Tainted Hearts (12 page)

“Now that’s between the lady and—”

“I want him to supervise my interaction with
PURE. Knowing Mr. Sinclair, if they have him marked for death, then
he knows more about them than Job himself.”

“If he knows so much about them, why is he
hiding? Why did he have his face enhanced rather than using this
information you’re presuming he has?”

“Remember that Trojan horse.” Marc laughed.
“I’m hiding in plain sight.”

“Subject A must take priority,” Tuesday
said. “Her life is in imminent danger whereas Raeanne went to the
PURE stronghold of her own free will. Besides, Raeanne is a grown
woman. Subject A comes first.”

Bettencourt shifted his angry gaze back to
her. “Agreed. But once the child is stabilized, do we have a
deal?”

“If you keep your mouth shut and let me work
with Marc,” she stressed equally, “I’ll take a daytrip to the PURE
stronghold.”

Tears blurred Tuesday’s vision as she
watched Marc Sinclair brush his daughter’s hair away from her face.
He fussed with the covers and lifted her frail hand to his lips.
Each touch was so careful, so tender. Devotion radiated from his
expression and love burned in his tear-bright eyes.

“I can’t believe that’s really you.” Elise’s
voice sounded breathless and strained.

“Close your eyes and listen to my voice.
Only the outside has changed.”

“Our eyes don’t match anymore. Can I have
mine changed?”

“Let’s get you well again then we’ll talk
about it. How do you feel? I know traveling takes it out of
you.”

“I feel like I could fly,” Elise replied
with a silly smile. “But you should have your mouth washed out with
soap.”

He kissed her forehead, scooting his chair
closer to her bed. “And why is that? I haven’t said anything
profane since I walked in the room.”

“You lied to me,” the little girl reminded
him. “Actually, you lied to Aunt Laura but it’s the same
thing.”

“What did I lie about?”

She used her pointed chin to indicate
Tuesday, who loitered in the doorway feeling intrusive.

“Is that Tuesday Fitzpatrick or isn’t
it?”

He smiled. “Well, I doubt Ms. Fitzpatrick
appreciates being referred to as an it, but yes.”

“And is she or is not she the woman you were
with when you called me?”

Elise’s slightly scrambled grammar made
Tuesday smile. The girl was trying so hard to sound grown-up.

“Yes. Ms. Fitzpatrick was with me when I
called. I was negotiating a deal for your heart and I didn’t know
if I could pull it off or not. That’s why I lied to you. I didn’t
want you to get your hopes up if I…”

“We don’t have to worry about it anymore,”
she told him. “Tuesday’s going to fix me.”

A tear escaped the corner of Tuesday’s eye.
She quickly brushed it away. “I don’t actually do the procedure,
Elise. Trust me, you want a doctor for that. But my boss has
arranged for our best, and only our best, to work on you.”

“One was in already and she said two more
would come.”

Tuesday nodded. “That sounds about right.
They’ll get you ready—they call that prepped—and then they’ll take
you down to where they actually put the heart inside you. Then,
you’ll be really sleepy for a while, but your dad will be there
when you wake up so it shouldn’t be too bad.”

“Ms. Tuesday, I’ve waited for this day my
whole life long. I’m not afraid.”

“Well, I need to check in with my boss so
I’ll leave you two alone.”

“Just rest for a minute, sweetheart,” Marc
told Elise. “I’ll be right back.”

He followed Tuesday into the corridor. She
couldn’t remember ever feeling this emotional. Joy promised to
chase away her tears but fear waited in the wings. As soon as Elise
stabilized, Tuesday would be expected to face Job.

They walked a few steps beyond Elise’s open
doorway. Tuesday waited for him to speak. His gaze moved leisurely
over her face then dipped lower. Definitely not professional!

“What do you want?” she asked, when he just
stared at her.

“We’ll get to that in a minute.”

Cool tiles pressed against her back as he
stalked toward her. The urge to run unfurled with blinding speed. A
smile curved the corners of her mouth. So much for the dominating
queen.

“Vonne really is waiting for me.”

“This won’t take long. I just want to make a
couple things clear, while there’s no audience.”

She bristled. “I’m listening.”

“That was quite a performance on the
shuttle. Was it for his benefit or mine?”

“I meant every word. I won’t be bullied by
either of you and…”

“And?”

“And I need your help with PURE. I don’t
trust Bettencourt.”

“But you trust me?” She looked away. His
hand caught her chin, bringing her gaze back to his. “Answer the
question. Do you trust me?”

“I shouldn’t. Lord knows you’ve given me
every reason to mistrust you.”

“But?”

She shouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “I
trust you.”

“Good. You’re going to have to trust me if
you hope to stay alive inside the PURE stronghold. You’re going to
have to do exactly what I tell you and not question my
decisions.”

“I said I trusted you. I didn’t say I’d be
your slave.”

“Women are treated like slaves inside PURE.
They’re expected to be docile, obedient and submissive.”

Tuesday laughed. “Then, why would any woman
stay there? Why would Job think I would be interested in—”

“This isn’t the time or place for this
conversation. I just wanted to see if you were serious about what
you started on the transport.”

“I am. But you’re right. You need to
concentrate on Elise right now.”

He started to turn, then he put his hands on
the wall, caging her with his arms. “I owe you my daughter’s life
and I will not forget it, but I want you to know what ignited at
the lodge has nothing to do with Elise.”

Unsure what he expected her to say, she
nodded.

Leaning in close, he looked deep into her
eyes and promised, “We will make love, and when we do, you’ll know
the only reason I’m with you is because it’s what we both
want.”

With her pulse racing and tears blurring her
vision, Tuesday watched him disappear back inside Elise’s room. He
wanted her, cared for her, was willing to explore their attraction.
Heat tingled through her abdomen. A silly grin parted her lips and
she pressed her hand over her pounding heart.

“You haven’t heard a word I’ve said,” Vonne
complained. “If I’m going to stand in a bathroom so we can talk,
the least you can do is listen to me.”

Tuesday smiled sheepishly. “Between the
general and Marc, they’ve got this whole building bugged. I’m not
even sure we’re safe here but the running water should help.”

“This is quite a week you’re having and
you’re only two days into it.” Vonne shifted her weight from one
foot to the other. “You’re kidnapped by the CEO of
Sinclair-Dietrich and blackmailed by The President of United North
America. You’re moving up in the world.”

“Can you accuse the president of blackmail,
or is that treason?”

“I think you can make the accusation.” Vonne
smiled. “Just not to his face.”

“And Edward Sinclair is still CEO of
Sinclair-Dietrich.”

“Details. Everyone knows where the real
power lies. Marcus Sinclair.” She said his name on a sigh. “I still
can’t believe you were with Marcus Sinclair. Do you intend to bring
charges against him?”

Tuesday’s brows scrunched up over her eyes.
“Of course not. It wasn’t his fault he had to kidnap me.”

Vonne laughed. She threw back her head and
indulged in a very unladylike guffaw. The echoing stalls of their
unconventional setting made her mirth more abrasive. “Did he
brainwash you, darling? Feed you happy pills? Care to explain why
he
had
to kidnap you?”

“The Priority Matrix,” Tuesday said simply.
“The committee classified Elise as a Triple Z.”

“I didn’t know there was such a thing.”

“She’s needed this heart since birth. That’s
eight years, Vonne. She’s waited eight years.”

“The cafeteria.”

Confused by her sudden topic change, Tuesday
asked, “What about it?”

“It’s noisy and huge. There’s no way they
could bug every corner of the cafeteria.”

Tuesday always ate lunch in her office, so
there would have been no reason to plant surveillance equipment in
the cafeteria. They found a table near the center of the room,
ignoring the curious glances.

“Are they staring at you or me?” Vonne asked
quietly.

“Well, you do own the company. When was the
last time you were in here?”

She shrugged. “Never. We should probably at
least get drinks or they’ll really wonder why we’re here.”

“Good point. What would you like? It will
probably cause less of a stir if I go through the line.”

“Hot tea, orange pekoe, but decaffeinated,
or I guess just green tea if they don’t have anything
civilized.”

Laughing, Tuesday didn’t bother to point out
the uselessness of the order. She’d be lucky if they had hot tea.
After selecting their beverages, Tuesday returned to Vonne and
placed a transparent tray in the center of the table.

“So, tell me all about him,” Vonne prompted,
as Tuesday returned to her seat.

“Herbal tea was as close as I could come,
but I brought six to choose from.”

“You’re stalling. It’s not like you to be
evasive.”

She picked up a straw and pushed it into her
cola. “There’s nothing much to tell. He ran out of options, so he
took me to a place where I could help him think of a new plan.”

One dark eyebrow shot up in silent
challenge.

“You should have seen how Bettencourt’s men
treated him. As far as the world is concerned I was with Marc on a
romantic getaway and we were rudely interrupted by unwanted
guests.”

“Were you?”

“Were we what?”

“Were you rudely interrupted by unwanted
guests?” Vonne persisted. “Had this turned into a romantic
getaway?”

“No.” Tuesday glanced down at her soft
drink, then back at her friend.

Vonne’s dark gaze locked with hers. “But it
might have? Is there something between you and Marc?”

She’d known Vonne too long to lie. Somehow
she always knew. “I don’t know. Maybe. It’s complicated.”

“Complicated how? He’s unmarried,
unattached, richer than me and handsome as sin.”

“I don’t like his new face,” Tuesday said
too quickly.

“He had his face changed?”

That was right. Vonne hadn’t seen him yet.
“Yes.”

“Why? Never mind. I don’t need, or want, to
be mixed up in all this. If no one recognizes her father, it will
be that much easier to keep Subject A anonymous. She should be out
of surgery in about six hours, then we’re home free. I’m glad this
is over!”

Tuesday cringed.

“It is over, isn’t it?”

“As soon as we’re sure Subject A is
stabilized, I’m going to need some time off.”

Vonne covered her eyes with one slender hand
and shook her head.

The television newscaster droned on about
border disputes in Western China. Tuesday smiled. There was at
least one conflict in the world that didn’t involve her. Snug in
ugly wool socks, her feet were propped on the coffee table, crossed
at the ankle. She’d soaked in a bath, shampooed her hair and donned
her favorite baggy, flannel pajamas. Oversized mice chased bright
pink cats across the surface of the fuzzy material. None of it made
sense, which was exactly what she loved about the garment.

Reaching for the wine bottle, she refilled
her coffee mug.

A person-to-person page interrupted the
television. Sydney. Just when she was starting to relax. Bracing
herself for an ever frustrating conversation with her sister,
Tuesday authorized the transmission.

Sydney’s image faded in over the newscast.
She’d changed her hairstyle again. The shoulder-length mass faded
from navy at the roots to powder blue at the tips and the color of
her eyes now mirrored the gradient.

“So, why have you been avoiding me?” Sydney
demanded without preamble. Two years her junior, Sydney was part
pest and part prima donna.

“I haven’t been avoiding you, exactly.” She
offered a guilty smile. “I’ve been ridiculously busy.”

Sydney crossed her arms over her chest and
tilted her head at a disapproving angle. “You’ve been ridiculously
busy since you were fifteen.”

“Did you want something in particular or did
you just call to annoy me?”

“What do you know about PURE? Charming PJs
by the way.”

Tuesday’s heart missed a beat. She set her
wine mug aside and scooted to the edge of the sofa. “They’re
dangerous, Syd. What made you ask?”

“One of their recruiters was at our office
today. She hung around in the break room and talked to anyone who’d
listen to her. Some of the things she said were pretty
interesting.”

“Did she speak to you directly? Did you tell
her your name?”

Her cobalt eyebrows drew together over her
newly blue eyes. “You sound really paranoid. You know that? Why
would she care who I— Oh, for God’s sake. Does everything have to
be about you?”

“Listen to me, Sydney. Job has been—”

“The recruiter had no idea I was the
pathetic sister of world-renowned Tuesday Fitzpatrick. I’m sure she
would have been licking my shoes and kissing my ass if she’d
known.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“The hell it wasn’t. I happen to be a True
Pure too, you know. Did it ever occur to you that she might have
been genuinely interested in me?”

“They are not genuinely interested in
anyone. They are a fanatical cult run by a madman. If anyone from
PURE comes near you again, promise me you’ll tell me. Don’t talk to
them and don’t you dare agree to go anywhere with any of them.”