Hot Air: A Villainous Love Story by T.J. Land

Author:T.J. Land [Land, T.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-02-18T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

BLUSTER

“This couch is lumpy and it smells of cats,” he complained the next morning, stretching. Rocky had settled on his legs in the night, giving him pins and needles.

“That’s a real tragic story. You should write a book. Now shower, get dressed, and let’s go.”

The Judge stood over him, arms folded, wearing boxer shorts and a thin white shirt. Nothing was on display that Bluster hadn’t seen before; costume damage was a part of life. Which wasn’t to say he didn’t appreciate the chance to see it all again. In addition to the Judge’s thick arms, hairy knees, and impressive scar collection, what drew his eye was the rope around his wrist, which he was now thinking of as their rope.

“Where’re you dragging me now?”

“You wanted to fly. You’re going to fly. Might as well get it out of the way early so I can spend the day concentrating on important stuff. Put these on,” he said, dumping a shirt and a pair of shorts on him.

“Why?”

“Low profile, remember? What, you want me to take you out wearing your precious costume? Might as well do the Leech a favor and paint a bullseye on you. Why’re you so attached to that thing, anyway?”

“Dunno,” he said, scratching his ear. “I feel better when I’m wearing it. Civvies make me anxious.”

“That’s…strange.”

“You don’t feel that way about your leathers? Your mask?”

“No. They’re tools that let me do my job, that’s all. What do you mean ‘anxious’?”

“Off-kilter. Underdressed. I don’t know how to explain it, man. The costume feels more natural. To be honest, I sometimes forget I’m wearing it, you know? Like I’ll stop by the park to pick up a hot dog on my way home and everyone’ll stare at me and I’ll think ‘do I smell weird?’, except then I’ll notice that…”

Bluster fell silent when he saw the Judge’s expression, and cleared his throat. “Yeah, now that I say it out loud that does sound strange.”

The shirt and the shorts were too big for him. He elected not to complain.

“Don’t forget the helmet,” said the Judge, pressing it down on his head.

When the bike had carried them beyond the city limits, he said, “Jugs, it just occurred to me that the easiest way for you to stop the Leech getting his hands on my power is to kill me. How do I know you ain’t taking me somewhere quiet where you can dispose of the body without any witnesses?”

“Damn. Didn’t expect you to work it out that quick.”

They went round a curve, the bike tilting. Bluster’s leg almost raked against the ground. He grinned and held on tighter. “You didn’t bring a gun – at least, I can’t feel one in that back holster of yours. Planning to bash my head in with a rock, maybe?”

“Nah. Strangling you’ll be easier. And don’t make assumptions. I might have a gun somewhere else.”

A jolt went through him as he imagined the scene: Lying prone on his back by the side on the

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