Chapter 4

Nothing Less Than the Best

Alec ran a hand through his hair as he stood on the street corner considering his options. He was running out of suitable venues to rip off, and after his little show-down with some steelheads the week before, he knew better than to intrude on British Eddie's turf. He'd had no trouble handling them, but X5 or not, he didn't relish the idea of having to deal with the freaky looking cyborgs on a daily basis.

Alec's principal source of income was from B&E. An occasional prize-fight where he left the ring, undefeated and with pockets lined with cash didn't hurt, but burglary suited him best. It was something he could do in the late hours of the night or early hours of the morning, leaving him with plenty of time to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Which brought him back to his current dilemma. With British Eddie taking over half of the sectors in Seattle, Alec was left with slim-pickings - unless he could come up with a new stomping ground to call his own; his own turf, his own rules and swag for him alone.

He watched as a line of young men slowly made their way through the doorway down the street. The sign overhead read: Jam Boney Male Escorts. Sounded like prostitution to him, but the babes he'd seen entering the place were high-class. He could fuck for money; it was all good if it gave him a free-pass into the homes of the rich. Besides, in the past he'd done it to kill, so why not do it to steal? The personal gain was tempting incentive.

His mind made up, Alec sauntered lazily towards Jam Boney. It was time to acquaint himself with his new boss. No way would they turn down perfection and that's what he was; genetically enhanced male perfection.

Cynthia McEachin looked up briefly from her appointment book. The phone was ringing off the hook and there was a line of impatient men waiting to apply for jobs, but Cindy was unable to tear her eyes away from the young man who'd just entered Jam Boney.

The setting sun lit his dark blonde hair from behind, giving it the appearance of pure gold. His perfectly tanned skin glowed. His perfect cheekbones and straight nose were complimented by the most luscious set of full, enticing lips she had ever seen on a male. And his face was the perfect picture of masculine beauty - finished off with a pair of exquisite hazel eyes, fringed in long lashes.

Her eyes trailed down from his face, taking in the long neck, broad shoulders and well sculpted torso. The stranger tossed his jacket over his shoulder and Original Cindy could see hard muscles flex beneath his tight t-shirt. Her gaze traveled lower, to his narrow hips. His faded black jeans hugged in all the right places, accentuating a delectable ass and firm, strong thighs.

Cindy continued to stare, so preoccupied by the newcomer that she failed to hear one of her least favorite male escorts call her name.

"CIIIIIINDY!" Logan yelled for the third time in as many minutes. "Hello? Focus, will you? I have to get out of here and I'm still waiting for my paycheck!" He was curt and rude. Cindy was roused from her trance-like state at the word 'paycheck'.

She whirled to face the man. "You expecting' money, honey? 'Cuz if that's all you waitin' for, you shoulda left long before. Original Cindy aint payin' no low-life skeez who don't do no work!" Her eyes flitted over his body, taking in his unkempt appearance. "And it aint no big surprise. Jus' look at you! It makes sense, all them fine females sendin' you back! Y'aint quite the stud the honeys want to be seen with, that's what."

Logan sputtered indignantly. "Just because you're a lesbian doesn't mean I'm not studly! I am too studly! Besides, I'm well educated! The society ladies like an intellectual man!"

Cindy's snort was accompanied by the collective tittering of all those present in the reception area. "If you're so smart, why you be hangin' with that tramp girlfriend of yours? Tricia? Trina? She's no good, and she just be bringin' you down, Logan. You were tolerable once." She sniffed derisively and turned back to examine the gorgeous man. She waved Logan away. "Go home before I change my mind and fire your ass!"

Logan scowled and muttered, "Her name is TINA, bitch." He stomped angrily past the young man, throwing daggers with his eyes.

The hazel-eyed man flashed Cindy a breathtaking smile. She was sure it had melted hearts of stone.

"Is it always this exciting?" he asked, extending his hand. "I'm Alec. I was wondering-" Cindy cut him off with a wave of her hand, then stopped mid-air and reached out to complete the handshake.

"It's aiight, boo. Original Cindy. I run this joint. And if you're looking for a job, you're hired." She smiled brightly at him.

Like she'd turn me down. "So, what's a guy gotta do? I've never done this before," he smiled apologetically, brushing a strand of hair out of his eyes.

Cindy handed him a clipboard with a pile of application papers. "Just fill these in. I'll need some form of identification - driver's license, passport, something with a photograph. Oh, and something verifying your current address."

Alec smirked. He'd expected nothing less and came fully prepared with fake documents and stolen and altered verification. The previous occupant of his apartment had mysteriously disappeared and the bills kept coming. It didn't take a genius to make the changes. Just a little B&E to get his hands on a computer printer and photocopier. All of which he'd done the night before at the local library.

He took the forms from her, offered his thanks and made his way to the row of chairs by the window. Muttered curses and jealous remarks were thrown his way, but Alec had long ago learned to ignore the flak. It's not their fault that their genes failed them, he thought, letting the comments roll off as quickly as they came.

Taking a seat, he began the tedious job of filling in the blanks, making things up as he went along. Education? Huh. Do I write 'trained in stealth, weaponry, military strategy, hand to hand combat, bomb squad, field med'? Okay, I'll make do with Military Academy. Experience? Again, I doubt they'd like to know that I was taught to impersonate people so I could gather info, or that I graduated to solo operative status - assassinations - at age 13. It's probably safer to say I was an actor.

He finished up quickly, attached the required documentation, photos and a personal assessment and approached the front desk to return the clipboard to the proprietor.

Cindy quickly looked over the papers in her hand before handing Alec an envelope. "McDowell, huh? You say you're from Everett? Did y'know a Kayd McDowell back there?"

Alec lied easily. "Like it says there, I spent most my life in Military training. Sorry."

Suddenly, Cindy's hand shot out and she grabbed a dark haired man by the throat. "Original Cindy's got eyes in the back of this here head o' hers. Clean out your locker, Gammo. You're fired."

Looks of shock spread between the men in the room. Cindy flashed a tight smile at her newest employee. "This here no-good, lazy-ass, deadbeat bum thinks Original Cindy don't know he be scammin' and dealin' drugs under her roof. What y'all do in your own time aint no business of mine, but there aint no drugs at Jam Boney. I catch you usin' and abusin' - you're out on your ass. Am I makin' myself clear?"

Alec raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Yes, ma'am." I'm gonna have to watch myself. She's one tough cookie.

Alec walked toward the row of lockers at the back Jam Boney and looked around. The place was classy but not overdone. It had a homey feel, not too masculine nor too feminine; just the right blend to make members of both species comfortable. Nice. Coffee machine, donuts, fruit. I'll be damned.

From his position at the back of the room he could hear Original Cindy yelling into the phone. "What do you mean you need someone long term? We don't do long term, honey!" There was a pause, while Cindy muttered and paced the small space behind her desk before pounding her fist on the table. "Aiight, aiight! As a favor to Sketchy. I'll have someone there by six!" She slammed the phone down and fisted her hands in her hair. "Aaaaargh!"

She flipped through her phone book until she found what she was looking for. "Cale, Cale, Cale. Be home, asshole," she muttered.

Eyes still narrowed and face tight, she spoke sweetly into the phone "Logan! Good, you're home. Original Cindy's got a job for ya, and it's long term." Pause. "Uh huh. Yeah, that's right." Another pause. "Be at Fogle Towers, 6327 Hampton Place." She paused yet again. "NO, fool! That's up in Sector 9! Just be on time - 6 o'clock." She bashed the receiver onto the desk repeatedly before putting the phone down.

An attractive redheaded woman sauntered over to the desk and put her hand on Cindy's shoulder. "Original, Princess, why the hell do you keep him on? Cale's a bum."

Cindy just shook her head. "For times like these, sugar, god help me. For times like these. Sketchy met some honey on the plane. Hear this, Marie. He promised her we'd help her out. She needs a long-term, stand-in boyfriend. Jesus, and I thought he'd stopped hittin' on random honeys!"

Marie chuckled and kissed her girl square on the lips. "You're too nice, Princess. Let me take away your troubles for the night? Original, come home for a little Marie-fest."

Cindy laughed. "Aiight, boo. Let me forward the phone to my cell. As for you bums," she called out to the men milling about. "You know what you gotta do. Anyone not on call is free to leave. Last one out locks up. That'd be you, Mario," she said, winking at a large, lazy man, snoozing next to the kitchenette, a half eaten donut hanging from his lips.

"Aiight, clear out! See y'all bright 'n early in the mornin'," she said with a wave. As an afterthought she called over her shoulder "McDowell, Alec, make sure you stick around tonight. If anything comes up last minute, Mario will setcha up." Wrapping her arm around Marie, they stepped out into the evening air.

Max was pacing the living room. She glanced at her watch, sighing in frustration as she watched the second hand inch its way round the dial. 6:23pm. Shit. I'm gonna be late because of this idiot! What the hell was I thinking, relying on strangers! The intercom chimed and brought her to her senses. Grabbing her purse, she made a dash for the elevator and hurried down to the lobby.

She looked around, searching for her escort when her eyes fell on a figure leaning lazily against the marble wall. What the fuck is this! she thought, mentally cursing the gods and powers that be for her bad luck.

The man was of medium height and slim build, but that's where the decency ended. His scruffy appearance was more than she could handle on frazzled nerves.

"Aaaaaargh!" she growled quietly, clenching her fists at her sides. Oh no! No, no, no, no, NO! No fucking way is this happening to me!

Pale blue eyes locked on her chocolate ones. She continued to peruse his face whilst seething as he took a step towards her. The man looked like he rarely saw a razor and if he did, he clearly didn't know what it was for. The overall package made Quentin Tarantino seem appealing. Her escort's hair was slicked back with what looked like could be the entire contents of a container, caked so thick she could probably use a single strand to slice through wire.

I hired the guy 'cuz I want someone who looks good to be my 'date'! This is bullshit! Turning to the man she made a heavy show of checking him out, a sweet smile plastered on her lips, giving the allusion that she found him attractive. I think I'm gonna hork! she thought, cringing inwardly.

"You must be the man of the hour," she said, extending her hand gingerly.

He gripped her hand eagerly. "That's me! Logan Cale at your service," he drawled, dragging out the word 'service' in what he must have thought was a sexy purr. Max fought back a grimace of disgust.

"I'm Max. Um, I need stop off somewhere on the way, if you don't mind." Her smile didn't reach her eyes, but Logan was too busy staring at her body to notice. He nodded mutely and offered her his arm in a chivalrous manner. Max moved away slightly and walked off, exiting the building and approaching the hired car. She bent to whisper to the driver as Logan opened the door for her. Smiling yet again, feeling as if her face would crack from the forced expression, she climbed into the car. Logan circled the vehicle and took a seat by her side.

The car sped off and Logan turned to look at Max, an attempt at a seductive look gracing his - middle aged, Max. He looks old! - face. "So, where do you need to stop? And what's tonight's occasion? My boss didn't have much time for details."

Max eyed him warily. "We have to stop off at Jam Boney."

When she added nothing further he prodded. "Mind if I ask why?"

She smiled darkly, her reply short and cryptic. "To settle a score."

The car stopped and Max practically jumped out in her haste to get away from her companion. Pushing the door open, her eyes lit on a heavyset man who was dozing at the front desk. Banging her fist on the surface she roused the sleeping man. He blinked to focus and his eyes met the angry glare of an extremely pissed off, and very beautiful young woman.

"Can I help ya, miss?" he said with a yawn, covering his mouth too late as a blast of deathly evil breath assaulted her sensitive nose.

Wrinkling her face in disgust, Max replied coldly. "I'd like to see the proprietor, now."

The man flinched from the cold tone and equally icy glare. "Sh-sh-she's not here."

"Then get her here," Max ground out. She was already over half an hour late. Better late with a date that on time with grime. Her mental pep-talk was doing nothing to ease her irritation.

Mario picked up the phone and quickly dialed Cindy's number.

"Cindy?" he started. "I-"

Whatcha want, fool? Don't you know Original Cindy's enjoyin' off-hours with her lickety-boo!

"Well, y-y-you've got an i-i-irate client who w-w-wants to see you." he stuttered in reply.

Lemme talk.

Mario extended the phone to Max.

"Are you Original Cindy?" she asked, her voice tightly controlled. I will not make a scene. I will not lose my temper.

That's right. What can I do for you? Cindy's reply was strained and laced with sarcasm and the barest hint of agitation.

Max caught on to the vibe and lost it. "You can get your ass over here and fix this mess!" she shouted over the line. "I did not hire Slug-Ugly to be my date!"

Chill, boo, I'll be right over.

Max handed the phone back to Mario. "I'll wait here if you don't mind," her words were polite, her tone anything but. Mario shook his head, replacing the phone in the cradle. He looked at Logan, noticing him for the first time since the angry client had stalked in the door.

Logan raised his eyebrows, eyes widening in realization. "You brought me back here? Are you trading me in? What is it with you women!" He was incredulous and his shock was quickly turning to anger. "And who're you calling slug-ugly, bitch?"

Max glanced up at him in awe. Is the man so deluded he thinks he's hot! "I think it's pretty obvious, Logan."

The few escorts who were still in the building made their way to the front entrance as the scene escalated to a shouting frenzy.

"Fuck you! You rich whores all think you're better than the rest. But deep down you're all just a bunch of filthy sluts!" Logan yelled at Max, his face turning a frightening shade of purple.

No man calls me a slut! Her blood was boiling. "IF I were a slut, I wouldn't mind slumming with an ass like you, would I? Get off your high horse and rub a couple brain cells together, will you? Hot stuff you're not!" she retorted angrily.

Max and Logan volleyed choice words at each other, Max never once backing down. "How do people like you get jobs like this anyway? Was your boss that desperate?" she taunted him. "If I'd wanted a repulsive jerk to accompany me tonight I would have gone scum-hunting in the local park!"

Alec was watching the entire display from the sidelines, eyes dancing with amusement. This woman had fire and ice in both her eyes and words. It was pure entertainment watching her exchange curses and comebacks with equal fervor. He looked her over carefully, admiringly. I get why she wouldn't want him, he thought with a grin. Man's as ugly as a cockroach - wait, shouldn't insult the cockroach.

Just when it looked like the situation would explode into a fistfight, Alec stepped in to intervene.

"Hey, Logie, cool it will ya? Give the lady a break," he smirked at the other man. "Step back, take a deeeeep breath, accept the rejection gracefully and...walk away." He spread his hand wide, indicating to Logan his presence was most definitely unwelcome.

Logan went from purple to a sickly color that had everyone wondering if he'd burst every blood vessel in his head. "Fuck you, newbie. You don't know shit about this line of work!"

"Maybe not, Log, but I do know this. This lady," he gestured towards Max who was eyeing him with open admiration, "doesn't seem to enjoy your company. I think that kinda clinches things, dontcha think?"

Logan launched himself at Alec, ready to tear his eyes out. Alec simply put up a hand in front of his face, catching Logan square in the nose, knocking his glasses off. As the other man stumbled, he trod on his glasses, shattering the lenses.

Sniggers filled the room as Logan lost all ability to speak. His eyes shot daggers and Alec could swear his enhanced visual capabilities were picking up the steam pouring out of Logan's ears. He smiled cockily and stepped back to lean against the wall, catching Max's grateful smile as he did so. He winked at her.

God, that is one gorgeous male. She licked her lips in cognizance of his masculine perfection. Her thoughts were interrupted as the door was flung open and a wet and upset Cindy entered Jam Boney.

"You her?" she asked, purposefully neglecting to introduce herself, fringing on the rude to her newest client and silently sending telepathic curses to Sketchy for getting her into this jam.

Max nodded. "I want a replacement."

Cindy stared open mouthed. Ugh, not again, she thought, glancing at Logan and ruing the day she'd hired him. "This is highly irregular. And I don't have anyone else available right now," she added defensively.

Max stared her down. "Highly irregular? What, sending," she pointed at Logan, "...what's the word I'm looking for, um...EW!...as my date!"

Logan glowered at them both and then huffed off; being ignored and rejected was not to his liking. As he walked past, he purposely knocked into Alec, whose knowing smirk irked him no end. Cindy watched the silent exchange from the corner of her eye. She almost missed Alec's muttering. Almost.

"Welcome to Jam Boney, where we're lean, mean, and oh-so-keen," he grinned as he muttered at Logan. "I may be new, buddy, but at least I got what it takes. You got the oh-so-keen down pat, but you'll never make the cut." Alec saw Logan's fingers clench into a fist and he patted the other man on the shoulder, his touch more a warning than anything else. "Don't bother; I'll knock ya flat before you can even raise your hand."

Logan glared, about to hit Alec anyway, when Cindy inserted her body between the two men. "Enough. Cale, get your scrawny ass outta my face. She don't want you, she don't get you. You, on the other hand," she said, a smile lifting the corners of her mouth as she looked Alec up and down, "I'm sure Ms. Guevara would be pleased if you joined her this evening."

Max caught Cindy's eye and nodded enthusiastically. "That's settled then. You'll find the formal wear in the back room. I'm sure there's something there that'll fit you." She swatted Alec on the ass and pushed him in the direction of the changing room. Turning back to Max she offered her apologies. "I'm sorry you had to go through this. Logan was the perfect choice for long-term situations. Most of the men have other jobs and aren't cut out for long term dealios. You got the newbie, but he's definitely eye candy, and he aint got any other jobs that I'm aware. I won't charge ya for tonight; consider it compensation for the inconvenience."

Max smiled widely. "That works for me. Thanks for helping resolve this. There was no way I could show up with - and no offence to you - that Logan guy. As for payment? If hot-boy here is as smart as he is good looking, you'll get your money. Fair's fair and I always keep my word." Max and Original Cindy shook hands and shared satisfied smiles.

They both looked up suddenly as Alec sauntered towards them, their jaws dropping simultaneously, eyes taking in the figure approaching. The last thought in Max's mind as Alec smiled sensually and offered her his arm was: My god, he looks like a sexy present begging to be unwrapped. She shook herself mentally at the thought. Get over it, girl. Strictly business. Remember why you're here? No entanglements, no complications. She sighed lightly as she walked out the door and into the rain, arm in arm with her handsome escort. It was going to be a long evening.

TBC

Chapter 5