Dark Choices - I. T. Lucas Page 0,21

likely joined the program only because Simmons had promised her that she would head it after he retired, and she was power-hungry. Having her dreams and aspirations crushed might push her over the edge.

“Don’t worry, Elijah, we are keeping an eye on you, and we won’t let anything happen to you and yours.”

He believed it. “Thank you.” Whoever the guy was, he was a valuable friend. Besides, he needed Roberts to keep supplying lists of potential paranormal talents.

Where had he met him? And how come he didn’t remember agreeing to the exchange?

There were several options. Head trauma, hypnosis, or compulsion. Was the guy on the other side of the phone like Marisol?

A cold shiver rocked Roberts from head to toe.

His worst fear was losing control of his mental faculties, and that was precisely what compulsion did. He was no longer the master of his actions. His free will had been taken away from him.

The thing was, he still felt like the guy was his friend. Was that part of the compulsion as well?

The man continued in his cultured, friendly tone. “I assume that you had her remove the compulsion from the trainees before firing her?”

“I did.”

“Good. What about the drug tests?”

“The minors no longer participate. The adults do, but with their full consent. Did you compel me to do all those things? I don’t remember anything.”

“That’s how it should be. After handing the phone back to my friend, you will forget him, this conversation, and the list you gave him. You will put a case of beer in your cart and continue shopping.”

“Yes.”

“Hand him the phone, Elijah.”

As Roberts obeyed the command, he looked at the young man standing too close to him and invading his personal space. “Can I help you?”

“I was about to help you. Here is your beer, sir.” The guy pulled out a case of Blue Moon from the fridge and put it in Elijah’s cart. “Have a nice rest of your evening.”

“Thank you.”

13

Syssi

Syssi could barely stifle her excitement, but she’d promised Amanda not to tell Kian about the pregnancy, and she only had to keep it bottled up for a little while longer. Amanda and Dalhu were coming over for dinner tonight, and they would tell him in person.

“What’s the occasion?” Kian asked. “It’s not the anniversary of the kidnapping, and it’s also not the anniversary of Dalhu’s trial.” He turned to Syssi with a panicked expression on his face. “Did I forget one of ours?”

“No, my love.” She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s just a family dinner.”

“It’s not a Friday.”

After Annani’s longest stay in the village, they’d decided to continue the tradition she’d started of having family dinners to celebrate the end of every workweek, but the news couldn’t wait. It was good that she had an excuse prepared. “Kalugal and Jacki are arriving tomorrow, and although they are family too, I thought it would be nice to have a more intimate dinner with just Amanda and Dalhu today.”

He arched a brow. “Why do I have a feeling that you are not telling me something? What is my sister up to this time?”

Damn, Kian knew her too well, and she sucked at hiding things from him.

“Stop being paranoid and change out of your work clothes before they arrive.”

He looked down at his slacks and button-down shirt. “What’s wrong with what I have on? If I change, it would be into more of the same.”

She needed to get him a new wardrobe. Kalugal’s last visit had provided her with the inspiration of how to dress Kian casually and yet elegantly. His cousin had the style perfected.

But since she hadn’t gotten around to it yet, Kian would have to work with what he had.

“You can wear jeans. It’s a casual family dinner.”

Kian smirked. “Should I wear the ones with the holes?”

She loved those. They were old, the fabric was so soft that it molded to his powerful thighs, outlining every muscle, and they were frayed at the bottom. Kian looked good enough to eat in those jeans, especially when he went barefoot.

Her man had such beautiful feet, and they looked particularly sexy framed in the frayed edges of those old jeans.

Syssi fanned herself with her hand. “If you do, I won’t be able to concentrate on the conversation. Wear something else.”

“Not a chance.” Laughing, he ducked into the closet.

“You’re evil,” she called after him.

“It’s payback for whatever you are keeping from me.”

Syssi smiled. He was going to be so happy