Temptress by Lola Dodge Page B

position did naughty things to my bustier. Then they really gaped. Typical. “Tank was taken by a villain named Drake. I don’t know why, but I know where he’s being held.”
    “Drake?” Ruin’s eyes narrowed. “Never heard of him.”
    “No one has.” Except maybe me, but I only had one memory that hinted at our connection, and I wasn’t about to share. “That’s why he’s so dangerous. His power’s some kind of cloaking ability.”
    “He’s invisible?” Panther pulled at his cheek, insecure without his whiskers. “We’ve taken them down before.”
    “More than that.” I leaned forward, anchoring my heels on the stool to stop my knees from shaking. Keeping their powers down was making me sweat. “He can hide memories, and I’m pretty sure none of the authorities know he’s running a crime syndicate out of Midtown.”
    “He’s in New York?” Ruin’s fists bunched. “He can’t—”
    “He is. Trust me.”
    Thunder raised his hand. “We’re all about trust, but it works two ways…ah…Temptress. We’re going to need our powers back if we’re doing this together.”
    “Call me Jenny.” I let loose a deep breath, releasing Tank’s energy. Quiet noises of relief spread through the room as the heroes’ abilities returned. “But you guys come after me, I won’t be gentle.”
    “Why bring us in at all?” Little bolts of red lightning jumped between Ruin’s fingers. “I thought you had every power in the book.”
    “That’s not entirely true.” I hopped from the stool. “And I don’t do so well against guerilla forces with automated weapons. Plus twenty, maybe thirty supers. Figured you guys could use some exercise.”
    “Hell yeah!” Cyclone whooped. I’d been waiting for him to jump in, classy guy that he was.
    “Don’t suppose any of you can teleport?” We needed to get to New York fast, and short of bending time or space, I didn’t see how we could make it.
    “No. But we can take the G6.” Ruin pulled out his cell and started punching numbers.
    “You guys have a private jet?”
    “You don’t?” Cyclone cocked his head to the side.
    I was clearly living my life the wrong way. We took a helicopter to the airport and were in the air so fast it had to be illegal. Turned out Thunder was ex-Air Force, and the old top gun had some pull.
    We all sank into the leather seats, and the guys were glued to SportsCenter on the flat-screen before takeoff. I drummed my fingers against the chair arm. We’d get there, but I hadn’t thought to sneak my Sudoku along in the bustier. All I had to do was worry.
    Tank was captive and helpless because of me. I wasn’t sure what was between us, but that was more reason to get him back. We needed to talk it out and then have some crazy, amazing sex. Though I almost trembled at the thought of his body, that wasn’t his most attractive point. It was Tank himself. Supportive, but not smothering. Strong, but reasonable. Even though I’d taken his powers, he’d stood by my side. We’d only begun to explore where we fit into each other’s lives.
    “What’s in this for you?” Ruin had taken the seat facing me. “Why rescue Tank? You already took his powers.”
    I wanted to tell him it wasn’t his business, but unfortunately it was. “Bacon. That boy can cook.”
    “He cooked for you?” Ruin face-palmed his forehead. “Damn.”
    “What?”
    “You sleeping with him?” Ruin asked.
    My jaw fell a little, but I snapped it closed. Play the part, right? I was Temptress. Might as well have fun with my loose reputation. I folded my arms under the bustier. “Use your imagination.”
    “Five hundred!” Cyclone pulled away from the TV long enough to whoop. “You owe me five hundred, Ruin!”
    “Yeah?” Ruin scowled. “You still owe me a grand from the bachelor party.”
    Oh God. These were Tank’s friends? “Where did he find you guys?”
    “Here and there,” Ruin said. “If you screw with him—”
    “You don’t get to talk about