Vivid Avowed (The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy Book 3) Read online

There was no way in hell Tyler was leaving my side. His shoulders tensed just a fraction, but he managed to keep a neutral look on his face as he leaned his forearms on the table. “I have time.”

  Victor nodded before turning his full attention to me. “I’m a busy man, so I won’t beat around the bush. Evelyn, I’d like to make you an offer. The standard offer that Gemma outlined stands, of course—we’re always happy to offer positions to extraordinary Variants and Vitals. You would be an asset. But I’d like to extend an additional, rather unique offer to you also. We all know you’re more than an exceptional Vital. Despite your Variants’ refusal to discuss the matter, which I completely understand”—he held a hand out to Tyler, giving him a conciliatory look—“I think we’ve all seen the footage of the unfortunate incident at the senator’s residence in Manhattan. The glowing.”

  I narrowed my eyes and wrapped my arms around my chest before I could stop myself. I had no idea what the glowing meant, and I didn’t like being confronted with it.

  “What is this about?” Tyler asked.

  Victor kept his keen gaze on me. “I’m offering you the opportunity to figure out what it is. How it works, what it can do, what the limitations and dangers are.” My eyebrows rose as he continued. “I would like to offer you access to some of our top researchers and scientists, a safe environment in which to test your particular . . . situation.”

  “Why was I not consulted on this? Or even informed of it?” A hint of frustration leaked into Tyler’s clipped tone. No one else at the table spoke, but they watched the two men verbally sparring with ravenous eyes.

  “I didn’t have approval to make the offer until earlier this morning. There was nothing to inform you of. And to be quite frank, I wanted to bring this directly to Evelyn. I know you’ve shut down offers of a similar nature from Bradford Hills Institute.”

  Bradford Hills Institute had made offers like this?

  My immediate reaction was to get pissed off at Tyler. How dare he make such a decision for me? Did the others know too? But I made a conscious effort to keep the irritation from showing on my face. After the initial knee-jerk reaction, I realized exactly why Tyler hadn’t entertained the idea. We knew I could use my glowing to kill a Variant—draw the Light right out of them—but the rest of the world didn’t. I had enough of a target on my back without exposing me, us, to more suspicion from powerful people.

  Tyler looked at me out of the corner of his eye, but this time, I spoke first. “The reasons why we turned down the offer from Bradford Hills Institute are between my Bond and me.” I placed my hand lightly on Tyler’s forearm, surprised at how calm my voice sounded. “But since you took time out of your day to make this offer to me personally, I’m happy to consider it.”

  I smiled politely, pushing as much Light to Tyler as I could before removing my hand. Hopefully the extra boost would help him figure out what Victor’s angle was, but I also hoped he’d use it to see what I was about to do. We needed help figuring this glowing shit out; Victor Flint had the resources—I just needed to make sure we got as much out of this as possible.

  Clasping my hands together, I leaned on my elbows. Tyler moved in the same instant, settling back in his chair and placing a comforting hand low on my back.

  He was sending everyone at the table, including me, a clear message—I was taking the lead now.

  Victor didn’t miss a thing. His calculating gaze flicked between us, and he tilted his head, an amused smile briefly passing over his features.

  “Excellent.” He leaned forward too, mirroring my position. “A team of researchers would be at your disposal. Ideally, we would have you come in two to three times per week for a few hours. They’ll run tests to see if we can identify any anomalies in your blood, your DNA, and your physiology, then they’ll observe and measure you in the glowing state both alone and with one or several of your Bonded Variants present so they can observe the transfer. We will leave no stone unturned until we know all modern science can discover about your situation.”

  I didn’t like how he kept referring to it as a “situation,” as if it had happened by accident and wasn’t permanent. This was part of who I was. Yes, it could be dangerous, but it was pretty fucking extraordinary too. Even so, I was glad to see how hard he was trying to sell me on his offer. “Thank you for not beating around the bush. I’ll offer you the same courtesy. I’d like to know what’s in this for you?”

  “Whatever do you mean?” He smiled, his tone slightly teasing. He knew I’d figured him out; he just wanted to hear me say it.

  “Firstly, as you said, you’re a busy man—you wouldn’t waste your time on something if it wasn’t important to you. Second, Bradford Hills Institute is an educational facility. Their primary focus is education, knowledge. Melior Group is a business. Your bottom line will always be the bottom line. Clearly you believe you can learn something from studying me that will allow you to make money. My best guess would be a new method for delivering Light to your active agents remotely. That would be invaluable in the field.”

  His smile only widened. “Very clever. I would genuinely like to help you, Miss Maynard.” I was no longer Evelyn. That was good—he was treating me with more respect. “But of course, you are correct. This is a business, and my team’s secondary purpose would be to develop technology with what we learn from studying you.”

  Tyler remained reclined. “Victor, you’re trying to use my Vital as a prototype for new tech that could make you billions. Can you not see why I would have an issue with this?”

  “Of course I understand your reluctance, but—”

  “I’d like to be paid,” I cut him off. I was done with pleasantries and I was getting hungry. “This is business, and you stand to make a large amount of money. I want an hourly rate and a cut of the profits from whatever prototype comes from these experiments. I want my Variants to be compensated for their time too.”

  For a beat, Victor watched me with a calculating look. “Fair enough. We can arrange an hourly rate for yourself, Mr. Paul, and Mr. Mason. As Mr. Gabriel and Mr. Zacarias are already employed by us, this will simply be part of their working day. And you can have two percent of the profits for the first five years on the market. In exchange, you make yourself available two times per week for a minimum of three hours.”

  “Ten percent for the lifetime of the product, and Tyler and Alec get extra pay—this is well outside either of their roles.” Neither one of them needed the money, they were all rolling in it, but I needed to ask for things so Victor would feel as if he won when I finally agreed. “Three hours, two times per month. We all have lives, Mr. Flint. And you leave Josh and Ethan alone. Your recruiters don’t go after them. Ever. If they choose to join Melior Group at some point, then so be it, but they will not be pressured into it. No offense.” I threw a quick glance at Gemma, barely registering the look of surprised respect on her face. “And I’d like clearance for the three of us. I’d like Tyler and Alec to be able to tell me about their day at work without holding back any details. Those last two points are not negotiable.” I leaned away to drive my point home, crossing my legs.

  “Five percent for the lifetime of the product, no extra pay for Tyler and Alec, three hours one time per week, and we’ll not actively recruit Ethan and Josh for the next five years. I’ll have to see what I can do about the clearance—it’s not only up to me.” He remained leaning on the table, his hands in front of him.

  Tyler had told me as much about the clearance level—that it may be difficult to get, even with him and Lucian pushing for it. It couldn’t hurt to have another person arguing for us.

  “You leave Josh and Ethan alone for good—as I said, that’s not negotiable—and we have a deal.”

  He pressed his lips together and sighed, then stood and reached a hand over the table. “You have yourself a deal, Miss Maynard.”

  I stood up and shook his hand firmly.

  “I’ll have our legal team draw up the paperwork.”

  “I’
ll have mine look it over before I sign.”

  “I would expect nothing less.” He laughed as he left the room. Everyone filed out after him, and Tyler led me to his office down the hall.

  As soon as the door closed, I collapsed against it and took a massive, shaky breath.

  “Holy shit.” I laughed and ran my hands through my hair, trying to calm my breathing, stop my heart from hammering in my chest. I had no idea a conversation could result in so much adrenaline.

  Tyler tugged my hand from my hair and pulled me into his arms. He kissed me passionately, the hard planes of his chest flush against my body, and then just as suddenly pulled away. His hot breath washed over my face in panting breaths as he leaned his forehead against mine. “That was the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”

  I chuckled and kissed him again, high on the rush of the negotiation and the feeling of Tyler’s arousal pressing into my belly.

  I stepped out of his arms.

  “I’m not happy that you kept the Bradford Hills offer from me.” I wagged a finger at him.

  “It’s not that I was keeping it from you.” He adjusted his pants, moving his prominent hard-on. “I just knew we wouldn’t be able to take them up on it. I was saving us all some time by cutting the conversation off before it began. And we’ve had quite a bit on our plate. It just never made it to the top of the list of priorities to discuss. I’m sorry.”

  “Apology accepted, but please don’t turn things down on my behalf again. I agree with your assessment of the situation, but I need to be included in these conversations. We need to make these decisions together, even if it takes up some of your precious time.”

  “OK. I get it.”

  “Good. Now take me to lunch so we can discuss this situation I just got us into without speaking to you first.”

  He laughed and stuffed some papers into his messenger bag before leading the way out of his office. “Alec is going to be so pissed at you.”

  I chewed my lip as we reached the elevators. He was right. Alec didn’t want me anywhere near Melior Group. Now I was about to be there every week, potentially exposing some serious vulnerabilities. “Yeah, he is, but I have boobs to distract him with. And the angry sex is phenomenal.”

  Tyler groaned. “Now I’m thinking about how to make you angry.”

  Seven

  Halfway through my first lecture of the day—Synthetic Organic Chemistry—I had three pages of notes and several new books on my TBR list. My phone vibrating in my backpack was an unwelcome distraction. With a huff, I pulled it out to silence it and saw it was an incoming video call from Harvey. I frowned and waited for it to ring out.

  Once it stopped, I tapped out a quick message.

  Did you butt dial me? LOL!

  I’d kept in contact with him since my impromptu trip down under. We chatted online from time to time, and I’d even reconnected with Mia, Harvey’s sister. It was the first time I’d reconnected with anyone from my past. My mother had always forbidden it. Being able to chat with him was really nice—he was my friend first, and that friendship was still there. But we didn’t do video chats. I’d mentioned I had an early class when I spoke to him the night before, so the call was a little unusual.

  Wasn’t a butt dial.

  I sat up a little straighter at his reply, confused. The three little dots told me he was typing.

  I need to speak with you urgently. Can you call me please?

  I chewed on my bottom lip. I didn’t really want to get up in a silent lecture theater. I’d had enough of the Variants of Bradford Hills staring at me to last a lifetime.

  My lecture finishes in about half an hour. I’ll give you a call right after.

  His reply was instant.

  This really can’t wait. Please hurry.

  That got my alarm bells ringing. Keeping as quiet as possible, I packed up my books and shuffled to the end of my row. The professor didn’t even miss a beat, continuing to educate everyone else on azobisisobutyronitrile and radical initiator mechanisms. I rushed to the doors, my mind full of questions, my gut telling me I may not like the answers.

  Alec stood in the hallway, talking to a Melior Group woman I’d never seen before. The black-clad operatives were all over the place. Most of the ones assigned directly to Vitals were in the lecture theater.

  Alec was officially assigned to me for the day but preferred to wait outside during my classes; it was less distracting for me and allowed him to get a little work done, making calls and barking orders at Kyo, Marcus, and Jamie. When he saw me come out, his posture straightened, and he excused himself immediately.

  “Evie? What is it?” He loomed over me, but before I could answer, my phone started buzzing again. We shared a look and I rushed outside. Alec stayed glued to my side.

  I sat down on a bench in the courtyard, under the shade of a maple tree, and answered. Alec remained standing in front of me, his arms crossed.

  “Harvey? What’s wrong?”

  “Hey, Eve.” It was way past midnight in Melbourne. His voice sounded hoarse, and heavy bags sagged under his eyes. “I really need to talk to you.”

  “OK . . .” I waited, but he seemed to be struggling to get the words out.

  “Just . . . uh . . . don’t freak out or anything.”

  My spine straightened, and I threw a wary look in Alec’s direction.

  Another more feminine, more sarcastic voice came through the phone. “For fuck’s sake. Just let me talk to her, human boy.”

  My heart flew into my throat, and I sprang to my feet, gripping my phone tightly. I knew that voice.

  “Harvey!” I yelled, my voice shaking. Alec was making a call, keeping his eyes on my screen but staying off camera. “Harvey, listen to me.”

  At the same time, Harvey replied to Zara, “You asked me to talk to her. What the fuck . . .”

  The video feed went shaky, as if they were fighting for the phone. Then a blinding flash of electricity cut across it, and the call cut out.

  “Shit!” Hot, panicked tears stung my eyes. Did I just watch another friend die? Did Zara take another person from me, just as I got him back? “No! No no no.” I prodded my phone with shaky fingers.

  “What do I do?” I turned my panicked gaze to Alec.

  He tucked his phone into his pocket before placing both hands on my shoulders. “We’re going to call him back. She had him call for a reason, so they’ll take the call. I’ve already arranged for it to be traced. Take a deep breath.”

  I nodded and tried, but it just made me hyperventilate more.

  Before I could calm myself enough to call him back, Harvey’s name popped up on my screen again.

  Another jolt of cold panic shot up my spine, and I gritted my teeth, making myself answer it. Alec stepped out of the camera’s way once more as Harvey’s face appeared, Zara’s right next to it.

  “Harvey!” The panic in my voice was palpable. “Get away from her. She’s dangerous, do you hear me? She is not my friend. I don’t know what she’s told you, but—”

  “Deep breath, Eve,” Harvey interrupted me, his eyes wide, his hand held out in front of him. “I’m OK.”

  Zara rolled her eyes. “Would you chill the fuck out? What do you think I’m going to do?”

  She leaned back heavily in Harvey’s computer chair, scowling. As if I was the one being unreasonable.

  “Chill the fuck out?” I gritted my teeth, aware of the danger in angering an unhinged person, but my rage was rising fast. “You have Rick’s power. The same power that killed Beth. Remember Beth? Your friend? And now you’re holding my friend hostage, so excuse me for getting worried.”

  “Yes, I fucking remember Beth!” she nearly yelled, and Harvey shushed her with a hand on her arm, checking over his shoulder. Why was he trying to hide the fact that a dangerous lunatic was in the house?

  Zara took a very deep breath, visibly calming herself. “Eve, I need your help.”

  I blinked slowly at my screen, waiting for the punch line to th
e sick joke she was clearly making before killing Harvey in front of my eyes.

  She stayed silent, and when her eyes started darting about the room, it sunk in. “Holy shit, you’re serious.”

  “Yes, I’m fucking serious. I made a mistake. I fucked up real bad, OK? And now my life’s in danger, and things are so much worse than you know.”

  “I don’t care!” I screamed. The lecture I was supposed to be in must’ve finished. Students were streaming out of the building, a few throwing me curious looks.

  “Eve, please, just hear us out.” Harvey’s voice was calm, and I tried my best to take my cue from him. I couldn’t risk her hanging up again.

  As if he read my mind, Alec’s warm, calloused hand wrapped loosely around my forearm. I glanced over the top of my screen to see him holding up a thumb as he mouthed, Got her. I focused back on my phone as Alec pressed his earpiece and listened in.

  “Harvey, I’m so sorry you got dragged into this,” I said, “but it’s going to be OK.” I chewed on my bottom lip, wary of revealing too much. Melior Group operatives were on their way, and I didn’t want to give her a chance to run.

  “You suck at this.” Zara rolled her eyes. “I don’t know how the fuck you lied about your identity your entire childhood. You can tell whichever Melior Group lackey is standing next to you to come out. I know they’ve tracked me to Harvey’s house. I called to tell you where I am. I need help.”

  I couldn’t help glancing up at Alec again. He wore his signature scowl as he reached a hand out for the phone. I passed it to him and, with shaky legs, lowered myself back to the bench.

  “Oh, hey, Ace.” Zara’s tone was saccharine, and I wondered why she was being so antagonistic if she really wanted our help. This could all be a trap, but Alec knew what he was doing. I had to trust he would take care of it.

  When he spoke, his voice was hard but professional. “Zara, if you’re serious about handing yourself in, don’t struggle. They’re under orders to detain you. Do not resist. Do you understand?”