Chapter 28: Lust

Chapter 28: Lust

Iceberg Lounge, Harlem, New York

Clang.

The noise had surprised him, but he didn't react. His peak human perception confirmed he wasn't under attack but had been a victim of the pettiest of crimes; he had been burglarized by none other than the firebug.

It wasn't hard for him to learn about the girl and her exploits; she had a penchant for stealing, and the places she robbed always suffered a fire.

He stared at the teenager, the two separated by the island that separated the kitchen from the living room.

He quirked his brow at the girl choking on a carton of orange juice, his cowl in her other hand. She quickly pulled the helmet behind her.

"I knocked, but you didn't answer. Is this your place?" Anne asked rapidly, her eyes trying but failing not to take in his nude body.

'She's good.' He thought to himself as he detoured toward the fridge to grab a protein shake. Anne had retreated his cowl hidden behind her back. His bout of exhaustion earlier had done a number on him.

He hadn't thought about installing security, so anyone with the ability could break in. He would rectify that immediately, querying the system store, specifically the specialty tab of the store. He wondered if he had unlocked newer universes.

Cole hadn't had his mask of indifference on, and he had no reason to reapply it. He began to drink the shake, his eyes locking her in place; she began to fidget when she realized he had made her move away from the entrance.

"I won't tell anyone, promise," she said, her eyes looking around for a way out, but they always fall back on his nude form.

Her words had triggered his ability. His system-granted mutant power was unique in regard to mutant abilities; even with the intricate knowledge implanted in his mind with system-granted items, there was still a gulf of learning to be had with his evolved intimidation ability and the Fragment of Fear.

Cole started to feel like his power was akin to a demon contract with binding terms. Still, he had modicum control over accepting or not.

"It is my current place of residence." Cole finally said, moving from the fridge and allowing her time to move around the island.

Cole had queried the system; he hadn't purchased much furniture besides his bed. With a mental nudge, he summoned sectional and other items to make a decent living space. He heard a clattering; his cowl had fallen from the girl's hand, and she had gasped, her hand covering her mouth.

His back was to her as he observed the living, hand rhythmically tapping on his chin as he decorated. He wasn't surprised to hear feet rushing across the hardwood floor. He didn't stop her, but he flopped down on the couch, testing its resilience and comfort; satisfied with his purchase, he stared at her halfway to the door.

"I was under the impression that you would meet me downstairs," Cole said, leaning back and getting comfortable.

Anne froze and looked over her shoulder; she swallowed, taking in the boy before her. She knew he was different, but this was something else. He was the Red Hood, cool; she could work with that. She had an alter ego, too, but what he had just hadn't been something she could put into words.

Anne had come here in the hope the York boy could help her. He was rich, right? Her eyes looked over the penthouse. Yeah. He's loaded. How and why he was in the orphanage was unclear.

She gulped and released the door. She turned fully and slowly walked back toward the living room.

"I waited. It's eleven o'clock. The meeting time was ten." She explained, ignoring the elephant in the room, specifically the summoner furniture he was now lounging on in his birthday suit. She didn't mind the nudity; she wasn't a prude. Cole's face broke into a smile, catching the girl's lingering eyes again.

Anne's eyes rose, locked on his smile; she shivered, mouth-watering.

'He's so damn hot!' Anne thought.

"So, it's my mistake," Cole said. "Well, let's get this ball rolling. Do you want the job knowing what you know now?" Cole had repositioned himself, his muscled bare arms resting on his knees, his hand clasping rhythmically in anticipation.

'Down girl. Business first, Business first.' She repeated the mantra to move across the room and plant herself in his lap.

He observed her, a devilish smile on his face, fully aware of her arousal to his nude body. Cole Stephen wasn't a virgin, and Jeremy York wasn't one, either.

"What do I need to do?" Anne asked, wringing her hands nervously.

"It seems I have you at a disadvantage." He quipped. "Tell me, Anne, what would a young woman like you be willing to accept my request, especially knowing who I am?"

He hadn't wanted her to find out the way she did, but it had happened, and it wasn't anything he could do about the past. He knew his alter-ego would be exposed to those he had designs on.

He stood abruptly, exposing himself entirely to her again. Her cheeks reddened. He watched her eyes roam down to his nether region, her eyes dilated.

He chuckled and snapped his finger like a magician, and clothes appeared on his body. He had chosen joggers and a navy blue T-shirt.

She deflated, disappointed evident in her eyes. He was more interested in her, he knew the girl wasn't a saint, but damn, she was willing to hand herself over to him for a path out of her situation, which he could deduce to her owing someone, someone that he figured Red Hood could handle.

He walked closer. She stood still, her eyes no longer capable of holding to his relentless stare. He reached toward her, the devious girl, at least in public, but now she was just another young girl in over her head. He took a lock of her hair and brought it toward his nose.

She smelt like burnt lavender. It was a strange scent; it wasn't noxious, just different, and he enjoyed it.

"First," he said, walking around her, making her squirm as his ability again began to thrum within him. "You will be transferred to Midtown High. I also attend school there, by the way."

The girl shuddered. "Second, you will stop setting fires unless I give you permission." Anne had nodded, accepting his orders; she didn't even wonder how he knew.

He stopped directly behind her. He could always hear her heart race in her chest, but close as he was, he could almost feel the rapid beating.

"Thirdly," his tone lowered, taking on a low rasping sound, one he contributed to his power, then his vocal cords. "I will handle one of your issues of your choice, and in turn, you will work for me until I decide your tenure is over. I will also pay you handsomely."

She nodded, but he needed more than a nod.

"Speak your admission, girl." He ordered. He felt his power enrapture the girl, and he could see the goosebumps on her skin.

"I accept, but I need help with something." She asked, her eyes looking into mine, hope and curiosity replacing the lustful ones earlier.

He shook his head. "Me? No. I won't help you with your problems." Her shoulder dropped, and she bit her lips.

"But, I'll do you one better. I'll give you the training, money, and equipment needed to handle it yourself." He countered, teasingly smiling; his power began to unravel, and his deal needed a counter to be ratified.

Anne's brows scrunched as something shifted in the air.

"My lawyer will draw up the paperwork." He withdrew a Credit card with Wayne Enterprises on it. She grabbed it after noticing what it was, and she quickly stuffed it in her back pocket.

He looked at the time and knew he needed to head out. He had a gang to put down.

"I shouldn't have to say this, but betray me, and I promise you it won't be pretty. Anne gulped audibly. Her ordeal was over, and she regained her composure.

"Jeremy," she called to his departing back, running out of the apartment to catch up with him. "What about Kevin?"

I waved her off. "I care little about your muscle; see to it that he has one of the empty apartments. Preferably not near mines. I'm not running an orphanage, so make sure anyone you bring along pulls their weight, and they know that misconduct on their part is on to its head."