Page 116 of CHOICE Lover
“I’m working with their business partner, Sable. Just let me do the talking,”he says.
She chuffs, but he ignores her. He trusts Sable to a degree, but this is Electra’s safety they’re talking about, and this time he’s the one having second thoughts.
Under her breath, she mutters, “I see nothing has changed. I guess I have my answer for that.”
“This isn’t the time or place.” Stay the course. Follow the plan. Get the ID. He’s surprised he hasn’t burned a hole in the door with the intensity of his gaze. Right as he’s about to launch himself out of the chair, the doorknob turns, and a familiar dark-haired man with a crooked nose walks in. Res6 cocks his head to the side, studying him.
James steps forward with all the confidence of a successful businessperson. His relaxed demeanor is such a relief, Res6 almost stumbles as he stands to reach out his hand. He read about the customs during Electra’s time and wanted to be prepared. And possibly impress her. “Res6,” he says.
“James,” the other man offers in return. Not releasing his hand, he says, “You know, I still can’t figure out your motivation for turning us in. Especially considering her.” He inclines his head toward a frowning Electra.
Okay, so they’re confronting this now.Well, there’s the robbery and my effort to get in the inspector’s good graces. And Electra put herself at risk, so an ID is more necessary than ever.But Res6 doesn’t voice any of that.
James continues. “I see the marketing angle of getting a competitor shut down—a tactic that only lasted a week, mind you. That can’t be your only reason.”
It’s true. After the day Inspector Wanda took him and Viper to GROW for the inspection, they didn’t find more than a handful of minor violations. Nothing that warranted being permanently shut down. Since they submitted his blanks in place of the outstanding reincarnates, the inspectors didn’t find what they were looking for: morereincarnates. Wanda wasn’t happy. He assumed she’d been expecting to collect a dozen of them as the recall progressed, but it seems IdenTECH got to them in time. Luckier still, it seemed she had no clue as to his involvement. NHOS had no choice but to let GROW reopen on January 1st.
Res6 tugs his hand away and returns to his seat. James sits down across from him. His gaze automatically skims over Electra. “Perhaps I have other reasons.”
“Are you going to keep me guessing?” James asks.
“I didn’t realize we were friends,” Res6 says, crossing his arms and doing his best to convey the matter being closed.
“My partner, Oro1, will be here any minute.” James turns to Electra. “You must be the reincarnate.”
Res6 feels her tense beside him. His every protective instinct fires. He fights the urge to pick her up and haul her back to his cave like her hero Vorack, but since she agreed to this, he doesn’t offer any comfort. She probably wouldn’t accept it if he did.
James offers her a warm smile, continuing, “Like me.”
Res6’s gaze snaps to the other man. To admit that with such a level of nonchalance . . . Either the man has a death wish, or he reads people exceptionally well.
Electra reaches across the table, taking James’s hand. “Electra Lynch. Born 1998. Died 2027. I’ve been back for a few months now. I’m glad to finally meet another normal human being.” She nods in Res6’s direction, and he scoffs. Is she teasing? He can’t tell. Zorg, is he back to being awkward around her again?
“Good, good. And I know what you mean. Trust me,” James says, chuckling, which seems to set Electra at ease. “You’ve come to the right people. If a discreet identity is what you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.”
“Excellent.” He can hear the smile in her voice.
He refuses to glance in her direction. The thought of seeing her pleasing grin directed at James, when she’s only offered him a cordial press of her lips, makes him green with envy.
Across the table, James studies him. “You turned us in for using reincarnates in the fighting ring, but by then, Electra would have already been in existence. Now you’re going to great lengths to protect her. I’m still trying to understand why.”
He shifts, uncomfortable under the scrutiny. In an ill-advised move, he glances at Electra, who’s staring at him with the same bold, assessing gaze.
She smirks. “Good luck with that.”
Before he can navigate the strategic apology he planned, the door swings open. The tall man who must be Oro1 steps through, sweeping his gaze around the room. Does he sense the tension? He must because he strides around the table, holding his arms out wide. Oh Zorg— Res6 hates the formal greeting. Still, he jumps up, taking the other man’s forearms, and leans in to exchange air kisses.
“The French greeting stuck around,” James explains to Electra. “I’m sure you’ve noticed the mishmash of what used to be distinct cultural customs. A little Japanese here, a little Brazilian there. It’s anyone’s guess how it came to be this way.”
Electra chuckles as Oro1 takes his seat, but not before taking her hand and placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. Res6 can’t help but notice the pink that colors her cheeks.
Doing his best to hide his irritation and eager to prove himself the bigger man in front of Electra, he says, “Sable tells me I owe you an apology. I understand my actions upset a woman who is important to you. That wasn’t my intention, and for her distress, I’m sorry.”
“That was K8, the one who deserves your apology. She’s my fiancée now. And yes, if she’s upset, I’m upset,” James says. “But I appreciate your directness.”
“Fiancée?” Electra asks. “I thought marriage was outlawed.”
“The legal arrangement was. NHOS can’t regulate what goes on between two people in love.” When James saysin love, he eyes Res6 knowingly. “I’m sure your good friend Sable can explain it to you.”
