She prowled back to her overturned chair. She righted it, adjusted her dark hair, and took a seat. “Now…about that information?”
“They have someone I love, too.”
Reyna wanted to not care, but between her and Jodie, she didn’t have it in her. “Who?”
“My brother, Edmond. We were in the same program. He washed out, and they kept him as my collateral. I haven’t heard from him in three years.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too, Reyna. When I called it in, I thought it was for Beckham. When they said they were coming to get you, I didn’t know where they were taking you. I just knew I was protecting my brother.”
“I really don’t want to hear your tale. It seems everyone has someone. This world hasn’t been kind. But it didn’t turn us all into sniveling snitches.”
“No, but it seems to have done its damnedest to harden even the best of us.”
Reyna ignored his comment. Was she harder? Sure. She had to be. Part of that was his fucking fault. If she hadn’t gone through what she had at Visage, she might still be that daydreamer. She might still be looking for the good in everyone. Hoping she could right the world through her photography and helpful programs for the poor. Visage was a last resort for a lot of people, including her. She knew there should be some other way. She just didn’t know if she believed it was possible any longer.
“Why did you want to talk to me?” she asked.
“Because you know me, and I thought you would understand.”
“No, when you saw me at Five Points, you saw the same frightened girl you thought you knew. I was so shocked to see you that I freaked out, but I’m not afraid anymore. So, if we’re going to keep going around in circles, then I’ll leave.” She flung her hand toward the door. “There’s someone else out there who will be happy to get the information in a different way. I’d think it’d be much less pleasant, but hey, that’s your call.”
Everett’s eyes dropped to the floor. All the bluster and bravado slipped right off him. She saw him for exactly who he was and not the person he had always appeared to be. Broken. Kicked down by the system, just as she was.
Her heart went out to him. She had seen that same expression from Jodie time and time again. From everyone Visage had hurt. Even herself.
Yet, she guarded herself against it. Everett was a spy. It was his job to manipulate people like this. His first tactic hadn’t worked; maybe this one would.
“You do realize I’m risking Edmond by telling you this.” His eyes slid up to hers, piercing and terrified. The eyes of someone who was putting their life on the line…and the life of everyone they cared about.
“You haven’t told us anything yet.”
“I’m risking it all just by being here. By talking to you and admitting there’s even something to talk about.”
“Then why are you here?”
A chill ran through her at the haunted look in his eyes. “Because I couldn’t ignore what I discovered.”
“Then spit it out.”
He shook his head. “I need some assurances.”
“What kind of assurances?”
His eyes shifted to her chest, where the microphone lay against her bra strap, even though there was no way he could see it. “Did they get that? I want assurances for my safety. That I’m not going to be killed off as soon as they get what they want. That they’ll find Edmond, too.”
Reyna bared her teeth. “I don’t even know what you have. It might not be worth my time.”
“It is.” His confidence was unwavering. “Go talk to them. Get my assurances, and…and I’ll start from the beginning.”
“Fine.” She vaulted out of her chair and burst through the door. She slammed it shut behind her, frustrated by the entire ordeal. She’d naively thought she’d be able to walk in there and he’d tell her everything she wanted to know. Fuck, she should have known better. Nothing ever went her way that easily.
Gabe rounded the corner and dragged her away from the door. “Great job so far.”
“What? He hasn’t told me anything.”
“He’s told you a fuck ton. A spy for Harrington himself? Beckham as his mark? We’re getting so much out of this.”
