“No mirrors in my cell.”
He gasped with mock horror. “So cruel! How did you ever survive?”
I laughed. It had been such a long time since a happy feeling has touched me that I wanted to prolong it. I cut off whatever Riley planned to say next by drawing him in for a long kiss that left us both breathless. Deciding that conversation was overrated, I claimed his lips again and yanked him down so he lay next to me on the couch.
My fingers unbuttoned his shirt, I snaked my hands along his chest and around to his back. I would have ripped it off, but he pulled away.
“As much as I would love to continue,” he panted. “We don't have any time to spare.”
“We might not get another chance,” I said.
“If we don't get moving, we're guaranteed not to get any more chances.”
“That bad?”
“Yep. We need weeks to finish installing a second network. Which we won't get now that the Outsiders are already inside. We're hoping you and Logan's idea has a quicker turnaround time?”
“I'm not sure. We'll have to ask Logan.”
“We'll need to regain control of the air plant first,” Riley said. “Without that, we're sunk.”
“I'll get Logan and take him up to the top of the Expanse.”
“The top?”
Describing the top level to Riley, I filled him in.
“Why didn't you tell me this before?”
“I really don't know. Just after I discovered it all this trouble started between us. At the time, I was overwhelmed, scared, anduncertain. Almost like I feel now except for the uncertain part.” To prove my point, I kissed him again, letting my hands slide all the way down his back.
Riley sat up and grabbed my wrists. “Your timing sucks. You know that don't you?”
“I hate to waste this opportunity.”
“We'll get another one. I promise.”
“You can't promise. Not this time. I've seen the Outsiders. I've been…” I closed my eyes as memories of pain rolled through me.
Riley cupped my face with his hands, getting my attention. “Sounds like the Outsiders are too hard to beat. You can't fight them. So you can stay here while Jacy, Logan, Anne-Jade, and I make a token attempt to thwart them.”
“I know what you're doing.”
“Me?” He tried to appear innocent.
“You're telling me I can't fight so I'll get angry and prove you wrong.”
“Did it work?” he asked.
I huffed with amusement. “A little.”
“How about if I add on guilt? Reminding you that Sheepy wouldn't be happy if the Outsiders replaced the Pop Cops and his rebellion was all for nothing.”
Guilt was a factor. Not for Sheepy, but over Cogan. He would hate this. I'd like to turn back the clock and start again from when we beat the Travas. That was impossible, but I remembered a phrase that kept me focused during the bad times. Maximum damage. This time I would impart maximum damage for Cogon.
“I can see that little evil gleam in your eyes. You're back!” he said.
Riley's broad smile shot through me, and I couldn't resist kissing him again. But this time, I pulled away so we could discuss plans.
