"Riss, would you be a doll and come stand behind me? I might not block much, but it would make me feel better."
She did, but said, "We need to talk."
"You need to dump that solution, Princess, and I need some legs."
The door opened and she flinched. Sin grabbed her wrist, holding her at his side, and looked at the broad, bald man. He wore nothing more than a white close-fit shirt and loose dark jeans. A pair of pistols were strapped to each of the man's thighs, like always.
"Trent," he said, relieved.
Trent's eyes were locked on the girl, though. Slowly they roamed down her body, taking in her clothing, then moved back to her eyes. "Temptation causes the greatest sin, Brother."
"I know. Legate Trent Bader, I'd like you to meet Ingénue R1554-9370S-02K16. She answers to Rissa."
The big man nodded at her politely, then turned back to Sinclair. "Yeah. Rob's got a car. You want this official or quiet?"
"Quiet," Sin said without hesitation. "Get me home. Get her solution dumped, then bring her to me."
"Instead of taking her back?" Trent asked, making no attempt to hide his confusion.
"We've got a few things to cover before she goes back in her box," Sin assured him. "Trent, please?"
"Yeah," he said, dragging out the word. "You should also know Julie's dealing with the corpses you left."
"I owe her one," Sin said. "All of you. Thanks for the assist."
Trent simply opened the door and waved to someone on the other side. Almost immediately, a tall, buff, blonde man pulled the door a bit wider and stepped inside. It was Rob. His eyes quickly took in the scene, landing on Sin last.
"Damn," he groaned.
Trent chuckled. "Lemme help you get him out, then take him to the kid. Not a word of this. He wants it quiet."
"Yep," Rob agreed easily, looking at Rissa. "Nice assignment, Brother."
"Praetor's orders," Sin replied.
"We need to talk," Rissa said again, more forcefully.
He sighed. "I know. Trent, bring her to my place when she's done. I have to take her back anyway." He paused. "Oh, and the transfer isn't easy for her. She'll be weak. Carry her if you have to, but she prefers to keep her composure. Just…" He glanced over at Rissa. "Take care of her for me?"
"Promise," Trent said.
"It's a large download," Rissa added. "OutLink will assume it was a complicated problem. Many Ingénue are not finished within their allotted time. It would make for a plausible excuse."
Both Rob and Trent looked at her quickly, then at Sin. He shrugged. "Yeah, we all need to talk. C'mon, guys. Let's get this done."
"Call Julie and Davis," Trent told Rob. "I'll bring the Princess as soon as I can."
"Wait," she said, looking at Sin desperately. "I don't want to go without you."
"You have to, Riss," he explained. "Trent will take care of you.Trustme."
She nodded her agreement, and the men moved to either side of Sin, wrapping one of his arms around each of their necks. He grunted as they lifted him, clenching his jaw against the pain. His dead legs dragged on the floor as they hauled his broken body to a car just outside. As they laid him on the seat, Sin caught Trent's eye.
"Donotlet her out of your sight. She's the fucking answer."
Chapter Nineteen
Rissa waited in the room in the back for what felt like an eternity. The clock in her head didn't agree, though. It said only twenty-one seconds had passed. Still, being alone in a shop she wasn't supposed to be inside, made her feel an increase in anxiety.
