Chapter 6

"Parker's Valley Resorts," Alec spoke admiringly as they arrived.

Max pulled her ninja up regrettably, noticing that someone working for the resort was expecting to park it for a fee. "My lady," he spoke gentlemanlike, and motioning for her to step out. He also looked surprised that she was arriving to such a classy hotel in a motorcycle.

Alec removed his grip of Max only to immediately place his arms around her waist again when she sped off without warning, leaving the hotel employee staring in confusion. "Max, what the hell was that about? You want me to fall off?"

Max drove on determined, finding her own place to park. "I trust your reflexes."

As she found a spot and pulled over, she found Alec still holding her waist, a gesture she didn't really appreciate. "Alec!" she said and he finally removed his hands.

"What, I just wanted to make sure we were stopped this time."

Max rolled her eyes and stepped off. "Listen, tonight is about-"

"I know," Alec admitted. "What I don't know is how much of the take I'll be getting, considering the fact that you need me. I could easily walk away right now, leaving you with no one. So how much do I get?"

Max glared. Of course she should have known that Alec would want to know what was in it for himself. She really needed the money tonight. "10" she offered, expecting that to end the issue.

"10? Well with that offer…" He paused before finishing, "Let me know how it goes!"

Max grabbed his arm out of her own impatience and desperation. He was right, there was no one else. If there was, she wouldn't have even asked him. "Alec, please. This is important."

When he still didn't agree, she let him in on a little of her struggle, something she didn't like doing. "Alec, I haven't heard from Zack in over 2 months. I tried the contact number he gave me, but it's been disconnected."

Alec didn't know what that meant exactly. "So this is about Zack?"

Max nodded, "Well, yes. Logan is running low right now on his funds. I need to get money to search for Zack."

Alec nodded.

Max continued, "And the cure."

Alec felt himself tense inside, but always the good soldier, he remained completely calm on the outside. He should have guessed it was about the cure. It always was with Max. It was like she placed fixing her relationship with an Ordinary above even her brothers. It wasn't about Zack. It was about Logan. Alec didn't like doing favors for Logan, even if it was what Max wanted. She should have been more concerned about her brother.

Alec shook aside his thoughts. He shouldn't care anyway, it wasn't like he too felt they were all some big family. They were her Unit. She felt some connection and responsibility toward them. He knew she wouldn't smile again until she saw they were okay. Then he found himself wondering exactly when he'd started to care about Max smiling or not.

"30" Alec offered. He couldn't let her think she owned him.

"Deal," Max replied, staring at her watch again. "We've got less than 10 minutes before it starts!" They both took off, hurrying to make it in time.

"Room 141," Max told the man at the front desk.

He looked her over suspiciously, but walked she and Alec over to the room.

Alec nudged Max and whispered so only a transgenic could hear, "How'd you know that was the room?"

Max gave him a look. "I still have some informants."

Alec would have made a smart remark, but he kept it to himself, as he didn't want Max to enter the room already flustered. Alec wondered what Max had been like before he'd met her. Before she'd been influenced by Logan Cale. He guessed that at one time, Max probably did this type of work often. But now she was actually slightly nervous it wouldn't work because it had been so long. And on top of that, it was all for Cale. Alec really didn't feel that Cale was a great influence. How often was Max putting herself at risk of being discovered to help out Logan?

"Let me do the talking," Max told Alec right before they were in front of the room.

Great, Alec thought. She wasn't invited. Now he knew why she wanted him there. This could be trouble.

The hotel employee didn't leave as Max knocked on the door. Clearly he was waiting to see if they would be accepted or not, he probably figured he'd have to escort them out immediately. Surely this room held their best guests, the ones who spent the most money and had a good hold on the well-being of the resort.

A familiar man to Max opened the door, smiling at the sight of Max. She'd cleaned out the house the last time she'd been there, at this point over a year ago. It was strangely comfortable to see that some things never change. This time, the ditz routine wouldn't work.

"Amelio!" Max said with a smile, realizing he recognized her. "It's been a while. Got any extra seats for tonight?" She flashed him a pleading look along with her biggest smile.

"Jewel," Amelio said, still holding a smile on his face. (Max had to slightly elbow Alec to stifle his laugh at the mention of her fake name). "It's good to see you. I wish we could spend the night together, but unfortunately, I like keeping my money."

Damn. Max thought, he definitely remembered the last time. "It's been over a year, hasn't it?" Max asked, "I haven't done this in a long time, I'm kind of rusty. You would have heard if I was going around taking everyone's cash."

Amelio nodded. He couldn't deny that was true. But he stood firmly, "No, sorry, Jewel, we've got a full house tonight." He stepped slightly aside to let them see that there were no more seats, and all the men sitting there let her see their guns.

Amelio motioned toward the hotel escort, "It's okay, you can leave now."

Once the man was gone, Alec spoke up, which made Max even more uneasy. "Hi there, Amelio, was it?" he held out his hand for Amelio to shake, "Good to meet you. So I have something here you might find interesting. Jewel babe here has the cash tonight, but I'm here to offer something else." He lifted his jacket, showing something tucked in his pocket.

Max would have gasped out loud if she wasn't working so hard to keep her composure. Alec had black market pills of some kind.

Amelio eyed them greedily. Alec knew he wouldn't refuse even the chance to get these. They were not easy to come by, even in his line of work. Amelio then eyed Alec suspiciously. "What did you say your name was?"

"I didn't," was the only answer Alec gave, though still with his trademark smirk. "These can be considered a gift, for letting us crash your party here."

Amelio nodded, "Accepted." He pointed to 2 of the men sitting at the table. They got out of their seats, looking upset. "It looks like we have room for you 2 after all! Have a seat."