“I’d be very careful how you finish that sentence, Scott,” Williams said. “I have soldiers outside with strict orders to end her life if you cross any lines.”
My lungs constricted.
Lucas’s stare went deadly, promising pain in a way I’d only seen when he looked at Jack Miller.
Theo turned wide eyes on Williams. “What?”
Williams ignored it all to focus on me, as if I were the linchpin holding this whole thing together. “If your story gets us aid, and Scott is successful in DC, we could win. That emblem on your back is a battle cry, Sophia. I need it.”
Lucas spun toward me, his voice lower, quieter. “You’re letting her use me as a blade against you.”
He was the most dangerous one she could have found, poison-tipped and pointed straight at my heart.
“It’s just a story,” I whispered without looking at him.
“This will hurt you, Sophia. If they succeed in what they want, this will follow you for the rest of your life.”
“It was always going to follow me, Lucas,” I murmured. “The only difference is that now people will know why.”
He exhaled and dropped his head, defeated.
I turned to Williams, her mouth stretched into a Cheshire cat smile. “I want one more thing.”
Williams raised a brow.
“I want him out of the stockade.”
“Oh?” Williams said, surprised.
“Yes, find somewhere safe to keep us both. Guarded at all times. I live, he is pardoned, then we’ll help you.”
Somehow, her smile widened even further. “I believe we have a deal.”
36
Not Fine
All citizens of childbearing capacity are obligated to fulfill their reproductive duties to ensure the survival and expansion of the State.
—NATIONAL STABILITY ACT, ARTICLE IV
After a long discussion, Theo agreed to let us stay in one of the abandoned rental cabins at the far edge of the property. The scary guards escorted us from the basement emergency exit and through the barren winter forest at gunpoint. Theo didn’t remove the flex cuffs from Lucas’s wrists until we were safely ensconced inside the cabin.
The three of us stood in a triangle.
The space was small and cold, with natural pine walls and cowhide furniture. A loft held a single bed at the top of a steep set of stairs.
Theo cleared his throat. “These facilities are used for covert teams to move on and off the property more quickly. I’ll make sure the others remain empty while you’re here. Protectiondetail will change every six hours. I’ll assign the same soldiers who agreed to your guard duties. They’re trustworthy men.”
I nodded, but Lucas raised a skeptical brow.
“I’ll do my best to keep the knowledge of your whereabouts hidden, but be careful. Sophia, you may leaveonlywith an escort.” He eyed Lucas. “You are not to leave for any reason. You are under house arrest.”
“Yes, Uncle Theo,” Lucas said, glib as ever.
Theo’s eyes narrowed. “Williams and I will be in contact when we need to. Planning for the mission starts tomorrow. It will take place here. The reporter will arrive within a few days.” He sighed, his gaze dropping to his feet.
“Thank you, Theo.” I stepped closer, and he opened his arms for my hug. “I wish you would have told me the full story.”
