I glanced at Melanie, and of course, she looked like a cat with a fat, juicy mouse. She was smiling at me triumphantly, and despite not being a very confrontational person, I wanted to smack that smile right off her face.
“I’m sohonoredto have this opportunity to work with the renowned Jay Reynolds,” she simpered, stepping forward and boldly reaching out to take the NeuroManipulator from me. I found myself holding onto the device a bit longer than was appropriate.
“Please let go, Milo,” she bit out through her fake smile. “Mr. Reynolds and I have work to do.”
I glanced at Jay, whose jaw was clenched so hard I could see a muscle pulsing in his cheek. After a long pause, he gave me a single nod, and I forced myself to let go of the manipulator, relinquishing it into Melanie’s care.
“As soon as you’re done in practical, I expect you back here,” Jay snapped at me, and I nearly flinched at how cold he sounded.
I knew he wasn’t angry with me, but it was making me anxious to have any of his hostility directed at me at all.
I nodded frantically.
“O-of course,” I whispered, hating that I couldn’t reach out to squeeze his hand, or do anything to comfort him.
“Text me if you need me,” he pressed, and I bit my lip.
“I will.”
“Come on, Milo. My father doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” Seb sighed, turning on his heel and striding curtly toward the elevator.
“Coming!” I meeped, scurrying after Sebastian and doing my best not to think too much about the fact that I was leaving Jay alone here with Melanie freaking Larson.
Anxiety churned in my gut as I watched her stroke her manicured fingers over the device that I’d been working so hard on over the last few weeks.
She better not mess anything up…
Jay was looking at her with his lip curled, like she was some sort of cockroach that he just couldn’t manage to exterminate.
The elevator doors closed, cutting off my view, and I glanced up at Sebastian to find him staring straight ahead, his jaw just as tight as Jay’s had been.
“Wh-what does Luke need from me in practical?” I forced myself to ask, despite the fact that I was fairly sure any questions I had at this point weren’t welcome.
“You’re being promoted. I would say congratulations, but I’m fairly certain I made my feelings on you staying here perfectly clear already.”
“Promoted?” I asked, and Seb finally glanced at me, his icy blue eyes swirling with something that looked like a strange cross between fear and anger.
“Yes, Milo. You’re being promoted, which means you need to be approved for additional security clearance.”
“O-okay.” That didn’t sound too bad. As I hurried to follow Seb out of the elevator and onto the MTR floor, I smoothed my hands down my collared shirt nervously.
Security clearance? It sounded so mundane… so why was Seb so upset? And why wouldn’t he let Jay come with me?
I wanted to ask, but one look at Seb’s face told me he was done answering questions. So, I swallowed down my curiosity and just focused on not tripping over my own feet as my much shorter legs rushed to keep up with Seb’s long strides.
We entered the practical therapy lab to find Luke waiting for us with another man I had never met before. He had a short military haircut with spots of salt and pepper coming in on the sides. His black suit was nondescript, and I hesitated as his eyes met mine.
Glancing up at Sebastian, I frowned at the way his lips pursed at this strange man’s presence.
“Mr. Murphy. So glad you could make it.” Luke gave me a warm smile, and I pushed my glasses farther up my nose, resisting the urge to comment on the fact that I hadn’t been given much of a choice.
“This is Dr. Grey,” Luke said, gesturing to the strange man who was still smiling at me in a way that was making me feel uneasy. “He’s the director of DARPA, and he’s been very anxious to meet you.”
Dr. Grey held out a hand for me to shake, and I took it instinctively.
“Mr. Murphy. Luke here shared your application essay with me, and I must say, I’m impressed. If you ever find yourself looking for a position in defense, we would be lucky to have a man with such innovative ideas on our team.”
“Th-thank you,” I stammered, feeling my face heat. “Now, now, Mr. Grey, no poaching my employees,” Luke chided lightly, though I could tell there was an underlying tone of seriousness in his voice. “Milo is very happy here, aren’t you, Milo?”
