Avery, tired of Howie’s leers, dragged Winston outside. He was watching them through the window, but she didn’t mind that so much. Through a sheet of glass, he was actually pretty tolerable.
Winston gave her a curious look. “What did you say to Tara? She seems happier.”
“Oh, not much.”
“I didn’t think she wanted to marry me that badly.”
Avery scowled at him. “You don’t have to worry about Tara – she in no way wants to marry you.”
“Really?”
“You’re not disappointed, are you?” she asked watching him carefully.
“Nah.” Knowing she didn’t want him either was a relief.
“Some men like having women falling all over them.”
He scoffed. He’d never had a woman fall all over him, and he was fine with that. Having his mom hopelessly devoted to him was more than he could handle.
“You have nothing to worry about.”
“Oh, I wasn’t worried.” Avery flicked her hair over her shoulder, and he considered that any man would have to be mad not to be smitten with this woman. “I just wanted to make sure I didn’t have to challenge Tara for my man.”
“No challenge necessary – and not just because you’d kill her.”
“Well…” She tried to look modest, and she half managed it, but honestly, Avery beating Tara? That was an absolute no-brainer.
“So where do we stand with our case?”
Avery quirked an eyebrow. “Our case?”
“Yeah, we’re a team, right?”
She smiled. “Yeah, I guess we are, but you won’t catch me in a skintight uniform, at least, not outside the bedroom.”
“Ah…” His beast drooled.
“No progress yet. I want to talk to Tom Murphy.”
His protective hackles rose. Yes, she was totally tough and kick-ass, but the guy sounded like a real piece of work. “Not alone.”
“No, but I can’t take you with me.”
“Why?”
Avery grinned. “Because you’re a vigilante hero and this is official SEA business.”
“Oh yeah.” They kissed. “But what about Gretchen?”
“She’s being watched, but so far she’s been at home doing bupkis.”
“What can I do?”
She shrugged. “Sit tight, and draw me some more pictures of Wolfman.”
“Hmmm.” Disappointment swelled. “I’d rather be helping.”
“Honey, I got this – it’s my job. There’s no exciting crime fighting going on right now – just asking questions and hoping to get answers.”
“Hmmm.” His beast humphed.
Avery kissed him again, ignoring Howie’s eyes on them.
“Mmmm. See you tonight?”
“Definitely. I’ll climb in through your window – leave it open.”
She snickered. “You can use the door. Actually nah, the window’s hotter. You stay here and stay safe. I’ll see you soon.”
*
Avery walked away with a spring in her step, but Winston felt a little dejected. Surely there was something he could do. He itched to get his Wolfman costume out.
Avery fell for him when he was Wolfman – she thought he was fearless and strong and while she didn’t necessarily seem disappointed by him at that moment, how long before he did disappoint her? How long before she was whisked away like his high school girlfriend?
No, Wolfman must ride!
Perhaps he could borrow his mother’s car…
*
Avery groaned as she found Andrea and Adelle standing by her car. Well, actually, Adelle was kicking her car, but she soon stopped when Avery showed up. Her lioness snarled.
Why oh why did she have to be born into this family of craziness?!
“Do you guys have me chipped or something?” growled Avery.
“Mom wants to see you,” declared Andrea, as if it were something profound – or important at least.
“Good for her. I’m busy right now, but maybe I can swing by later.”
Andrea flicked out her claws and scraped them through Avery’s paintwork.
“Now!”
Avery narrowed her eyes as her lioness prepared to be let loose. “You really shouldn’t have done that.”
*
Kay stared at Eleven. He was throwing himself against the bars of his cage.
She should turn on the juice and stop him. If he got out, he could hurt someone. He’d already killed four innocent people.
She should do something.
He crashed against the cage, loosening the door until it finally opened with a sharp clatter.
The other test subjects went wild as he prowled free. Kay just watched him dispassionately.
He lumbered over to her, and she closed her eyes, waiting for the killing blow. She felt his awful breath on her, felt him snuffling her hair and then nothing.
There were shouts, loud growls, screams, and shots, and then Kay walked over to the switch and opened up all the cages. Then, things got a lot worse.