Chapter 10 #2
The interview continued, Cassandra lobbing softball questions that Valor knocked out of the park with PR crafted anecdotes about his “journey.” I nodded at appropriate intervals, smiling when expected, and steadily drained my wine glass while hyperaware of every casual touch Valor bestowed.
A hand on my shoulder when he laughed at his own joke. Fingers brushing my arm when he reached for his drink. Each contact felt calculated, performed for maximum visual impact.
And across the room, Cipher had stopped moving entirely. He hadn’t touched his wine in ten minutes, hadn’t shifted position, hadn’t even seemed to breathe.
This is exactly what I was afraid of.
I signaled discreetly for another glass of wine and nearly sighed with relief when the waiter finally approached to take our order. My stomach had been growling for the past twenty minutes, thankfully masked by Valor’s endless monologuing.
“I’ll have the seared scallops to start,” Valor said, “followed by the deconstructed Wellington. Rare, of course.” He handed the menu back without even looking at the waiter, his eyes fixed on Cassandra.
When my turn came, I ordered the burrata appetizer and the wild mushroom risotto. Thank goodness this was covered by the Alliance expense account because the menu prices were astronomical.
“And how did your first date go?” Cassandra asked, leaning forward eagerly. “I understand it was quite the romantic evening.”
Valor’s hand moved from my knee to my shoulder as he put his arm around me, pulling me slightly closer in what looked like an affectionate gesture.
“It was magical,” he said, his voice dropping to an intimate tone that made my skin crawl.
“I took Annie to the rooftop garden of my penthouse. Had it decorated with thousands of fairy lights. She was speechless.”
I was speechless alright, with shock at this blatant fabrication.
“It was certainly unexpected,” I managed.
Our appetizers arrived, and I stared down at my plate in dismay. Three of the smallest balls of burrata I’d ever seen, artfully arranged with micro-greens, balsamic pearls and several croutons. It was beautiful, yes, but wouldn’t take the edge off my hunger.
“Annie was quite overwhelmed,” Valor continued, cutting into his equally minuscule scallops. “I believe her exact words were that she’d never experienced such thoughtfulness from anyone before.”
I took a large sip of wine to avoid responding.
“And where do you see this relationship going?” Cassandra asked.
Valor’s hand slid down my arm, his fingers intertwining with mine.
I chewed my tiny morsel of appetizer very slowly, letting Valor field that landmine.
He leaned back in his chair, his expression shifting to what I recognized as his “contemplative Hero” face, one eyebrow slightly raised, lips curved in a thoughtful half-smile.
“Where is our relationship going?” He repeated Cassandra’s question.
“I believe when you find someone truly special, you don’t rush.
Annie and I are building something meaningful.
But,” Valor continued, oblivious to the silent threat across the room, “I will say that when you know, you know. And sometimes the most unexpected connections become the most profound.”
I groaned inwardly. This was veering dangerously close to proposal territory, and we hadn’t even received our main course.
Just as I was deciding how much wine I’d need to survive the next few minutes, a sharp beeping sound cut through the ambient restaurant noise. Valor’s communicator.
He checked it with a frown, then stood up with theatrical reluctance. “I’m so sorry, ladies. Duty calls.”
Thank fuck.
“Of course,” Cassandra said, switching off her recorder. “The city needs its Hero.”
Valor turned back to me, his expression suddenly softening into something that looked alarmingly genuine. He stepped closer, and I realized with horror that he was leaning in for what appeared to be a goodbye kiss.
I widened my eyes at him in panic, silently communicating that if his lips touched any part of my face, I would personally ensure he’d need his healing abilities. He seemed to catch my meaning because he smoothly diverted to taking my hand instead.
“Until next time,” he murmured, pressing his lips to the back of my hand in a lingering kiss that made my skin crawl.
From my peripheral vision, I caught movement at Cipher’s table. A sharp, aborted motion like he’d started to rise before forcing himself back down.
I maintained my smile until Valor exited the restaurant, his cape dramatically billowing behind him. Cassandra packed up quickly, her interest in me evaporating the moment Valor was out of sight.
“Well, I think I’ve got everything I need,” she said, already standing. “The piece will run next Sunday.”
Within minutes, I was alone at the table, exhaling deeply as the tension finally began to leave my shoulders. The table felt wonderfully peaceful without Valor’s overwhelming presence.
I glanced at my half-empty wine glass and decided I deserved to finish it in peace. Maybe I could even order dessert, a small compensation for enduring that performance.
I closed my eyes briefly, savoring the moment of solitude.
When I opened my eyes, I jumped. Cipher sat across from me, his hands folded neatly on the table.
“Until next time,” Cipher mimicked, his voice pitched in a perfect imitation of Valor’s self-important tone. He lifted an imaginary hand to his mask. “Allow me to kiss your delicate fingers, my sweet. The city needs its Hero, but my heart shall remain with you.”
“What are you doing?” I hissed, leaning forward. “I’m here as Valor’s date. I can’t be seen with—“
“Relax, Bishop.” Cipher’s mouth curved into that infuriating smirk. “I’m running interference tech. Makes photographing us together impossible. Scrambles facial recognition algorithms, distorts digital images. Even works on security cameras as long as you stay within five feet of me.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?”
“Developed it after our first encounter.” The way he said it made it clear he was referring to when he’d saved me from plummeting to my death off that building.
When a civilian drone had captured footage of Chroma Bay’s most notorious Villain rescuing me, launching the whole charade that eventually led to my heart being broken into a thousand pieces.
Good times.
I drained my wine glass in one gulp. “Congratulations on not murdering Valor in the middle of Elysium. Your restraint is truly inspirational.”
“Restraint had nothing to do with it. Blood would ruin the ambiance.” He cocked his head. “The index and middle fingers of his left hand. Those were the ones he pressed into your thigh under the tablecloth correct?”
“Why would you need to know that?”
“I want to make sure I break the correct fingers the next time I encounter him. Then I’ll crush the thumb he used to trace your skin.”
“He’s a Super,” I pointed out, trying to keep my voice steady. “His genetics will knit the bone back together in minutes.”
“I am aware,” Cipher replied smoothly. “The pain registers exactly the same, regardless of how fast he heals.”
I sighed. Valor was currently my charge, and my entire job revolved around protecting Alliance assets and enforcing the rules. I was supposed to be horrified by this blatant threat of violence, but I just felt a bone-deep exhaustion.
“You cannot maim my assignments,” I told him, rubbing my temple. “The paperwork alone would take me weeks.”
“Consider it a learning opportunity for him,” Cipher stated, unapologetic.
“Thank god for that emergency summons,” I muttered, setting my empty glass down. “Another five minutes and I might have stabbed him with my fork myself.”
Cipher’s lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile beneath his mask. The kind of smile that said he knew something I didn’t.
My brain caught up with remarkable speed considering how much wine I’d consumed. “You didn’t.”
His smile widened. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You hacked his communicator. You sent the emergency alert.”
“Would I do something so underhanded?” Cipher asked, his tone dripping with mock innocence. “Interfere with the Alliance’s communications system?”
“You know I’m going to have to report this,” I said, not meaning a word of it.
“Are you? Before or after you thank me for saving you from having to endure another hour of Valor’s wandering hands?”
I pressed my lips together. “I had the situation under control.”
“Of course you did.” He tilted his head slightly. “That’s why you looked like you were contemplating homicide with every appetizer fork in reach.”
The waiter approached with a discreet cough.
“Sir, madam, would you care for more wine?” If he had questions as to why a League member was now at the table, he kept them to himself.
“Another glass,” I said.
The waiter nodded and retreated.
I turned back to Cipher, who had made himself entirely too comfortable. “So what exactly is your plan here? Are you kidnapping me? Planning an elaborate heist using me as your unwitting accomplice?”
“Such limited imagination,” Cipher replied, his mask hiding whatever expression might have accompanied those words. “I’m merely ensuring you don’t dine alone. It would be a tragedy to waste a reservation at Elysium.”
“How considerate.” I drummed my fingers on the table.
“Look, I’ve spent the last hour being Valor’s personal prop while he fabricated an entire romantic history for Cassandra’s readers.
I’m starving, my feet hurt in these ridiculous heels, and I’ve earned the right to eat my overpriced risotto in peace when it arrives. ”
Cipher leaned forward, elbows on the table. “By all means, eat your risotto. I’ll even let you have my food.”
“You ordered food?”
“Of course. The wagyu. It should arrive shortly after your mushroom dish.”
The waiter returned with fresh wine. Once he was gone, I took a long, fortifying sip. “You realize this looks incredibly suspicious? Me dining with Havoc’s new Nemesis immediately after my supposed boyfriend leaves?”