[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
stairwell. She pushed the door open and peeked into the hallway. She turned back and placed her
hand on Manota s chest. He wasn t going to like this part but she needed to get the door open to her
condo and since she didn t have her key with her she was going to have to use the spare they had
hidden in the huge potted plant near the elevator. The last thing she wanted was for him to use his
toy on her condo door. That would scream break in and someone would call the police.
I have to get the key we hid, she explained quietly. I need you to stay here and wait for me to
open the condo door. It is right across the hall from here. I ll be right back, she whispered.
Why can I not go with you? He demanded, frowning down at her.
Jo took a step back and looked at Manota. She saw a huge ass male bigger than any human, black
leather, short military haircut, dark skin with muscles on top of muscles, a laser sword strapped to his
hip, knives strapped to each massive forearm, more across his chest, a laser pistol on his other hip,
and dark burning eyes that screamed alien! No, he was not going with her. The first neighbor to see
him would be calling the Army, Air Force, National Guard, and God forbid, the NSA. No, it was
safer for her to go alone.
Just - stay! She said in exasperation knowing he would not be happy either way. I ll be back in
a flash.
*.*.*
Jo didn t wait long enough to give Manota a chance to protest. She opened the door and stepped
out into the hallway. If she was lucky, none of the neighbors would be coming or going at this time of
night. She walked quickly down the hallway to the huge gold painted planter holding a fake palm tree
in it that stood next to the elevators. She knelt down next to it, running her fingers along the base
looking for the small gap at the back. She breathed a sigh of relief when her fingers swept by the
opening. Feeling around, her fingers scraped the tape holding the key in place. Working her fingers in
the narrow space, she almost had it when the whole planter lifted up. Startled, she emitted a surprised
squeal and fell backwards, landing on her butt with a soft humph.
It will be faster and easier if you do not have to search for it, Manota said calmly.
Jo groaned out in aggravation as she twisted back onto her knees. Picking at the tape, she gave a
low growl as it came free. She hissed as Manota set the planter back down and picked her up by her
arms as if she was a toy doll.
You were supposed to wait for me in the stairwell! She bit out as she turned to head back down
the corridor. She groaned when the elevator dinged as she took the first step. Damn it! Jo looked
frantically around before shoving Manota back against the wall. Pick up the damn planter. Hurry!
She hissed as the doors started to open.
Jo plastered a big smile on her face hoping it was someone visiting and they wouldn t recognize
her. Her mouth dropped open when a tall male stepped out into the corridor. The male hesitated for a
moment, his eyes growing huge before a big grin crossed his rangy features. The next thing Jo knew
long arms wrapped around her, pulling her close as a set of firm lips covered hers.
Oh shit, Jo thought just before all hell broke loose.
Chapter 8
Put this on the bump, Tony, it should help the swelling go down, Jo murmured, handing an ice
pack to Antonio Vega, elephant trainer extraordinaire and Jo s tenacious but hopeless suitor. She
shook her head as she turned and picked her way through her overly crowded apartment. Excuse me,
Stan. How are you doing, Kid? Hi, Marcus. Nice to see you again, Curly. I like your new look, Suzy.
Jo did a great imitation of hopscotch as she stepped over the six dancing dogs that Mattie never
went anywhere without. She kissed Marvin and Martin on the cheek as they silently opened the
imaginary door leading to the only place that wasn t overcrowded of sorts. Five out of the six
chairs were filled at the oval dinette set. Marvin and Martin turned and stood at attention as if they
were guards protecting the queen s gold or Fort Knox. Jo let out a deep sigh as she stared at the stony
look of rage frozen on Manota s face as he stood with his back against the windows which looked
down over suburban Orlando. His eyes were still glued to Tony.
Knock it off, Jo muttered as she moved to sit down in the chair in front of where he was
standing. You almost killed the poor guy, you know. And you almost did it in front of my parents!
He should not have put his hands on you much less his mouth, Manota growled out under his
breath, still keeping his eyes on Tony who was doing his best to ignore the huge warrior.
Tami reached over and patted Manota on his arm. Don t you worry, dear. It isn t the first time
someone tried to kill Tony for kissing Jo. He s been in love with her for years.
A deep rumble of a growl echoed at Tami s words. Jo rolled her eyes and shot Manota another
dark look. She turned back to look at the hot drink Ricki had set down in front of her seat.
Thanks, Jo muttered.
You looked like you could use it, Ricki responded, pushing her glasses up on her nose. Now,
please tell us what happened.
Jo couldn t help the small grin that escaped. Only Ricki could act like this was a typical day at the
circus. She never got flustered. She just saw a situation that needed to be dealt with, asked for the
facts, and went about solving the problem. That was what made her a priceless treasure to the crazy
life of the circus.
Well, Jo looked at her parents before carefully retelling everything that had happened since she,
Star and River had disappeared almost six months ago.
As she finished, her eyes moved around the table, pausing on the other two figures sitting at the
small dining table with them. Walter and Nema sat gazing at her with a look of incredulity on their
faces. Well, Nema looked amazed. Walter looked like he was sizing Manota up and trying to decide
where he was going to put him in the next act. Jo hoped she hadn t really heard Walter s gruff voice
announcing his idea for the next great act The Amazing Alien Warrior from Kassis, Manota the
Monstrous!
I like that, dear, Nema said leaning over and squeezing Walter s hand as he whispered the
words Jo hoped she had only imagined.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]