CHAPTER 49
JET
Who do heroes hold in the dark, when their job is done? Who could love a hero more than the people who already adore them and practically worship them as gods?
Lynda Kidder, “Heroes Among Us,” New Chicago Tribune, March 5, 2112
What do you think you’re doing?” Jet gleeped and stepped back from her bedroom window, then turned to see Bruce in the doorway, arms crossed, his face set in a mask of righteous fury. Jet smiled sheepishly, said, “You’re back early. Should have taken you at least another half hour to run that errand.”
Bruce stormed over to her, glanced out the window and down to the street, and Jet knew she’d been busted. He growled, “Tell me you had nothing to do with the little old lady who’s smacking an unconscious gangbanger with her purse.”
“Um …”
“Jet …”
“What was I supposed to do, let her get mugged?” Light, she was whining. Steeling her voice, she said, “It was just a little creeper. They didn’t even notice it.”
“In case you’ve forgotten, honey, you’re on bed rest for one more day.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t call me ‘honey.’”
Ignoring her outburst, he said, “Know what bed rest means? Your ass is supposed to be in that bed. Resting.”
Jet glared at him. “You don’t get to talk to me like that.”
“I sure as hell do. While you’re recuperating from almost dying, you’re in my care. And that means,” he added, his voice dripping with a combination of menace and compassion, “I take care of you. Now get back into bed, Jet.”
Pouting, she crossed her arms defiantly. Her Runner didn’t get to boss her around like this. Period. “I wasn’t going to let him rob her,” she said.
“Hate to break it to you, honey, but you’re not the only hero on the block. Or the entire Complex. Let them earn their paychecks.”
“I said don’t call me that!”
“And I said get back into bed.”
They glared at each other, and damn it all to Darkness, Jet couldn’t help but notice how bright his eyes were when they lit with passion. I can’t be attracted to him, she told herself as she scowled at him. He’s an arrogant, demanding bear of a man.
Who looked so freaking sexy that it made her panties damp.
“Jet,” he said softly, his voice a low growl that did very maddening things to her, “so help me, if you don’t start behaving, I’m going to lace your food with so many sedatives that you won’t be able to get out of bed to go to the bathroom.”
Her eyes widened from the threat. “You’ll be the one changing bedpans, so I think that’s a lose-lose situation.”
“I’m willing to do some dirty work for you. And if you still don’t behave, I’m going to spank you.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Honey, there’s a lot that I’d dare for the right reason. Now, are you getting back into bed? Or do I drug you up and carry you there, then swat your ass?”
And he would too. Jet knew that from the sheer determination on his face. “You’re an insufferable bastard.”
“No. I’m your Runner. And until you’re given a clean bill of health, I’m also your caregiver. It’s my job, and I’m paid well to do it.” He pointed at her bed. “Get going, Jet.”
She frowned at him, then grudgingly complied. “It was just a creeper. Barely cost me any energy.”
“Any energy is too much energy.” He wagged a finger at her, scolding her like a child. “Unless you want all of Faith Healer’s work to unravel and get yourself grounded for the better part of two months while your shattered bones heal the old-fashioned way, you better stop pushing yourself too hard.”
“I should fire you.”
“Ah, you love me and you know it.”
“As soon as Terry gets back here for the evening shift,” she muttered, climbing into her hated bed, “I’m absolutely firing you.”
“You said that yesterday too. And yet when I showed up to relieve Terry this morning, you didn’t tell me you’d call Corp if I didn’t get out of your apartment.”
She ignored how his very proximity made her mind almost short out from lust. Voice curt, she said, “Maybe that’s just because I wanted to give you a chance to get another job first. Line yourself up as a Runner for someone else. Steele, maybe.”
“Want to know what I think?”
“Not particularly.”
He grinned. “I think it’s because you like that I don’t fawn all over you like the other Runners did. I think you like that I treat you like a normal person, not some goddess made flesh.”
At that, Jet grew quiet. When she didn’t object to Bruce settling the comforter around her, he said, “Did I hit a nerve?”
“A little,” she admitted. “But you’re only half-right. My Runners either adore me, or they’re terrified of me. I’m either the legendary Lady of Shadows, or I’m a freak that they can’t wait to get away from.”
“You’re not a freak.”
Her lips twitched. “Tell that to Everyman.”
“The Everyman Society can go suck it up their collective asses. You’re no freak, Jet. None of the extrahumans are.”
She blew out a frustrated sigh. Mentioning Everyman reminded her that Bruce hadn’t been able to reach Frostbite. And Night had proven equally uncommunicative. She hated being cut off.
Bruce sat on the edge of the bed, facing her. “You know, I can understand the adoration your Runners had.” His voice was soft, gentle. “I wasn’t kidding when I told you I was a huge fan. Have been ever since you stopped Crusher Jones from looting First National five years ago. I was there.”
“You were?”
“One of the many on the rubble of the floor, hoping that I wouldn’t be the one Crusher used as an example to all the cops outside.” He smiled grimly, and his eyes focused on something Jet couldn’t see. “He’d taken out the security guard with those meat hooks of his, and the main lobby was totaled. One of the tellers hadn’t moved fast enough, and he’d slammed the back of her head. I still hear the crunch, sometimes.”
“The sounds can be hard,” she said, “especially at night.” Especially in the dark.
Bruce’s eyes lit as his smile broadened, transforming his face from ruggedly handsome into something truly beautiful. “I remember the room growing cold, and the shadows coming alive and wrapping Crusher like a present. And then you just appeared, stepping out of nothing, telling him he’s under arrest. And like that, the crisis was over.”
Jet remembered. It had been one of her first solo missions after graduating from Academy, becoming a full member of the Squadron. She’d refused a partner.
She’d never request a partner again. They inevitably left you—either they died, or they betrayed you.
“I was a kid,” she murmured. “Still wet behind the ears. Looking to prove myself to the Squadron.”
“You proved yourself to me that day.” He took her hand, squeezed. “You’re the reason I became interested in the Academy at all.”
She let out a startled laugh. “You became a Runner because of me?”
“Sort of. I had an interesting run-in with Night, and he pretty much got me the job.”
“Wow.” She tried to imagine what Bruce could have done to capture Night’s attention. “You must have really impressed him.”
He loosened his hold on her hand and slowly trailed his thumb over her palm. “Hey, I’m an impressive guy.”
“Among other things,” she said, her voice level to disguise how her heartbeat was rocketing. Light, if this is how he made her feel just by touching her hand, what would it be like if he touched her—
“And you’re a very impressive woman.”
“I’m a hero,” she murmured, feeling light-headed and tingly. Maybe she was having a relapse. Yes, that had to be it. She wasn’t healed at all … “Being a woman is secondary. Duty first. Always.”
He leaned in—so close now that she could barely breathe. “You’re off duty for two more days.”
“Yes …”
“So it’s time for the woman in you to get the attention she deserves.”
“Bruce …”
Then his lips were on hers, and her protest faded as she melted into his kiss.
When she woke two hours later, naked, her sheets rumpled, her body so very, very relaxed and a permagrin on her face, it was well after six o’clock. She heard someone moving around the apartment—humming a song. That had to be Terry; she liked to sing to the radio.
Bruce was long gone. But next to her pillow was a note:
If I’m not fired, I’ll see you tomorrow. Can’t wait.—B
Jet’s grin stretched even broader. She couldn’t wait, either. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.