‘You and I don’t have to care about what this is,’ she says, with half a shrug. ‘We can just use it. Get paid, head to the next job.’
Perhaps she really does think I’m worth having on her side, especially if she’s planning on that next job being here on Mars. It’s not like the population is endless. Someone who can keep it together has to be worth something.
‘You’re right,’ I say slowly. ‘You and I don’t have to care about what this is. But I’d have to be willing to work for GravesUP if I join you now, and I don’t know if I can do that.’
Sabrina shrugs again. ‘Life’s not easy here for a hitcher. I’m guessing you’ve had enough time to work that out. Let me get you on the register, come with me to the next job, and you don’t have to think about the Graves family again.’
Something prickles at the back of my neck. She’s trying to reel me in too quickly. Is it a trap? But maybe she just has her eye on the clock. There’re only two and a half hours left on it.
Something about this doesn’t feel right.
I can still hear Hunter’s voice in my head, denying everything I know, ignoring everything I tried to tell him.This isn’t who we are.
He’s part of the company that ruined my life, that invaded the United freaking Nations, and with the evidence right in front of his eyes, he still can’t see the truth about them.
At least Sabrina’s honest about being a terrible person.
I glance back over my shoulder to gauge the distance to the nearest exit, weighing my options.
And that’s when I see Hunter standing in the open doorway, staring at me.
24.
HUNTER
2 HOURS, 28 MINUTES REMAINING
MY WHOLE BODY FREEZESin place as I realize Cleo’s not alone. She’s standing in the middle of the bridge facing the woman with the forehead tattoo, who … wait, has her hands up?
Holy shit, Cleo’s got her gun.
When she turns her head and sees me, she goes perfectly still.
Turn around!I silently urge her.Don’t give the merc a chance to lunge for the gun!
Whatever I expected when I got here, it wasn’t this. I tried to tell Cleo that we’d told Rover – Marguerite – that we were in the greenhouse, so we couldn’t meet there. But she tore off, and afraid to shout or draw attention, I ran after her.
‘This your boyfriend?’ asks the woman with her hands up.
‘Shut up,’ snaps Cleo, in a tone that would render me silent forever if she aimed it my way.
I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to distract her or interrupt whatever play she’s making. The smallest flicker of hope is springing to life inside me – maybe she’s trying to get this woman to start a rover for us?
Maybe we can run.
The woman speaks again, clearly not that bothered by Cleo’s tone. ‘We can talk about getting him on the list too, babe.’
I frown.What exactly has Cleo been discussing with this woman?I speak before I have a chance to think. ‘What list?’
The mercenary – still keeping her hands raised carefully in the air – leans to one side so she can look around Cleo. Her gaze rakes up and down me, measuring something, before she speaks again. ‘Wait, is he a local? I assumed you were running with another hitcher, but this boy has money written all over his pretty self.’
Cleo’s eyes widen and her lips part like she’s looking for words but can’t find them.
It takes a long moment for the woman’s words to sink in.Another hitcher.
Cleo’s … what?
But even in my confusion, the pieces start slotting into place, each one a new blow, each one sending me reeling. It all fits together.
