Freak by Francine Pascal

chest, his eyes trained on the ground. He took a few long, deep breaths of the fresh spring air and felt the soothing warmth of the sun wash over him. Once he’d finished putting together Gaia’s new furniture that morning, he’d found himself slowly going stir-crazy. His new bed and dresser were going to be delivered later in the week and he still couldn’t seem to make himself comfortable among Natasha’s things. He felt more stifled in that apartment with her books and her knickknacks and her scent than he had in any prison cell he’d ever had to call home.
    Who was she working for? Tom wondered for the ten billionth time since he’d learned that Natasha was, in fact, the enemy. She had to be working for someone. Who was it? The Russian Mafia? The Russian Secret Service? One of the newer spy organizations?
    He entered the park and passed by a few empty benches, not ready to sit yet. He had too much pent-up energy to expend. He’d walk the whole way to the other side and back if he had to. Whatever it took for him to figure this out.
    Of course, the problem was, he was fairly certain he already had it figured out. As much as Gaia wanted to believe otherwise, Tom knew that Loki had to have been the one pulling the strings. It was the only scenario that made sense. No one had questioned him while he was in Russia. No one had tortured him or demanded he divulge his secrets. There didn’t seem to be any point to him being there other than to keep him from being here. Who would go to all those lengths to remove him from his daughter other than Loki?
    â€œDamn it,” Tom said through his teeth. He stuffed his hands under his arms and clamped his elbows down, coiling in on himself. How had Loki done it? That was what he wanted to know. How had he faked a coma? How had he given orders from a hospital room? How had he convinced Gaia that he was Oliver again?
    I need to talk to Natasha. She’s the only one who knows, Tom thought, trying not to notice the mother who was pulling her toddler to her as he passed by, clearly disturbed by his whacked-out demeanor. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have let her get to me?
    The answer, he knew, was simple. He let her get to him because he was in love with her. And her betrayalstung more than anything he’d suffered in the past. She’d fooled him into opening a heart that had been dosed for a decade, and then she’d turned on him. If he was ever going to figure out what was going on with her and her daughter and Loki, he was going to have to get past that.
    Tom paused at a fork in the paved pathway. He forced himself to uncurl his arms. Forced himself to look up at the oncoming dusk. He breathed in and out, expanding his chest and closing his eyes. He breathed in and out and told himself to let go. He had to. For his daughter. For his own sanity.
    When he opened his eyes again, he looked at the two paths that lay ahead. One wound up and into the budding bushes and trees, the other was straight and sloped down toward the center of the park. Tom turned right and took the easier path. He wanted to stroll. He wanted to relax. It was time to let go.
    He’d only taken a few long strides when the trill of his cell phone surprised him. He pulled it out of his pocket and flipped it open in one smooth motion.
    â€œMoore here,” he said into the mouthpiece.
    â€œAgent Moore, it’s Director Vance. There’s been a development.”
    Tom blinked and stepped off the pathway to let a pair of skateboarders pass. “What kind of development?” he asked, his pulse beginning to race.
    â€œWe need you to come in,” the deep, throaty voice replied. “Now.”
    â€œWhat about taking some time off?” Tom said, unabashedly enjoying this. They needed him. He knew they needed him.
    â€œI’m ending it,” Vance replied firmly. “I expect to see you in fifteen.”
    Used Undies
    GAIA SAT ON THE