Leaning on his cane, Thomas stood before Regent Landry’s office and knocked on the door. No sooner had he entered the NWF Reformation Headquarters than his assistant, along with several others, greeted him kindly, all proclaiming how good it was to see him and have him back. He wondered at their sincerity, especially since several gave him wary looks—especially his assistant Rodney, who took him aside and in an anxious tone told him Landry wished to see him immediately. It was bad enough he’d been escorted to work by two guards, but did everyone in the office suspect him of treason?
He laughed at his own thoughts. Hehadcommitted treason. But what good would it do now to admit it? It wasn’t like he could run back and find Tori. She was no doubt safely at UnderHisWings—at least he hoped so—wherever that was.
In the end, after all he’d done, they had not trusted him. Tori had not trusted him.
So, if Landry and the New World Union thought he’d infiltrated the Deviants as a spy, so be it. At least he could resume his powerful position and return to his normal life. That’s what he wanted, what he’d dreamed about while wandering around with the Deviants, hungry, exhausted, filthy, and in pain.
Wasn’t it?
Still, the fact that Landry had assigned guards to watch over him meant they did not fully trust him, something Thomas hoped to rectify today. He also wanted to find out what happened to Calan. The man wouldn’t be here if not for Thomas.
“Enter!” the shout came from within the office, and opening the door, Thomas hobbled inside.
“How’s the ankle?” Landry said from behind his oversized desk.
“Sore,” Thomas responded with a smile.
“Have a seat, Tom. I must say you look a lot better than yesterday.”
“Thank you, sir.” He had felt a whole lot better, too, after a hot shower, shave, and a hearty breakfast of eggs, ham, and toast. Carefully, he lowered to sit in the plush leather chair. “And thank you for sending the food over.”
Landry smiled. “Figured you wouldn’t have anything in your fridge.”
The only thing left in his fridge had been something Tori had bought. Which, of course reminded him of her. Not that he needed reminding. She’d been on his mind all night as he wrestled with his sheets.
She’d left him with a broken heart once, and now he’d allowed her to do it again. What a fool!
“When can I resume my duties, sir?” Thomas dared to ask.
“Not so fast, Tom.” Landry rose, poured two glasses of bourbon from the wet bar against the wall, and handed one to Thomas.
He lifted a hand. “No thanks.”
Landry’s brow arched. “Thomas Benton turning down a drink? Youhavechanged.”
More than he knew.
Sipping his drink. Landry sat on the edge of his desk and gave Thomas a pointed stare. “I need to know. Why didn’t you inform me of your plans to infiltrate the Deviant group?” His tone had transformed from a friendly superior to one of judge.
Thomas swallowed. “Honestly, sir”—he cringed at the coming lie— “I didn’t plan it at all.”
“What?” Anger simmered in the man’s narrowed eyes.
“Wait, wait. Hear me out,” Thomas said. “Yes, I broke Tori out. Yes, I took her home, but it was only to get the information we needed from her. I knew you wouldn’t approve of assigning her into my custody, and I had to make her believe I was on her side.” The lies kept coming, flying off his tongue like feathers on a wind of deceit.
Landry listened intently.
Thomas shifted in his seat. “Because of our close past, I knew I could get her to talk, but I had to get her in a place where she felt safe and trusted me.”
“Hmm.” Landry fingered his stylish beard. “Makes sense.”
“But then somehow you or Sergeant Cruz found out I had helped her escape and you sent troops to my house. I had to make a quick decision. Go with her and keep up the ruse or allow her to be captured and ruin any chance she would talk to me in the future.” Sighing, Thomas shrugged. “So I ran. I knew you could track me, but then she zapped me with a taser and fried my chip.”
“Ah…that’s why we lost your signal.” Landry nodded.
Thomas smiled. Landry believed him. Good grief, he almost believed himself.
“A bold move, Tom. Very bold.” Landry rose and circled behind his desk. “I knew you hadn’t betrayed us. I just knew it.”
