Chapter 14
Caitlin stared at the X5s open-mouthed. Zack had told her of their enhanced abilities and she had witnessed Zack's expressive display of martial arts before, but that was nothing compared to seeing a 6'2 man crumple with a single blow. At her side Zack permitted himself a small smile of approval.
"Good job, solider."
Jondy smiled at her brother and his beloved. Jondy had liked Caitlin from the start. She was not only beautiful and intelligent, she could challenge Maxie when it came to sarcastic retorts and that was saying something. Jondy had given both Maxie and Zack many pep talks, or as she liked to call them "de-Manticoreisation sessions" on not running from their feelings. She had had to bang a few heads into a few walls, literally, but things seemed to be coming together at last.
"Dear Lord! What in name of all creation is going on here?" Mrs. Cale voice pierced the cool night air. Caitlin sighed and turned to face her horrified mother. Mrs. Cale gasped when she saw the form of Brad lying on ground. She fixed and accusing glare on the man whole had stolen her daughter's heart. He stared back at her, his face unreadable
.
Before her meddlesome mother could breathe a word Caitlin placed herself between them.
"Mother! Your perfect prince was not who you thought he was" as she said this she lent down and picked up the gun laying by Brad's outstretched hand.
Caitlin strolled up to her mother and placed the weapon in her trembling hands. "You might want to cancel his invitation to the Cale family gathering," she said dryly.
An hour later Max and Zack calmly stood before a nervous Wendy Cale. For the last twenty minutes the house had been a whirlwind of police and press. Now Mrs. Cale felt obligated to try and make things right with the mysterious strangers.
"Now I know we didn't get of to the best start," she began
Max snorted. "It might have something to do with you calling us gold diggers." she bit out dryly.
"Ah. Yes about I just want what's best for my baby girl and I consider Logan more like a son then a nephew. I just want them to be safe and happy." her voice trembled slightly as she finished.
Zack clenched his fists "You want her to be happy? Is setting her up with every phony millionaire in the freaking country making her happy? His voice shook angrily. Max placed a restraining hand on his forearm. Genuine tears filled Wendy's eyes.
"I'm….so sorry I didn't mean to hurt her please how can I make it up to you? Lets go out to dinner maybe get to know each other? Her eyes shone with sincerity. Max and Zack exchanged glances.
Alleyway outside restaurant
A woman dressed in skimpy clothing is puffing on a cigarette. Suddenly a man appears out of the shadows, the woman turns around startled.
"You got the money?" she asked trying to sound confident.
"The money is there, you have to keep your any of the deal bring the subject out here." the man
replied.
"Yeah, I'll bring her. Just make sure you have the fifty thousand," she said as she walked to the entrance of the restaurant.
Inside the restaurant
Mrs. Cale led the party to the main table in the restaurant. Max and Logan sat side by side at the rectangular table. Zack and Caitlin sat opposite them. Jondy had stayed at the estate wanting to spend some time with her father.
Suddenly streams of pre-pulse music filled the air; couples began to fill the dance floor. Zack turned to Caitlin and offered her his hand. She accepted with a soft smile. Logan and Max soon joined them.
*Desperate for changing,
Starving for truth.
Closer to where I started
Chasing after you
I'm falling even more in love with you,
Letting go of all I've held onto.
I'm standing here until you make me move,
Hanging by a moment here with you.
Forgetting all I'm lacking,
Completely incomplete.
I'll take your invitation,
You take all of me.
I'm falling even more in love with you,
Letting go of all I've held onto.
I'm standing here until you make me move,
Hanging by a moment here with you.
I'm living for the only thing I know,
I'm running and I'm not quite sure where to go.
I don't know what I'm diving into.
Just hanging by a moment here with you.
There is nothing else to lose,
There is nothing else to find.
There is nothing in the world that could change my mind.
There is nothing else*
After the song had ended the two couples moved back to the table. Mrs. Cale called a waiter over and they ordered their meals. As the waited for the food they talked, Wendy found them both extremely witty and intelligent if a bit crude, Suddenly a famine voice cried, "Caitlin!"
Caitlin whirled around and yelled, "Lilly?!"
The two women rushed forward and embraced. Caitlin dragged a reluctant Lilly to meet Zack.
"Lilly, this is my boyfriend Zack, this is my childhood friend Lilly."
After all the introductions had been made Caitlin asked Lilly to join them. Lilly pulled Caitlin aside and asked to speak to her alone. Caitlin turned to the others and smiled, "I'll be back in a moment," she said.
Lilly led Caitlin through the restaurant and out into the street. As they walked along the dimly lit street Lilly kept glancing around nervously.
"What's wrong my old friend?" asked Caitlin
Before she could reply six guys leapt out of the ally. Caitlin instantly fell into a defense crouch as the six lunched. Before she could move she felt a sudden sharp pain in her arm. Caitlin turned around to see Lilly holding a syringe.
"Sorry Cat."
Caitlin felt a wave of dizziness overwhelm her as she staged toward Lilly.
Then everything when black.