Therian Promise(27)
The waitress looked Ava over with a semi-hostile stare before treating Jake to a flirtatious smile. “Anything for you, Mr. Parlain.”
Mr. Parlain? Did he expect such deference from all his employees?
He led her to a table in the far corner of the restaurant. The music was noticeably muted and Ava spotted transparent panels separating the restaurant from the rest of the bar. A different waitress appeared at the table before Jake could settle in his chair.
“Just coffee for me, Maggie.” He motioned to Ava. “Bring Ms. Seymour whatever she wants.”
Ava’s stomach felt tense and empty, but nothing sounded appetizing. Worry for Kyle overshadowed her appetite and made her restless. “Maybe a bowl of soup. I’m not very hungry.”
“You need something substantial. You’re weaker than you realize.”
She glanced at the menu and cringed. How could she sit here munching a burger while Kyle struggled for life?
“Bring her a steak.” He looked at Ava and added, “I presume you eat red meat. Our kind can’t seem to resist it.”
Nothing else sounded any better so she nodded. “That’d be great.”
“How would you like it cooked?” the waitress chimed in.
“Medium rare.”
“Baked potato and salad okay?”
“Sure.”
“Be back in a jiff.”
The waitress sauntered off and Ava looked at Jake. “Why did you presume I need to eat?”
“Therians can sense weakness in others. My tiger is going crazy because you’re so drained.” He scooted his chair closer to the table and lowered his voice. “I will protect you and Kyle until you’re both strong again. Now, enough stalling. Tell me what the hell happened out there.”
Chapter Four
“She’s still unconscious,” Osric snarled as he stomped across the lab.
Carly took a deep breath and carefully controlled her expression before she turned from her computer screen and looked at him. “I told you the new formula is harder to metabolize. She might be out for a few hours yet.”
“You said that a few hours ago.”
When Osric’s plan to interrogate Devon had been foiled by the formula’s side effects, it gave Carly an idea. She’d keep Devon sedated while she attempted to notify the backers. They might not want Osric to take out his frustration on Devon if Devon were more than just a stubborn test subject. She couldn’t sedate Devon indefinitely, but she’d give it a little while longer.
“I don’t know what to tell you.” She kept her legs tucked under her desk and tried to sound indifferent. “Giving her a harsh stimulant at this point would risk serious damage.”
“Well, make damn sure no one else goes near her.” He started for the door then stopped and glared at her again. “Did Milliner know about the test subjects? Did he say anything to you?”
She raised both hands and shook her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. General Milliner delivered them, but he told me nothing specific.”
“The girls are my kin, not close, but blood relatives. And I think that bastard knows it.”
“Why would he intentionally provoke you like that?” Milliner was the type of person to pick at a scab until it bled. Capturing Osric’s relatives for this program was well within the scope of his personality.
“You tell me. You’ve been all buddy-buddy with him lately.”
She scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. “Yesterday was the first time I’ve been in the same room with him. You’re paranoid.”
“Maybe. And maybe I’m starting to see things clearly for the first time. I’m going out for a couple of hours. No one goes near Devon until I return.”
He slammed the door behind him and Carly exhaled. Afraid he’d give it one more try on his way out of the facility, Carly accessed the security feed and watched Devon’s holding cell. The door swung inward a few minutes later and Osric appeared. “So predictable,” she muttered as he stalked across the small room. He patted Devon’s hand and even slapped her hard enough to redden her cheek, but the young woman remained unconscious, completely limp. Carly switched to the corridor cameras and followed his progress until he left the building. “Don’t hurry back on my account.”
“Do you always talk to the computers?”
Carly gasped and spun around in her chair. First General Milliner and now Roberto risking personal appearances? Something about the situation was definitely escalating.
“It’s been an odd night.” Pushing to her feet, she straightened her skirt and offered him her hand. “Were you expected? No one warned me.”