Lucky Strike (Super Harem #1) - Catherine Banks Page 0,53

on and off, but something shiny kept me awake. I turned and stared at electronic components sticking out of the monster’s spine where it would have met the base of his skull.

Slowly, I stood so I wouldn’t disturb Vortex who was asleep on the ground beside me.

Crystal Woman glanced up at me from the card game she was playing with Tremor, but returned to her game after I waved at her.

I walked over to the monster and whispered, “Alfred, take pictures.”

“Yes, Lucky,” he whispered and I heard the click of his camera taking the pictures.

“Send to T,” I whispered.

The monster had wiring coming out of his body along the sides of his spine. It was similar looking to the hounds from before and it gave me a chill that had nothing to do with the setting sun.

I wrapped my arms around myself and glared at the monster before me.

Was my mother involved in this? She was one of the top in her field in her secret life as well as in her villain life.

I needed to have a serious conversation with my parents when I saw them again.

Conveniently, we had a meeting planned for that week to discuss my father’s condition with T to see if he could help.

“You better not be involved,” I muttered angrily.

I wasn’t sure what I would do if she was. I could try to order her to stop, but I didn’t really want to fight Mother if I didn’t have to.

She and I may have not gotten along and I might have been bitter she got rid of me, but I didn’t actually want to fight her or kill her.

It was already going to be weird to see my parents in the same room as T and have him trying to help my dad.

There was definitely something going on and I intended to figure it out.

“Pictures sent,” Alfred whispered.

I nodded and returned to the others.

Just as I sat down, a helicopter flew over and circled before landing on one of the taller buildings nearby.

The Director of the Association climbed out and scowled at us. Her eyes darted to the two dead men and then to me. Our eyes locked and she smiled, but there was nothing happy in that smile.

A chill ran through me, and I wanted to hide behind Vortex.

“She gives me the willies,” Tremor whispered.

Crystal Woman laughed. “What?”

“She gives me the willies, too,” I whispered.

“What does that mean?” Crystal Woman asked.

We all turned to her, Vortex wiping the sleep from his eyes.

“You haven’t heard that before?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No. What the heck does it mean?”

“It means she creeps us out,” I said.

“Why not just say that?” she huffed.

“It’s more accurate to say willies because she makes me shiver in fear, not just uncomfortable,” Tremor said.

The teams repelled down the side of the building and the Director was carried down to us by a hero I hadn’t seen before.

“There are too many new heroes,” I whispered gruffly.

“Agreed,” Vortex said.

“Great job,” The Director said and smiled wide. “You took down this monster with great timing and efficiency. We apologize we couldn’t get to you sooner, but as you know, there were several other monsters to clean up and dispose of.”

A team swept past us and began cutting up the monster and bagging it.

“So, what happened?” she asked.

“Aren’t we supposed to be debriefed at the Association?” Vortex asked and stood.

The rest of us stood as well, huddled closely together.

She smiled. “Certainly. I can understand your desire to return as soon as possible. Come, let’s go and let the crew get to their disposal work.”

I glanced at Crystal Woman and Vortex, but we just followed behind them and then Crystal and the winged hero took turns helping us up onto the next rooftop to the helicopter. Once we were all inside, we headed off towards the Association.

I closed my eyes as I leaned against Vortex.

“I don’t like this,” he whispered.

“Me neither,” I whispered back.

“Stay close,” he whispered and linked our fingers together on one hand.

I squeezed his hand in response.

“So, you have decided not to hide your relationship any longer?” The Director asked across from us.

I cracked open one eyelid and said, “My boyfriends have informed me they do not mind our relationships being made public.”

“So, you overreacted before,” the winged hero beside the Director said with a sneer.

“No,” I said softly, meeting his eyes. “My rights were violated. My choice was taken away from me and pictures were taken in places they should