Chapter 2
The waiting room at Synergy was fancier than ours.
It must have been at least twice the size.
Instead of the uncomfortable chairs Janet bought at a garage sale, there were dark leather couches.
While the rest of the building had men in lab coats walking in and out of doors, everybody here wore neatly pressed suits.
They’d walk up to the door on the far side of the waiting room and scan their badges.
The door made a slight hiss as the locks opened, and they pushed through.
I realized as I glanced at the abstract paintings that I hadn’t spent much time here. Despite working on the other side of the building, I mostly kept to Secret Identities. Perhaps I needed to take a stroll once in a while and explore the rest of the building?
I stared at the plate of croissants. Store-bought. By the time I got home, bandaged myself, and cleaned the blood off my suit, it had been well past bedtime. I could only hope that the baker at the grocery store baked them with love. It made all the difference.
Other than the door, Ricardo’s lobby lacked sound. It could be from the gray rug or the abstract art on the walls, but it didn’t breathe. It almost made me miss Janet’s Norwegian death metal. Almost.
“Psst.”
The gentleman sitting next to me had been bouncing his leg since I arrived.
He held a manila envelope that probably contained his resume.
I didn’t look over so much as I studied his vibrating leg.
Thick. Somewhere between Wyatt and a normal human.
When I didn’t look up, he leaned closer.
He wore beige khakis, but the crease at the knee meant he hadn’t ironed them this morning.
He gave a gentle elbow to my bicep. I held in the hiss. There wasn’t enough Tylenol in the world to stop the ache caused by Sledge. If it weren’t for my powers, I’m sure there’d be bruises creeping past the collar of my shirt.
“Psst.”
He probably wanted a croissant to settle his nerves. “Would you like—”
“Is there a reason the receptionist is eyeing you like you insulted her dog?”
Even though Synergy and Secret Identities started at the same time, Ricardo’s company had developed a corporate feel. I thought it might be because the furniture attempted to be “corporate chic” or because they had a specific look for their employees. But that wasn’t the most glaring difference.
Tia.
In the lush waiting room, she was the primary difference.
Not the modern decor, or the accent lighting, or the plush leather chairs changed the ambiance more than she did.
She couldn’t be any different from our receptionist if she tried.
Janet would have already shouted a welcome and most likely copped a feel.
We humored her obsession with butts. Tia, on the other hand, could have been a creation of Medusa herself.
Her hair had been pulled back into a ponytail so tight it gave her a permanent resting-bitch-face.
If Tia had superpowers, she’d have murdered me where I sat.
“It wasn’t me who insulted her,” I mumbled. Tia never broke eye contact. “She has beef with a mutual friend.”
The new hire leaned in closer, hand covering his mouth as he spoke. “I’m getting ‘kill you in your sleep’ vibes.”
Tia set one of her troll dolls on the counter, the blue jewel in its belly glimmering.
The same one Janet swore she had stolen.
Eventually, they’d fight to the death or kiss.
Maybe both. If I could have rescued it for Janet, I would have.
In a small act of defiance, my powers turned the jewel black.
“She won’t wait until I’m sleeping.” I wasn’t as strong as some, but I’d win an arm wrestling match with normal humans. That didn’t make me feel any safer, as Tia imagined my head exploding.
“Did she lick her lips?”
He smelled of charcoal from a fresh fire and mouthwash.
I finally turned to study my waiting room companion.
When he leaned back, I had to fight to keep my composure.
The color of his goatee couldn’t have been bought from a bottle.
A true redhead, with hair that almost looked orange, and it carried from his beard to the perfect five o’clock shadow all the way to the short, cropped hair.
It reminded me of the sunrise, and nestled in the center were eyes that almost glowed green.
“Your eyes are beautiful,” I muttered.
His cheeks turned red as he smiled. His grin showed teeth, but more importantly, was the apple of his cheek. I could almost—
Wait. Had I just said that out loud? Hello, perfect stranger. Let me admire you in the most awkward manner possible. “I’m so sorry. Color is kind of my thing. I didn’t mean—”
His hand touched my arm. My fingers relaxed, and my muscles softened as I leaned back in the chair. Knowing I had just made a fool of myself didn’t matter as much as the spot where his fingers touched my shirt. I fought to maintain eye contact… and stare into those gorgeous eyes.
“You’re fine,” he said.
“You too. Fine, I mean.” My powers went to work, keeping my cheeks from turning red hot. “Thanks. Good luck with your interview.”
“Same to you.”
While I melted into the leather couch, he returned to gripping his folder, his leg bouncing up and down.
There was no going back now. Sitting next to the handsome ginger bear, I couldn’t help but inspect the rest of him.
Big hands? Check. Wide shoulders? Check.
Khakis ruining a perfect bulge? Unfortunately, check.
I hope he got the job. If nothing else, we could use more eye candy in the lobby.
Maybe I’d accidentally bump into him… and spill my mocha latte.
Oh, no. Then I’d have to help pat him dry.
I focused on the croissants. The last thing I needed was the fantasy turning into an erection. I’d save that for when I wasn’t meeting with the boss’s boyfriend. Daydreaming was for the shower. When at work—
“Mr. Oliveira will see you now.”
I stood. So did he.
I raised an eyebrow. “Which one of—”
She cut me off with a sharp “Both of you.”
Oh.
I took a seat in one of the two chairs sitting opposite Ricardo’s desk.
As soon as we entered, his smile vanished.
The speed at which he turned on his poker face should have been alarming.
Thanks to his relationship with Arthur, I knew about his ability to transform into liquid metal.
He didn’t moonlight as a hero often, but now and then, I spotted him on the streets.
Of course, because Janet and Orion were nosy, everyone knew that he and Arthur had a vibrant sex life.
Or at least that’s what the mops and brooms in the second-floor supply closet would reveal if they could talk.
The man across from me, though, I didn’t know him.
A year of sharing a building, and I only knew what made the news.
Unfortunately, that’s what brought me here.
Synergy had become a target for villains.
It was one thing when they came crashing in from the outside, but Ricardo had a hiring problem.
The woman next to him stood out against the muted colors of his office decor.
Purple. I applauded the dedication to such a bold shade.
Her dress rode the line between business and evening, in part because of the ample cleavage.
If not for the jacket, I’d think she was leaving us for the club.
She hadn’t moved since we arrived. If Ricardo told me he had a robotic assistant, I wouldn’t be shocked.
My companion took his seat and handed Ricardo the manila envelope. There were no words as Ricardo opened it. I set the croissants on his desk. Baked goods wouldn’t alleviate the tension, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.
“If anybody’s feeling peckish.” Nobody even glanced at my pastries.
I leaned back, tapping the arms of the chair. I had been summoned, and now I felt as if I were the only person unsure of what was going on. What was in the folder that had Ricardo fighting with the grimace on his lip?
He closed the folder, handing it to the woman standing at his side.
She finally moved, taking it and inspecting the contents.
Ricardo didn’t seem rattled, or at least it didn’t show.
Arthur would have stammered and sweated until he sank to the floor in the fetal position.
Ricardo leaned back in his chair, hands resting comfortably in his lap.
“It seems this is happening whether or not I like it.” His expression was as steely as his hide. “Your resume has more redactions than a White House dossier.”
I raised my hand.
“Drew, you don’t need permission to speak.”
I lowered my hand while dropping my eyes to my lap. “What’s going on?”
Ricardo gestured to the gentleman next to me. “Drew, meet Booker. He’s been sent by the government to interrogate—”
“Interview.”
“To interview our employees. They want to ensure we don’t have another incident.” Incident. That’s a nice way of summarizing how his employee attempted to destroy Vanguard. I bit my tongue. “They want to protect their investment.”
There was a lengthy pause as Booker studied Ricardo’s face. If I didn’t know better, I’d say they entered a staring contest. While Ricardo’s face looked almost as emotionless as his alter ego, Booker appeared entirely relaxed. I still wasn’t sure why things were so tense.
“I can understand that.” Not really, but I needed to fill the silence.
The woman at his side shut the folder and slid it across the desk. “Sounds more like an interrogation when they threaten to pull our contracts if we don’t comply.”
Oh. Now it made sense.
“To be clear,” Booker said. “They are the ones doing it. I’m just doing my job.”
“I see,” Ricardo said.
In front of me, the three played a chess game. The pawn had been moved forward and sacrificed. Would one of them move the knight? How did the knight move again? It’d be easier if they wanted to play checkers. Low risk, easy rules. But no, they—
“Drew?” I ditched my tangent and snapped back to the conversation. “Did you catch that?”
I nodded. “No.”
The woman let out an exasperated sigh. I wasn’t doing a great job of winning them over. Volunteering might have been the wrong decision.
“You’re going to be working with Booker and Synergy’s Human Resources Director, Ms. Keyes.” At least Ms. Purple had a name. “She’ll be your contact person and help you vet our employees. She’s been ordered—” Interesting word choice. “—to give you all the resources you need.”
While Booker had locked eyes with Ricardo, his eyes narrowed whenever he turned to Ms. Keyes. “I promise I’ll try to make this as painless as possible.”
“I’m sure,” she said. The grin was manufactured, as if she were trained to give exactly five percent of her personality.
I raised my hand again and quickly lowered it. “Okay. Booker will be interviewing your employees. I’m still not seeing my role in all this.” Perhaps Sledge had knocked me against the car hard enough to leave me rattled. There were no signs of concussion, but I’d have to check again.
Ricardo pulled his chair forward, positioning his elbows on the desk. If he let out a haughty laugh, I might think he had slipped into supervillain territory.
“I would have said Synergy does an outstanding job of screening employees.” While Ricardo talked, Ms. Keyes didn’t show any signs of acknowledging the accusation.
“We have definitely had a few slip-ups. I would like a third party to help. You’re our independent auditor.
My hope is that Booker finds nothing. But on the off chance there are dubious persons employed by my company. I want them exposed and removed.”
“You want me to kill them?”
Booker covered his mouth as he chuckled. Even Ms. Keyes snorted before regaining her composure. Okay, apparently I misread the room.
“No,” Ricardo said with a smile. “A simple firing will do.”
I decided not to mention that’s how supervillains developed grudges. If he fired a would-be-evil-genius, they’d come back and exact their revenge. I’m pretty sure that was in the handbook. Nobody clung to being slighted like a maniac.
“While Booker is doing the interviewing, you can take the temperature,” Ricardo said. “You’ll blend in. Get personal. See if any of them are plotting world domination.”
There it was. Ricardo wanted me because I could blend in. Literally and figuratively. Wyatt and Orion would have stood out like a sore thumb. Janet would have beaten every one of his employees. Me. He wanted me to disarm and quietly interrogate. I couldn’t tell if I felt honored or slighted.
“I’ll prepare the employee manifest.” Ms. Keyes was about as dry as summer pavement.
“I’ll label them by security clearance and most likely to take the city hostage.
” With a slight nod, she headed for the door.
I found it curious that Booker turned in his chair, watching her exit.
When he settled in again, he seemed confused.
If this were in our office, I’d assume he was checking out her ass. Here, something didn’t sit right.
“Booker, Drew here works in one of our rented suites at Secret Identities Incorporated.”
He grinned. “I know.”
“Of course you do.”
Booker leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “I know you’re not thrilled that I’m here. If I’m being honest, nobody wanted this assignment. It wound up on my desk because I’m good with people… and I never say no. I’ll make it as painless as possible.”
As he spoke, it was as if he exuded a calming energy. In our office, I had to juggle Wyatt’s childlike zeal and Orion’s cynicism. I wondered if Booker attended our morning huddle, if things wouldn’t be so… chaotic.
“I think we can both agree nobody wants another villain tearing through here.”
He stood, holding out his hand. Ricardo nodded, taking his hand and giving it a firm shake. I didn’t think he was entirely convinced, but Booker had taken his first steps toward winning him over.
“While you wait for that list from Ms. Keyes, I’ll make sure Tia gives you full access to Synergy.”
Booker eyed me. “And your company?”
I snorted. “Show off that chest to Janet, and she’ll let you steal her stapler.” As soon as I said it, I realized my mistake. Both Ricardo and Booker gave me concerned looks. Okay, yes, he had a nice chest. I think Ricardo would agree.
“This is going to be fun,” Booker said.
I had volunteered to get into Ricardo’s good graces, hoping it’d leave a good impression with Arthur. Fun wouldn’t have been the term I’d have used… at first. Being trapped in a room with Booker? That quickly changed my attitude.
“I agree.”