TAKI'S POV
I studied her, wondering how much I should reveal. She looked to be on the edge, and unfortunately, there wasn't much I could do about it—if I told her everything, well …
"Your eyes are wrong." Jane's soft voice wound through the shrill sound of high-end jet engines.
"My eyes?" I fought a grin. My brother Dage was correct, as usual. Jane was beyond gifted, beyond a normal psychic.
"Yes. They're not supposed be brown," she said.
"Maybe they aren't," I agreed.
"Contacts—like on TV?" She scrunched her face in a frown.
"Contacts," I affirmed.
"Can you take them out?" She asked again.
"Not yet. Later I will."
"Okay." The little girl leaned against her mother before closing her eyes with a sigh.
CLARA'S POV
A chill skittered along my spine as I listened to the exchange. What was wrong with his eyes? Why did Jane know about it already? Why did the sweet child have to see the future at all?
If Miss Kiara didn't call to check on us, then surely Dr. Kelvin, my boss, would call. The jerk was under a deadline to keep his grant, and he needed me at work. My research into creating a virus that would enhance the crop yield of corn showed enough promise to glean two solid grants for the next year. And oh God. My sister Annie would go freaking crazy. She'd tear apart the U.S. Marshal's Service to find us.
I straightened in my seat, digging my nails into my moist palms as Taki kept his gaze on me. I lifted my chin to glare at the large man sitting so relaxed across the aisle. His size made me feel small. Vulnerable. Feminine.
He had a body designed for billboards. His thick chest, narrow waist, and long legs showed power and strength. Bold eyes sat in a hard face softened not at all by its own beauty; a masculine starkness that would render an observer speechless from afar. This close effect was devastating.
"It's going to be alright, Clara." His voice brought me back to reality. "You're safe now."
I refused to answer and continued to study him. Dark eyebrows slashed over those brown eyes that apparently weren't quite right. High cheekbones protruded as ridges over deep hollows, and his jaw clenched strong and formidable. And his mouth. God. Full lips didn't hint at a hidden sensuality; they boldly promised heated sex. Without apology. Minutes before those same lips had been on mine, and as they tipped up at my appraisal, a stirring tickled in my belly. An unfamiliar stirring, the scientist in me yearned to investigate.
Gosh, he caught me staring and gave a full grin. "I suggest you get some rest, darling. Life just became very interesting."
"What about my plants?" I mumbled, hating the words even as they tumbled out of my mouth. What the heck? I and Janie had just been taken by an enormous soldier who kissed like the devil, and I was worried about my plants.
He lifted an eyebrow. "Your plants at your house?"
I nodded, biting my lip.
"I'll take care of it." I frowned and, he nodded. "I promise, Clara. Your plants will be cared for." He cleared his throat. "Any other concerns?"
Pure arrogance, this man. "Yes. My sister Annie will go crazy trying to find us." As soon as tomorrow night, when we were supposed to have dinner. "I need to call her." Our parents had died just before I had turned sixteen; eighteen-year-old Annie had raised me from that point. As always, we had made a plan together.
He shook his head. "No. Let's get to the Marshal's service, and we'll figure everything out from there. Don't worry about the plants or your sister—you can trust me. Now try to get some rest." He said, as crossed his long legs at the ankles and closed his eyes.
I had no choice but to trust him. My plants would be all right, and I'd figure out a way to get a hold of Annie. Next to me, Jane mumbled in her sleep. Damn it. Jane had a play date with a new friend tomorrow. And I had a grown-up date. I suddenly remembered. The first one in—God, how long? The accountant who'd been calling me for months suddenly seemed, well, small. Boring. Pasty. I turned away from the bulky soldier relaxing across the aisle. Wide awake, I watched the clouds flash by out the window.
***
Two hours later, I stared at the maple conference table while Jane happily ate a doughnut next to me. Crumbs dropped like snow on the smooth surface. We had been waiting for thirty minutes in the innocuous metal building to the left of the small runway, but at least new jeans and sweaters had been provided for us. The quiet of the room lulled me toward a much needed sleep.
I hoped I would be able to keep my daughter safe. Danger swirled around us with a breath of its own. I may not have the clear sense of Jane, but I knew it was there. My gaze focused on a pretty row of African violets lined up against the window—purple, pink, and white. Calmness settled over me.
I stroked Jane's wild curls as the steel door opened, and a slender, older man in his mid-sixties entered in front of a grim-faced Taki. The man's gunmetal hair was mussed, the lines on his face carved with a dull knife. I straightened in my chair as they took seats across the small conference table, waiting for one of them to speak.
"Ms. Darlington, I'm Director Douglas, and I want to apologize for this morning's drama." He reached out to pat my knuckles, his liver-spotted hand chilled. My body tensed in reaction. Now, I couldn't even block this guy's emotions? The director's gaze flicked to Taki and back again.
"Director," I pinned the man with mybest "mom stare." "I want an explanation." He may be afraid of the silent menace next to him, but I wasn't.
Director Douglas cleared his throat before smiling. His lips wavered a bit. "Well, simply put, Jane and you have been targeted by the Merodize gang out of New York."
"The who? Out of what?" I shook my head. "A gang? There's no way some city gang has ever heard of us, trust me. What's really going on here?" I swung a narrowed gaze at the motionless man next to the director. "Well?"
"Ms. Darlington," the director huffed before grimacing at Taki. It was obvious who was in charge.
Taki leaned forward. "The gang is irrelevant; it just serves as foot-soldiers for the Kurgans."
"The Kurgans? Sounds like some weird terrorist group. What could they want with us?" I asked, just as Jane sucked in her breath, causing all eyes to turn to her.
"They're real?" She asked Taki, her face paling to the color of wet paste.