. Sometimes I wondered if Summers deliberately dressed like a man so that people would show her more respect. Or maybe she just hated makeup and other girly things. I supposed she was involved in the mission because of Holly. After all, it was her evaluation that had convinced Major that Holly was ready for the field.
Major stood in front of his floor-to-ceiling window, his back turned to the man in the chair across from his desk. The door fell shut behind my back with an audible thud. I winced. Major turned, his face lined with a deep frown. The senator twisted in his chair to look at me. He was the epitome of a successful politician. Every detail of his appearance was perfect, from his black designer suit with thin pinstripes, his light blue tie, his neatly smoothed-back gray hair, and his attractive, clean-shaven face. Nothing was out of line. Even his high-wattage smile looked like it took weeks to perfect in the mirror.
“So that’s her?” he asked in a voice even smoother than his outward appearance. His smile twisted and suddenly turned cruel. I was pretty sure that was his behind-closed-doors smile. “That tiny slip of a girl? You’re losing your touch, my friend.” He let out a superior laugh while watching me the way one would regard a bothersome fly. I was stunned into silence and glanced at Major. Was that man for real? It seemed his perfect appearance was trying to overcompensate for his ugly persona. What a douche.
Summers straightened, her square jaw tightening. Her leather pants squeaked as her legs moved.
Pollard looked at me, blue eyes no longer amused but calculating. “You, come here.”
The annoyance must have shown on my face, because he let out a deep laugh. “Oh-ho-ho, a firecracker,” he whistled. He glanced at Summers as if he thought she’d agree with him, but from the look on her face, she would have liked to crush him under her black boots.
I walked up to him without a word, rearranging my face into a smile. Nothing I wanted to say would have improved my situation. Not that I thought I’d have gotten in trouble with Major. Whatever insult I might have chosen, I was sure he had a worse word in mind for the senator. But this was about professionalism. In future missions, I’d often work with people I didn’t like or who would be rude to me. The trick was to remain above the fray.
“So you’re the one they’re all salivating over?” He didn’t even try to hide his doubt and amusement. His hands were smooth, with the skin of someone who’d always had other people to do his work, and neat nails as if he’d had a manicure recently. When he reached out to touch my arm, it still took all my willpower not to flinch. He was rude and slimy and I didn’t want him anywhere near me. The second his skin came into contact with mine, I could feel my body absorb his data, incorporate it somehow into my memory and DNA. “This little girl is supposed to take my place, huh?” His eyes burned into mine, never wavering.
I bristled but stopped myself from saying something. I returned his gaze. I wouldn’t let that man intimidate me.
“She’s more than capable,” Major said through gritted teeth. His expression made it plainly clear how little he thought of the man in front of him. But I thought that went both ways. There wasn’t any love lost between them.
“Then get on with it, missy. Show me what you got,” he said in a deep southern drawl, all charm and smile. He seemed to find himself very funny.
Since he’d already touched me, I’d already collected the DNA I needed to shift into his form. But then I hesitated. I had a better idea. I let the familiar rippling sensation wash over me, felt my bones grow and shift, saw my skin darken to caramel. The man let out a whistle. “Holy moly. Not bad.” He glanced between Major and me. “I couldn’t tell who’s the real one.”
A self-satisfied smile tugged at my lips, but it died when I noticed the look on Major’s face. His lips were set in a hard line, eyes burning with anger. He’d never said as much, but apparently changing into him was off-limits. I glanced at Summers for help, but her face didn’t give anything away.
“You know, Antonio,” Senator Pollard said snidely. Major tensed at the use of his first name. Only Martha was allowed to call him that. “She actually manages to make you look better. I guess that’s because she isn’t so tense and stuck up.”
With a violent shudder, I hastily changed back to myself. I didn’t want to give Senator Pollard any more reason to provoke Major, who already looked close to exploding.
“As you can see, Tessa is the perfect agent for the job,” Major said curtly. “She’ll make sure this mission is a success.”
“She’d better. Some people would love to see her fail and have your trust in her be thrown in your face.” His cold eyes settled on me. “You’re being watched.”
I didn’t dare ask what that meant, and Major’s scowl made it clear he wouldn’t tell me. And maybe it was for the best. It would only distract me from the mission. Major dismissed me with a nod, but as I stepped out of the office, Senator Pollard’s words made me pause. I slowly closed the door behind me, stopping to listen to as much of their conversation as I could. “Someone has stolen the files about the FEA prison.” I was glad that the senator saw no reason to keep his voice down. I held my breath and pressed my ear against the door.
“Why has no one informed me of this before?” Major demanded.
“I suppose they think it’s my concern.”
“Your concern? You haven’t been there once in all these years. If you had any sense at all, you wouldn’t have kept sensitive information in a building full of non-Variants. This is FEA business.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, my friend. You can’t just build a prison and think the FBI and federal government won’t keep an eye on it. You’re given a lot of leeway with your decisions, but we have to at least pretend to work under federal laws.”
“You don’t realize the consequences of your incompetence.”
“And you are a drama queen.” I had to stifle a gasp. But Senator Pollard continued as if he hadn’t just insulted Major. “What can they do with a file? So what if they know who’s been locked up in our prison?”
I heard some rustling, and the door opened. I stumbled back, but it was too late. Summers had seen me. She slipped the door shut behind her and cocked a blond eyebrow. ??
?Poking your nose into things that aren’t your business?”
I was about to reply, but she didn’t give me the chance. “Curiosity killed the cat. Some things better stay a secret, believe me,” she added, then she strode down the corridor.
Was she talking about Alec’s secret Variation? Or were there more secrets—even darker secrets—I didn’t know?
CHAPTER 8
Tanner was the one who brought me the clothes I was to wear as Senator Pollard: a dark gray suit, a white shirt, and a red tie, as well as white cotton briefs and an undershirt. I hadn’t considered that I’d have to wear his underwear, too.
Tanner leaned against the doorframe, twisting his septum piercing. His expression was too serious.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I need to talk to you,” he said. “About Alec.”
Dread settled in the pit of my stomach. That was the last thing I wanted to talk about.
“Can it wait until later? I need to change.” I couldn’t even look him in the eyes. He was Alec’s best friend. He’d probably been in on his secret from the start. I knew which side he was on.
“I won’t take long.” He moved closer, but then he thought better of it and stopped in the middle of the room. He looked uneasy, as if what he was going to say next was way out of his comfort zone. “Alec loves you. You know that, right?”
Of course I knew. Alec had said the words to me, but hearing Tanner say them made them seem more real. “Love isn’t the problem,” I said quietly. I glanced at the photo of Alec and me on my nightstand. Why did things have to go wrong so fast? There had been a time in my life when I’d thought Alec admitting his love for me would make me the happiest person alive.