"Hey there, big guy," Jin said with an awkward laugh. "Long time, no see."
Graydon sent Kira a flat look. "You couldn't be this stupid."
Her mouth pulled up on one side. "I'd like to argue, but current company points to the fact I am."
Graydon's lips thinned and tightened. This was a disaster on so many levels.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Graydon asked Kira.
"I'm beginning to get the idea it isn't good," she said dryly.
Graydon stared at her, sending her a look that said "you think?"
She winced, reaching up and rubbing her forehead before her hands settled in her lap. She slumped, looking tired.
"He wasn't supposed to be seen." She sent the drone a hard look. "He had orders to remain in the room."
Jin hummed. "You’re lucky I broke cover and sent the big guy your way. That last drone almost had you."
Kira opened her mouth to argue, and Graydon cut into the brewing argument with a hard look. "I don't care how I found out. I care that he’s here where he isn't supposed to be."
"To be fair—Kira didn't know about my presence until it was too late. I did it all on my own," Jin said.
"Not helping," Kira shot at him.
"Maybe in your mind, but I think I'm being super helpful," Jin grumbled.
Graydon scrubbed his face, ignoring the interaction. If only he had walked away on Luatha, his life would be so much simpler.
"Does anyone else know about this?" he asked.
Guilt crossed Kira's face. He guessed what she was going to say before she said it.
"Finn."
Graydon found himself surprised the oshota had kept Kira's secret. Then again, considering his history, maybe not. The man would not willingly give up another of his charges unless circumstances were dire.
"And Raider," Kira finished.
Graydon stood in an explosive movement, prowling the length of the room and stopping at the window to stare out. The two behind him were quiet, leaving him to his thoughts.
If Graydon was smart, he'd inform Harlow and Roake of Jin's presence immediately. His credibility would be damaged, but he'd likely not suffer too much from this debacle. From this point on, he would have no plausible deniability. If Jin was discovered and Roake decided to take issue, Graydon would be treated as a traitor. Everything he’d worked for gone.
The whispered argument taking place behind him brought his attention to the troublemakers.
He faced them. Kira's mouth snapped shut as she regarded him with a mingling of defiance and understanding.
She expected him to tell Roake, he realized.
Nothing was ever easy with this woman. Perhaps that's why he found her endlessly fascinating. She was complicated, with cracks that made her even more beautiful for their presence. She'd make him work for every inch of progress.
But the reward would be worth it.
"You're going to owe me for this," Graydon informed her.
Wary distrust filled violet gray eyes he could lose himself in. "What are you saying?"
His smile this time held cunning. The expression wasn't nice and it wasn't easy. He found himself chuckling internally when her suspicion deepened.
