Bad by Francine Pascal Page A

pressed his hand against the wall for support.
    Â 
    Supremely Delicate Moment
    LOKI HAD CALLED THE RESTAURANT ahead of time to ensure that he and Gaia would have a private table—in the back, away from the Little Italy tourist crowd. He wanted her undivided attention. He
needed
it. And he was glad he had made the effort. Sitting in this small booth, across from his beloved Gaia, he felt that every other human being in this city ceased to exist.
    Gaia was staring at the menu. He loved the way her long blond hair drooped around her face as she studied the names of the dishes. Her eyes were playful, happy. Of course. She’d been praying for this reunion. He could see it. She’d been thrilled he’d contacted her; she was even at the restaurant five minutes early, looking absolutely stunning in that same black dress she always wore.
    â€œDo you know what you’re having?” he murmured.
    She shrugged and glanced up. “I think you’re going to have to order for me again.”
    Loki smiled. “My pleasure.”
    She set down the menu, looking relieved. “Good. You know— “ She broke off, her smile fading.
    â€œWhat is it, dear?” He leaned forward, smoothing the lapels of his dark suit.
    â€œI have to tell you something,” she whispered. “Well . . . uh, I guess the best thing to do is to come out and say it. I’ve decided to stay in New York. At least for now.” The words came tumbling out of her mouth in a rush. She nervously tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, then glanced up at him expectantly.
    That’s where you’re wrong,
Loki thought—but the expression on his face didn’t change. He made sure of that. He was too well trained to display any disappointment or anger. In any event, there was no reason for anger. Gaia’s statement was simply unacceptable. She would understand. No need to blow this out of proportion.
    â€œAre you mad?” she asked.
    Loki suppressed a smile. The girl was a wonder. Nothing escaped her. Nothing. He lifted his shoulders in a noncommittal fashion. “Just a little surprised. The last time we spoke, you were unhappy with your home life. What changed?”
    Gaia sighed deeply. “It’s complicated.” She paused. “My foster mother is dead. She was murdered.”
    This was his cue. Loki made sure to look sympathetic. “That’s terrible. I know you didn’t get along . . . but it must have been an awful blow.”
    Gaia nodded. “I found out a lot about her before she died.”
    Instantly rage surged through him. Ella loved to talk,didn’t she? He should have shut her up long ago. But he didn’t betray even the slightest displeasure. Instead he envisioned the look on her face had
he
been the one who had killed her— slowly squeezing the life out of her with his own two hands. He didn’t make mistakes very often. But allowing Ella to live had been one of the biggest of his life. He wouldn’t forget it.
    â€œShe wasn’t who she said she was,” Gaia continued. “She was only with George to get close to me.”
    Rage turned to fear. Loki’s legs tensed. This was beyond unacceptable; this was dangerous. Gaia
couldn’t
know the whole truth, unless . . . Was this a trap? No. She was happy to see him. Nobody could act being that sincere, not even Gaia. So Ella hadn’t revealed
everything.
    â€œWhy would she do that?” Loki asked, thankful that years of training kept his voice from trembling.
    â€œShe was working with my father. I don’t know the details . . . but apparently my father is some kind of terrorist. He goes by another name. Loki.” She fixed him with a penetrating stare. “Do you know anything about this?”
    Loki summoned every ounce of concentration to meet his niece’s gaze. So
that’s
what happened. Maybe Ella hadn’t been as useless and erratic as he’d previously