If I never have to watch Cameron get another shot, it will be too soon.
“Where did you get that?” I ask, noticing that Cam’s already perking up a bit and the darkness in his veins is fading.
Reed lifts a brow at me, his gaze softening. “It was in your lieutenant’s vest pocket.”
Erik had it? Why didn’t he give it to Cameron to hold on to then?Why was Reed close enough to swipe it from Erik’s pocket? Myblood chills. Reed is someone Erik trusts, or at least thought he could.
“He only planned on giving it to Mori if he followed through on his direct orders from Captain Bridger.” Reed’s gaze hardens as he looks at Cameron.
I flinch, looking at my broken soldier. “What direct orders?” My voice bleeds with hurt.
Cameron flexes his jaw as guilt moves over his expression. “I was ordered to terminate the squad after Greg was executed. They wanted me to be the sole survivor and to become the sergeant for the Hades Squad.”
“Hades Squad?” Gage echoes, flashing me a worried look. Damian shushes him.
“They didn’t tell me what would happen if I didn’t do it. But they didn’t need to. I already knew, thanks to Emery and Wraith. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to doubt me.” Cameron lets his head drop with a long sigh. “But I attacked you guys anyway, killed Wraith, and now…now I’m…” He lets his words drift as emotion consumes him.
My brows knit and I fist my hands. “You couldn’t have known you’d attack us. That wasn’t you.”
He chuckles sadly. “That can’t keep being my excuse. Do you know how many comrades have died at my hands?” His voice breaks and he looks down at his palms.
“You stopped yourself, Cam. When I couldn’t do it…you”—I have to swallow the image of his lifeless body in my lap—“put an end to yourself to keep me safe.”
Cameron’s eyes widen and relief flickers through him.
Reed interjects with a cough. “We don’t have time to hash out whether or not we’re fucked-up murderers. We’re all guilty of that, are we not?” he asks sharply, pointedly looking each of us in the eye. When none of us respond, he gives us a curt nod. “Exactly, now getGage’s tracker sealed before we move out. We’re going to make Erik think you’re all dead and send Mori out there to end him. Once the lieutenant is dead, it’ll be a cakewalk from there.”
Damian sets to wrapping the signal blocker Reed gave us last week around Gage’s tracker.
“What about Thomas?” Gage mumbles, brows pinched tightly with sorrow. I can’t speak for everyone, but I heard those shots fired at him over the radio. We haven’t heard a peep from him since. By deductive reasoning, it’s likely that he died from injuries, but he could just be passed out. After the miracle Reed pulled, I’m not going to assume anyone’s dead yet.
I grimace thinking about the two of them. Wraith hadn’t fully earned my trust, but he was starting to grow on me. I didn’t want him to die.
Reed taps his arm. “We should check them both, just to be sure. I’m not one for leaving loose ends.” He’s thorough, always has been.
We collectively nod. Cameron’s sad eyes soak me in. I don’t have an ounce of will to be angry with him for keeping the order he was given from me. I tuck into his side and help him move as we file out of the room.
I spare one last glance at my father’s body. This forgotten place will become his tomb. A graveless place where his reign ended.
43
EMERY
Reed sendstwo of his guards to check on Wraith while he, Damian, Gage, and a guard head to the roof of the current building we’re in to find Thomas.
Cameron and I are escorted down to the lower floor while we wait. The guards are my father’s men, but I don’t recognize many of them. I’m guessing they are the ones Reed has brought in over the years.Sly fox, I muse. Always four steps ahead.
We sit with our backs against the cold clay wall that lines the street. Small five-foot trees have taken root here in the building, growing with the light from patches in the wall and ceiling. Even in a desolate place such as this, hope perseveres.
Cameron’s hand shifts on top of mine, and he grips tenderly.
We persevered too.Some of us for much longer than others.
“Can I tell you something?” he murmurs, as he sets his head back against the wall.
I glance at him. “Of course.”
His grip tightens. “Being an officer in the Dark Forces was mydream for a long time. I don’t remember if it was what I wanted at first, but it became the dream that kept me going. Past all the killings and all the downfalls. It was the only goal that kept me from putting a bullet in my head.” His tone is light and makes an ache grow in my heart. He flicks those lovely sage eyes at me and lets them study my features before he continues, “Then you came along.”
