Unveiled Emotions

Stinger stood up and stretched. He yawned in a cat-like manner. He glanced down a path where Rei and Vicious were making their way up and grinned. Rei looked fatigued and Vicious seemed a bit relaxed but he wasn't sure. It was always difficult to tell with Vicious.

"Take us to my place now," he said and Stinger nodded his head.

"Yeah, she looks like she could use some sleep. Looks like you went over her really well," he said and Vicious' gaze darkened.

"Shut up. You're only keeping yourself in danger by your own free will."

"I know. I still see purpose in risking my life for you. You're still profitable to me."

"What's that supposed to mean? You're not selling information, are you?"

"No. Why do you think that?"
"You said profitable. Why is it profitable? I know you're only loyal to yourself so where the hell do I fall into your plans?"

"Even though I boast no loyalties, I'd like to remain on good terms with the future leader of the Red Dragon syndicate. Besides, once you're involved with the syndicate you can't leave. Even independents know that."

"I'm not going to pay you off."

"I'm fully aware of that. But staying here makes a damned impressive work history. Here we are. Besides, what makes you think you're out of danger with her?"

"Maybe I should have let the Black Wolves kill you."

Rei got out of the car and stared at the large Victorian style house. It fit his old-fashioned style, she thought as she glanced at him.

"A car's coming," Stinger commented and Vicious looked at him.

"What kind?" he asked and Stinger shrugged his shoulders.

"I'd say a twenty-thousand woolong job. A sedan. It's too quiet to be a sports car."

"Go on in the house. I'll see what they want."

"What about your security system?"

"It's okay. I just told her how to get in."

"Oh yeah. I forgot about that trait. Bet it makes married life a pain in the ass. I wonder how other males of my species can stand it."

"Go on in. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Okay."

"Not you. You're staying out here. I was talking to her."

"All right, I'll stay out here. I don't need more trouble with you."

******************

Rei walked down the front hallway, her shoes echoing in the silent air. She switched on the light, illuminating the room she stood in. She gazed at the staircase she stood in front of and blinked her eyes. She listened to Vicious' silent directions to her room then took a step forward. She heard a rustle of feathers and glanced to her side. Vicious' bird sat there, perched on the rail on the opposite side of the stairs, silently watching her. She set a foot on the stairs and watched the bird. The bird did nothing and Rei continued up the stairs. The look in the bird's eyes had unnerved her and she wanted to get away from it as quickly as possible.

She reached the top of the stairs and opened the door net tht the staircase. She walked in and pulled off her shirt. She ran her hands over her bare skin and sighed. She was on the outside again and it felt good. She walked over to the bed and sat down. She closed her eyes and listened to Vicious' thoughts. She heard Stinger's as well but she was ore interested in Vicious' mind.

The car had pulled up, she gathered from Vicious' disjointed thoughts for he was not only thinking about his visitors, but he was also thinking about numerous killing options if the situation turned to the worse. She pulled off her pants as she continued to listen to the conversation below. A threat was being made about Vicious' market expansion and Vicious' anger was growing. He swore silently and Rei realized that he had not changed at all during the time that she had been gone.

She turned her attention to Stinger, who seemed to be trying to reach a mutual agreement for both parties and sighed. She opened her eyes and ran her hands down her bare legs. Why was reaching an agreement so difficult at times? She sensed hostility towards Stinger then Vicious grudgingly relented.

Rei stood up and walked over to the closet and opened it. Inside hung many beautiful and expensive articles of clothing. She felt the fabric, marveling at the different textures.

"They should fit. I didn't take into consideration weight loss when I got them," Vicious said as he stepped into the room.

"What went on down there? I couldn't tell. There were too many minds thinking at the same time," Rei said as she turned around. She then realized her lack of clothing and flushed at Vicious' silent comment.

"It doesn't matter. They will get taken care of in good time. Do I need to vocalize what I'm thinking about now?"

"No. I'm really glad to get out of those clothes. I want to get back to the clothes I'm used to wearing."

"Yes, you need to get back to your original weight though."

Vicious laid his trench coat on the floor and unbuttoned his shirt. Rei watched him for a moment then closed the closet door.

"Did you really miss me?" she asked and Vicious said nothing. She embraced him and Vicious ran a hand down her back.

"I'm glad I'm back here," she continued as Vicious moved his hand down to her rump.

"I'm...glad as well," Vicious said, practically choking on the word "glad".

"Good."