Chapter 17

From his coat pocket, Derek pulled out a packet that looked like Scorpion Bliss, my favorite cigarettes. I didn’t realize how much I was in nicotine withdrawal until he opened the packet, and that gorgeous nicotine scent filled the air. I closed my eyes for a second, breathing it in. My hands started to shake as I reached across the table.

“Say please,” he said and laughed.

I narrowed my eyes at him. Bet that assclown tortured small creatures as a child. “Go fuck yourself.” I tucked my hands under my arms, so he couldn’t see how much I was shaking. It had been a while since my last smoke, and the smell must’ve triggered my addiction.

“Oh, don’t be like that.” He tossed the packet over to me. “I just like to keep things fun here.”

As long as you’re the one having fun. I ripped open the packet and found that while they were the cigarette brand I used, they were different. Like high-tech different—there was no way to light them.

I took out one of the cigarettes and observed it. “What… is this?”

“The latest upgrade to smoking. True smokeless cigarettes, it’s revolutionary. And I own the patent.”

I looked at it from all angles. It seemed legit, and the packaging looked like it was from the manufacturer. But with the kind of money Derek had it would be easy to duplicate.

“My dear girl, it’s perfectly safe. Well, the nicotine is still there, but if you’re thinking I’ve tampered with it, you’ve got to ask yourself why I would go through all that hassle. I have you here now. Had I wanted to drug you, you’d already be on the floor.” He stared me down, as if daring to question him.

I wanted to resist, as another ‘fuck off’ gesture. But the tantalizing aroma of the nicotine won out. I took a drag of the cigarette and was amazed at the flavor. Sure enough, there was no smoke—when I exhaled, it was a regular breath. To this day, I don’t know how he pulled it off. It was so much better than a regular cigarette.

“This is incredible,” I muttered before I could stop myself. I lay back in the intoxicatingly soft couch, feeling relaxed for the first time in days.

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. In the lair of the arch enemy, clearly the villain, and I’m relaxed? I’d like to tell you I went at him, guns blazing and all. But the truth of it is, I’m no hero. I never was. Besides, I had a feeling if I did try anything, he would shut me down in seconds.

“I’m glad you like it. I’ll own half the planet once it’s in production, late next quarter.”

“Am I supposed to be impressed?”

“You’re supposed to pay attention, nothing more. To put it in words you understand, I’m not someone you want to fuck with.” His sycophantic grin dissolved, and the frown that took its place seemed more natural on him. Ruthless. Evil. Inhuman.

“I don’t trust people who don’t curse. They’re the ones who end up going postal.” I took another delicious drag. “What do you want with me?”

He pressed his fingertips together, forming a pyramid shape above his lap. “The better question is, why were you modified?”

I turned it over in my head and realized he was right. He obviously brought me back here because of my power. If he had the ability to bestow powers on people, why choose some random DBA?

“Okay, sure. Why me? Out of all the people in Jersey, or in the world for that matter, did you decide to screw with me?”

“I’m so glad you asked.” A cocky smile appeared, and I wanted to punch his patronizing face. “The truth is, you’re special. You have a DNA marker that very few individuals possess. It’s this marker that allows us, with the help of a serum I’ve developed, to infuse abilities beyond that of a normal human.”

“And what, I’m one of your unwitting guinea pigs?”

“In a matter of speaking. I vetted you out, of course. I have eyes on you still.”

His sinister expression actually scared me for a second. This guy’s been watching my every move? How?

“It really is simple, with the right equipment, software, and people in your employ.” He said it with an unearthly ease, and I wondered if anyone or anything had ever stood in his way.

His attention focused back on his tablet. “Ah, very good. It turns out your lover is still alive.”

At that I perked up. Could it be, is it possible he’s not dead? “Alex?”

Derek chuckled and glanced at Steve before settling his gaze back on me. “That’s right! I have to be more specific with you, don’t I? It’s only a shame Viola isn’t here for the fun.”

“Motherfucker,” I muttered as I lunged for him. Steve tackled me to the floor before I could reach Derek’s throat and choke the ever-loving shit out of him.

I tried to punch Steve, but he grabbed both of my wrists and pinned me to the floor. “Get the fuck off me!”

“I will have you sedated if need be, my dear,” Derek said. He stood towering over Steve and me. “But it really is more fun with you conscious.”

“You good?” Steve said to me when I stopped struggling. His eyes were serious and threatening, so different from how he was with me alone. Like he was another person when he played Derek’s watchdog.

“Yes,” I conceded, then added in a sarcastic tone, “I’ll play nice with the big bad boss man.”

Derek moved over to the fireplace and stared at the flames. “I thought you would be grateful to learn about Alex. After all, you did feel a tremendous guilt, did you not?”

Steve helped me up and as he did so, whispered in my ear, “You’re playing with fire. I won’t be able to protect you.”

I shook off the delicious sensation produced by his breath on my ear. “I don’t need you.”

“What is that, my dear?” Derek asked from the fireplace. He turned and then smiled at Steve and me. “This unexpected infatuation he has with you is delightful. I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”

Steve looked down, confirming Derek’s observation. I sighed. Fuck me. Like my life isn’t complicated enough.

“Derek, it’s been fun.” I began slowly inching my way back from both of them. “Thanks for the cigarettes and news about Alex, but I need to get going…”

“Leave?” Derek said with a laugh, and then his expression relaxed into its natural evil frown. “You belong to me now.”