Free Elixxir (The Brethren Series) by Deena Remiel Page A

so.
    “What’s up?” Callie flew off the bike and paced back and forth. “Something wrong with your seat? Got a cramp?”
    She stopped in front of him and waved his questions off. “No, my seat is fine, and I don’t have a cramp. I have a question.”
    “You had me stop for a question? You couldn’t wait until we arrived in Las Vegas?”
    Wagging a finger, she looked him square in the eye. “How did you do it?”
    “How did I do what?”
    “How did you get to that guy so fast and remove the gun? One minute you’re over here,” she said, gesturing to her left. “And then you’re on top of the guy, batting the gun away. Plus, he’s huge and you picked him up like he was a feather. I want answers, Nate. No normal guy can do what you did today. And your scratches from the blast yesterday, gone. Curiosities are starting to pile up. I don’t like curiosities. I’m not going another mile with you until you give me some answers.” She folded her arms over her chest and planted her feet on the solid ground.
    She’s on to me, damn it. I can’t lie, so what on earth am I going to say ?
    “Well, if you really must know, then I’ll tell you. But it’s gotta be a secret kept between us. No one must know.”
    “Oh, great. You know what? I know what you’re gonna say, and damn it. It’s so bad for you. Steroids are not the answer, Nate.”
    He thought about correcting her assumption, but stopped himself just in time. Hell, he didn’t say it, and if he didn’t agree with her, he still wasn’t lying. Technically.
    “What gave you that impression?” He kicked at some dirt and looked down for an added dramatic effect.
    She scoffed and waved her hands madly about as she circled around him. “Let’s see, you’re huge, for one thing. All those muscles are fighting to burst out of your skin! You’re super-fast. I mean, you were on that Neanderthal in a flash, Nate. You’re super strong to lift and carry him the way you did. Unreal! Oh, and let me not forget the crazed look you had in your eyes. They nearly glowed! That was one crazy ’roid look if I ever saw one.” She shook her head.
    “Well,” he said, smacking his hands together. “Now that we have that settled, shall we get going so we can make Las Vegas before it gets dark?” He’d been a lucky little shit because that could have exploded in his face. He smiled, mounted the bike, and motioned for her to get back on.
    She did, and poked his shoulder. “Get off the ’roids, Nate. They’re gonna kill ya. Ready when you are.”

 
     
    Chapter Seven
     
     
    Callie leaned against the hotel balcony railing, looking out onto the Las Vegas Strip. They’d arrived at the Tropicana a couple of hours ago, and she couldn’t be more melancholy. Bright lights had begun to show their glimmer, but vague childhood memories flitted in and out of her mind, obscuring her view. She imagined herself a wee bit of a thing, holding hands with her father and mother, walking down the sidewalk, and being frightened. She hated the greasy-looking men who got in people’s faces and handed out cards of nearly naked women. And the women, well, some of them were pretty enough, but most of them were scary ugly and wore clothes two sizes too small.
    She hadn’t remembered much, but one thing she did recall quite clearly. She hated Las Vegas.
    “I just got off the phone with the front desk. A room opened up with two queen beds in it. They’re sending up our keys right now.” Nathanael had come outside, and she hadn’t even noticed. Turning her back on the Strip, she focused on the mammoth individual standing before her. He took up all the available space out on the tiny bit of a landing, and then some.
    “Okay, that’s great. Thanks. I didn’t mean to make a stink about it when we arrived, but I thought it would be better to have two beds since I’m such a restless sleeper.”
    He laughed. “Well, your stink has sent us to the penthouse level, so I should be thanking