Temptress Read online

  “The worst.” I hadn’t felt this ragged since I took down the supervillain training cell in Miami. And that was ten to one. The more powers I got, the more they grated on my body.

  “Sushi?” Seth asked. I nodded.

  “I’ll have them clear the chef’s table.” He strode ahead. “I have to check the floor, but mind if I join you afterward?”

  “The more the merrier.” Seth would help distract from the pain. He waved and hurried ahead.

  By the time I slipped through the service entrance, Seth was gone, and the chef’s table was set for one. I flopped into the booth, and the head chef came to pour my dish of sake. “What can I cook for you this evening, Ms. Ray?”

  Most of the kitchen workers had already gone home. Only a few stations were still cranking out food for the bar. My stomach rumbled from the smell of frying spring rolls. “Nothing special, Noriyuki-san. I don’t want to keep you late.”

  Chef Noriyuki narrowed his eyes. “You are too thin, Ms. Ray.”

  “I’m not—” I started to defend myself, but the chef had already moved off to bark instructions at the remaining brigade. He wouldn’t listen to me, and I didn’t have the energy to argue. Instead I sipped my sake and watched the chefs, growing more ravenous as new smells filled the kitchen.

  One of the waiters presented me with a tray of high-end sashimi and a mountain of spicy tuna rolls. My favorites. I’d barely started chomping into them when the hot courses arrived. Chef Noriyuki’s assistants heaped the table with everything I loved. Sweet potato tempura, teriyaki vegetables, spring rolls and a steaming cauldron of udon noodles with beautifully sliced veggies that made my mouth water.

  “Is there anything else you would like?” Chef Noriyuki approached the table.

  “This is amazing. I love you, Noriyuki-san. Seriously. Daisuki.”

  The chef was actually starting to blush when a commotion started at the server’s entrance. All I could glimpse through the doors was a tall man and the kitchen workers trying to shoo him away. “I’m supposed to meet Jenny Ray. She’s here, isn’t she?”

  My spirits sank. It hadn’t taken Tank long to find me. Or to figure out my last name. Here I’d been doing such a great job pretending he didn’t exist.

  “This is your friend?” Chef Noriyuki asked. “I can call security if he is bothering you.”

  “You can let him in. Sorry for the trouble.” Chef Noriyuki bowed slightly and called to the other workers. They parted, allowing Tank into the kitchen. He’d found a new shirt somewhere, and slid into the booth like he’d been invited. Why did I have to look like hell when he looked like he just stepped out of a comic book?

  “How’d you find me?” I popped a spicy tuna roll into my mouth.

  “All you have in your fridge is soy sauce and wasabi. I figured you’d go to the closest place to get Japanese. Lucky you live in a hotel.”

  “That’s not all I have.” I took a sip of sake.

  “No. You also have more liquor than a frat house. It doesn’t make sense.” Tank gestured at the kitchen. “How do you afford it? The penthouse. The chef’s table. You can’t be doing this on police payroll.”

  “Not that it’s your business, but I freelance for the police. I work for the casino.” I slurped into my udon, closing my eyes to savor the rich flavor.

  Tank wouldn’t quit. “What do you do?”

  “Security. And you ask a lot of questions.”

  “Isn’t that how normal people get their information?” Tank had a point. The data he could get from a room was overwhelming. Without his power he had to feel lost, but I was too hungry to humor him.

  “We’ll try your powers again later. Just relax and eat something. The tempura will make you forget this ever happened.” I waved, and one of the bustling waiters brought over a spare place setting.

  Tank handled the chopsticks like a pro, plucking a piece of sweet potato off the platter and dipping it the sauce bowl. “That’s amazing.”

  “Right? If Chef Noriyuki were twenty years younger and without the cute little family, we’d be married.” My toes practically curled when I bit into a spring roll.

  “You’ll embarrass Noriyuki-san again, Jenny.” A shadow fell over my plate. Seth had shucked his coat and stood with his sleeves rolled. He looked a little more gangster as he eyed Tank. “Hope I’m not intruding.”

  “Nope. Join the fun.” I slid deeper into the booth so that Seth and Tank wouldn’t have to sit next to each other. Somehow I didn’t think they’d get along.

  “Seth, this is—” I couldn’t decide how to introduce him. Luckily Seth was quick enough that I didn’t need a lie.

  “No introduction necessary. I’m Seth Billings, the pit boss.” He reached across the table to shake Tank’s hand. “It’s an honor. What brings you to Vegas?”

  “Bachelor party.” Tank returned the handshake before helping himself to another piece of my tempura.

  “We heard a rumor some supers would be in town this weekend. Having a good time?” Seth refilled my sake.

  “It’s growing on me,” Tank said.

  When I looked up from my udon, both of them were glaring. Of course Tank wanted to be the Alpha male. I was just surprised that Seth was playing along. He looked away first, laying a hand on my arm. “Sorry, Jenny. You must be exhausted, but would you mind doing a quick sweep? There’s some commotion at the tables, and security can’t get a good angle.”

  “No worries.” I’d rather poke myself in the eye, but seeing as my room and board were comped, I had to pull my weight. Though I had no intention of walking all the way out to the floor. I clicked on my X-rays and gazed through the walls.

  At least fifty people clustered around one of the gaming tables, where a man had amassed a stack of chips taller than his drink. It only took an instant to spot his ploy, but just in case, I swept the rest of the floor and did a quick scan of the guest rooms. I scrunched my eyes and brought my vision back to the table. It stung almost as bad as the laser beams.

  “You okay, Jenny?” Seth patted my arm.

  “Fine, but you’ve got some work to do. That’s our boy, Ricky, wearing some pretty high-end prosthetics. He also has an ear-piece, and that dealer’s wearing some kind of transmitter.”

  Seth’s face darkened. “I’ll take care of it.”

  I grabbed his sleeve before he could rise from the table. “And there’s a girl passed out in 518 who could use a stomach pump.”

  He took my hand and kissed it with his customary wink. “You’re amazing.”

  Tank chuckled as Seth hustled out of the kitchen.

  “What?” I glared.

  “Are you blind? He’s obsessed with you.”

  The noodles dropped from my chopsticks. Seth was a nice guy. We’d spent plenty of time together on security work, but it had always been professional. I hadn’t flirted once during that conversation.

  “Read his mind if you don’t believe me.” Tank gestured. Seth was on his way back to us with a cell phone pressed to his ear. He couldn’t have a thing for me, but now that Tank suggested it, I had to know. Against my better judgment, I slipped into Seth’s mind.

  —can’t be hooking up with that super-bastard, can she? She’s too good for him. Too good for me. But still—

  Whoever was on the phone distracted him, and I cut the powers before my headache could get worse. I felt uneasy, like I’d peeked into the presents before Christmas and it was too late to put the wrapping paper back. I glared at Tank, who wore a knowing smile. It must suck to know what everyone thought about you all the time. Maybe he was lost without his powers, but it had to be a vacation too.

  “Sorry again, Jenny.” Seth handed me his cell. “Bellagio for you.”

  “Steve?” Despite the warm udon in my belly, I felt cold. The Bellagio’s chief of security never called to chat. “What’s up?”

  “Jenny! We’ve got a code black. How soon can you get here?”

  “On my way.” I handed Seth his phone. I’d rather eat a fist
ful of wasabi than leave the kitchen, but duty called. “Code black. I have to run.”

  “Damn,” Seth said. “Take the limo?”

  “It’s available?” Flying would be quicker than waiting in the cab line, but I didn’t have it in me, especially if I needed to mop up a few rogue supers.

  “For you.” Seth clicked on the cell and made another call while I slid out of the booth.

  Tank grabbed my hand. “What’s the hurry?”

  “I have to go deal with some naughty supers.” I pulled free of his grasp.

  “I’m not letting you free until we settle this,” Tank said.

  “Suit yourself.” I shrugged and grabbed a tuna roll for the road. “But what if you’re recognized? Or one of these guys is an old nemesis? You want them knowing you don’t have your powers?”

  “Who would know the difference?” Tank said. “Besides, you’ll protect me.”

  “Right.” But walking around with a superhero stud made me stand out that much more, and I didn’t want to be noticed. I flipped up my hood. “As long as you follow my lead.”

  As we made our way into the main lobby, Tank’s presence drew most of the looks away from me. Even if the crowds didn’t recognize him as a hero—which they did, more often than not—he drew attention with his confident stride. I shuffled along in my flip-flops, trying to fade into the background.

  One of the Palms’ limos waited at the curb outside. Seth waved us over, and I motioned for Tank to get in first.

  “You’ll be careful?” Seth leaned on the top of the door, just a little too close for professional. I tried not to wince. I was so going to overanalyze him now. Like I needed a more complicated life.

  “Like a toddler at Swarovski.” I smiled as he shut the door.

  “I’m curious.” Tank had slipped to the other side of the limo and leaned against the leather with arms stretched around the headrests.

  “What now?” I hoped he was done talking about Seth. He and I were not going to discuss my relationships.

  “You could’ve caught that cheater yourself. Why give up the glory?” Tank cocked his head to the side.

  “I’m not the glory-getting kind of girl. That’s for the real heroes.” Ones who had their own powers, instead of acquired ones that ripped their bodies apart. Ones who didn’t end a mission half-drowned in a men’s room.

  I hadn’t always lived in the shadows, but I didn’t remember anything else, and the idea of going into the open sparked an unease I couldn’t explain. Haze hung over my pre-Vegas days. Whatever had happened back then, it hadn’t been pretty. I figured I’d chewed on a power that didn’t agree with me and landed semi-amnesia.

  Maybe that should’ve worried me more, but it made sense. My arsenal had plenty of dark powers I never used. Ever.

  So, no glory for me. I was happy doing what I could with what I had. I didn’t need action figures.

  “With all your powers?” Tank’s stare deepened. “You could do more good than any of us.”

  “All my powers aren’t so great.” If he thought I wasn’t living up to my potential, I’d trade him any time. I peeked out the window. Traffic was bumper to bumper, and we had a few minutes before we made it to the Bellagio, but I still needed to change, which meant using another downside power. I didn’t exactly trust Tank, but he’d help me out as long as I had what he wanted. “I’ll demonstrate for you. Just remind me what I’m doing if I get fuzzy afterward.”

  “Remind—”

  I cut him off with a raised hand and closed my eyes to concentrate. Picturing my closet, I centered my will around the large make-up case buried under a pile of heels. It resonated, and I pulled.

  With a thump, the case fell onto the seat. Then the limo started to spin, and I tipped forward.

  A man grabbed my shoulders. “Jenny?”

  Chapter Four

  “Who are you?” My head pounded. What was I doing in a limo?

  “You’re kidding, right?” The man pushed me back into my seat and held me steady. “Tank? You stole my powers?”

  “That’s a weird name.” I tried to make eye contact, but it seemed like two or three of him revolved around me. Was he my boyfriend? I wouldn’t be with him if I didn’t know him, and he wouldn’t know my real name if we weren’t close. Did I have a boyfriend?

  “What did you just do?” Tank picked up the case and popped the lid. A little red dress rumpled around a pair of stilettos and pots of make-up.

  That much I recognized. “I wanted to change, right? Where are we going?”

  “The Bellagio.” Tank handed the case over with narrowed eyes. “Apparently there’s a code black.”

  “That sucks.” I stripped off my hoodie and the T-shirt underneath. Still woozy, I started to shimmy out of my jeans when Tank grabbed my wrist.

  “What?” I tried to shake him off, but he wouldn’t give.

  “What’s going on?” Tank’s hand was strong, but his gaze looked confused.

  “Does it bother you? I’m wearing…” My bra was a little more scandalous than I’d imagined, with a lot of black lace but not so much solid fabric. Judging by the edge of my panties, it was a matching set. I lifted an eyebrow at Tank. “How well do we know each other?”

  “Not that well.” Tank released my arm. “But I’m wondering if we should get better acquainted.” For such a big, confident-looking guy, the words were unsure. And kind of sweet.

  The limo had mostly stopped spinning and I shifted to straddle him in my half-off jeans. Tank placed light hands on my thighs—just enough to make sure I didn’t fall. I liked his reaction. He met my gaze with heat in his dark eyes, but didn’t go for the kill. He wanted me to make the first move.

  I could do that.

  I tilted his head back and softly sucked his lower lip. Tank’s hands tightened, and before I could take a breath, he was kissing back. As my stomach fluttered, energy built between us. It hummed in my ears, harmonizing with our heavy breaths until it burst and I slipped into Tank’s mind.

  —shouldn’t be doing this. Damn it. Is she playing me again? I’m not stopping unless she does. Maybe I’ll get my powers—

  I gasped and jumped away from him like I’d been electrocuted. Tank. Steel. The misplaced powers. Code black. And the goddamn make-up case I’d summoned without an explanation. I whipped the dress over my head while Tank’s brows furrowed in confusion. It was my own fault.

  “What did you do to lose your memory?” he asked as he resettled on the other bank of seats.

  “Summoning. It’s never hit me that hard before.” At least he wasn’t questioning my behavior. I usually got dizzy and disoriented, but I’d never had a full-scale personality change like that before. He could’ve been anyone, yet I assumed we knew each other.

  Let’s make out, stranger. Great decision-making.

  “So you can summon anything you want?” Tank asked.

  “Not even close.” With the dress in place, I slipped off my jeans and reached for the make-up. I tapped the case’s handle. “The guy I took the powers from could manipulate liquid mercury. He worked at a factory that made money pouches for banks and armored trucks. He’d sew in a pocket of mercury, then summon it back and steal a few hundred thousand straight out of the vault. Copied the trick in all of my luggage. I can also use it on thermometers and sometimes fish. Very glamorous.” I was still flushed, but talking was starting to cool me down.

  Tank sat quietly while I swiped on mascara. I didn’t have time to do anything more than that and lip-gloss. The limo was just pulling into the turning lane for the Bellagio.

  “How many powers do you have?”

  “Who knows?” It had to be at least a hundred. The Feds probably had a file with a ballpark number and the targets I’d taken on the books, but they didn’t know everything. I’d been kind of a vigilante during the years I should’ve stayed in college, and not even I remembered. I’d blanked out as much of that part of my past as I could. Plus the past haze. My brain was more Swiss-cheesy than I’d
ever admit to him.

  The limo rolled to a stop, and the driver headed to open our door. I grabbed Tank’s arm. “A code black is multiple supers. We won’t know how many until we’re in. You sure you want to go?”

  “I can handle myself,” he said, “and I want to see you in action.”

  “I’ll try not to disappoint.” I didn’t feel ready for action. I wanted sweat pants and Egyptian cotton sheets, but I’d been saying that for hours. It was already one of the longest nights on record with plenty of trouble left on my plate.

  Tank offered me his arm, and I let him lead me toward the doors. If he weren’t so recognizable, we’d look like any other couple headed back to our room after a night on the town. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Either way we were in mission mode and I didn’t have time to worry about whatever was between us. He cast his gaze around and the rigid muscles in his arm said he was ready if things went off.

  Backup. That would be a change.

  Steve waited in the lobby, shifting back and forth and looking fidgety for security. As soon as he caught my eye, he strode for us, sneaking an earpiece into my hand as he passed. I popped it in, but didn’t have long to wait.

  “Jenny? You ready?” Steve’s voice came through the link. I nodded and he continued. “We’ve had slots paying jackpots all night, and there’s definitely a team running our tables, but we can’t figure out how they’re scamming. The cameras are patchy, and our guys on the floor can’t nail anyone. The two main suspects are in the high-stakes poker room.”

  I nodded again, leading Tank toward the VIP area. “You play poker?”

  “Some,” Tank said.

  “Good. I’ll buy you in.” I tugged him through the crowds, toward the cage for the high-stakes players. Late as it was getting, plenty of die-hards had money to burn. Slots pinged and flickered, and thinner, but more intense, groups clustered around gaming tables.

  The girl behind the cage bars jumped to attention. “What can we do for you, Ms. Ray?”

  I fished out my wallet and flipped through the casino cards. Tank snorted, but I nudged his hip to silence him. So what if I had a card for every casino on the strip? Though I did need to alphabetize them. After a lot more thumbing through, I pulled out the Player’s Club card and slid it across the counter. “I need twenty grand in chips, please.”