Craning his neck to inspect the cuff, Mal noted that it could easily be mistaken for a fashion statement with its delicate design. It was nothing like the power-dampening handcuffs the police used or the amplifiers the feds gave their pet Elementals.
The governments of the world didn’t like people with powers living free. Elementals either stayed in hiding, registered and lived with dampeners permanently, became criminals, or agreed to use their abilities in defense of their country.
“Why, my dear Prometheus, what have you been up to lately?” Priestly said with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. “Or should I saywho?”
Straightening instantly, Mal hadn’t realized that his stance while examining the cuff allowed one of his many marks from Danny to peek out of his shirt. “That’s personal, Hart. And I’ll ask that you not tell my sister about it if you see her before I do. Though she suspects I have a regular.”
“Didn’t think you dated.”
“I don’t. Conflict of interest most of the time. This is recreation only.”
“Lucky you. I could use some recreation,” Priestly sighed wistfully.
“Any particular reason you’re not pursuing any?” Casting his gaze toward the front of the shop, Mal didn’t mean to get involved, but he couldn’t help his curiosity. Lucy said it was his big brother complex, which he vehemently denied.
Priestly took a moment to process what Mal had implied. “Please. Arty is so…lowbrow.”
“And you’re a snob. I know. But every beauty needs a tumble with a beast now and again. As long as he’s a gentle beast in the bedroom, or else I’ll have to ice him on your behalf.”
That pulled a real smile from Priestly; Mal always managed a few. “I can take care of myself. But thanks. The thing about you, Cho,” he pushed back from the table and summoned some of his flirtatious nature, “is I can never tell if you’re the beauty or the beast when it comes to your sex life.”
“I like to play both sides,” Mal said honestly, “depending on my mood. And my partner.”
“Is that a cultured versus uncultured rebuttal or a sign of your sexuality?” Priestly eyed him just shy of devilish.
Chuckling, Mal leaned in closer to the kid. “This beast you want nothing to do with, Hart. Trust me.”
Priestly rolled his eyes as if disappointed, but Mal could read deeper into his tells; he didn’t want Mal other than harboring a passing crush. But Arty… “Well,” he interrupted Mal’s thoughts, “whatever beauty does have your attention, they certainly don’t have much restraint with their mouth.”
That was true enough. And Danny was indeed a beauty. Endearingly charming. Sexy. Not to mention dirty. And sad.
Mal shouldn’t be affected by that knowledge. Shouldn’t want to know the reasons behind the darkness in the depths ofDanny’s eyes these days or why his smile quivered, struggling to be real. Mal had thought he was reading too much into it, imagining that his hero had some edges to him that hadn’t been there before—until the other night.
The glass. The way Danny’s careful façade had cracked like the shards and he’d been honest with Mal for a moment—really honest. Mal’s affair was with Zeus, but Danny had made a brief appearance that night, before sliding effortlessly back into his masked persona.
Mal could…use that. Yes. That’s what he should do with the knowledge that Danny was faltering enough with some aspect of his life that he’d chosen to seek solace in an enemy. Mal could turn that to his advantage if things got complicated. He could… He…
“Cho?”
Mal looked up to find Priestly staring at him, amused but also questioning. Mal didn’t know what he would do about Danny. He didn’t have a plan. Healwayshad a plan. He needed to come up with one, and quickly, but when he was with Danny, his usual common sense and meticulous focus eluded him.
His cell phone buzzed in his pocket, and he avoided Priestly’s stare by checking it. Speak of the devil.
You free tonight?Danny had texted.
“Just focus on finishing those amplifiers, Hart, and the comms,” Mal said, tucking his phone away until he could answer Danny privately. “I’ll be back with Dom soon.”
“You got it, boss,” Priestly said. “This heist will be one to remember.”
Mal didn’t doubt that for a second.
ß
Danny clutched his phone in his hands to keep from throwing it. It had only been a few days since he and Cho were last together, but while blowjobs on Cho’s sofa had been nice,hot, they weren’t enough.
Can’t tonight. Tomorrow?
Patrol. Can’t miss it again. Not after a second heist yesterday from our mystery thief.
