Her breath hitched.
“I know this is hard. But it’s best we do this now and get it over with.” His voice remained even.
Say something, he mouthed.
She cleared her throat. “I thought you’d fight harder for me.”
Pain flashed across his eyes before he spoke. “It’s not like I have any other choice. The Systems are doing what they think is right, and I can’t give up my career.”
We’re getting you out. Nadine’s helping. Now, say something.
Gemma clenched her hands against the cot, barely breathing. “I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near me either.” Her voice was practically a whisper.
“I just wanted to say goodbye properly,” Christian said aloud, his eyes pooling with tears, then mouthed,I love you. Still. Always.
Her throat burned. She nodded once, her eyes stinging, too overwhelmed to speak.
Christian stood slowly, giving one last look down at her. “I hope you find peace, Gemma.”
Stay strong. I will be back for you.
And then he was gone.
Gemma stayed frozen for a long moment, blinking rapidly against the tears as her electroglass re-solidified.
Christian still loved her. And hewascoming to free her. She just had to bide her time.
Christian paced the floor of his flat like a caged animal, his breath still ragged from the hurried walk back. His eyes burned from holding in tears. He hadn’t expected to break in there. But the way she’d looked at him when she thought he’d actually leave her . . .
He shoved a hand through his hair then slammed his palm against the nearest wall, hard enough to sting. He needed the pain. Gemma was behind reinforced electroglass with guards watching her every hour of every day.
And all he could do was smile and pretend he agreed with it.
A buzz filled the room—someone was pressing the doorbell—in a pattern meant only for him to understand.
Imara.
Christian hurried to pound the unlock, and the door to his flat slid open. Hawk and another man stood next to her.
“Hurry up,” Imara whispered, pushing the guys ahead. “The feed’s gonna re-sync in ten seconds.”
The moment they were inside, Christian shut the door.
“Stars, that was nauseating,” Hawk said. “Ten seconds away from being caught.”
Christian raised an eyebrow.
“You’re being watched,” Imara answered. “They figure you’ll try to break out Gemma, so they’ve warned us not to go anywhere near you.”
Christian turned around, pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes. Of course they were keeping an eye on him. Looked like he was spending the next few days in his flat.
“This is Theo, by the way,” Imara continued. “Nadine told me to recruit him the second we got here. He’s a janitor, stationed in the prison block, and one-hundred-percent loyal to the Dissent.”
Christian faced them again, and Theo nodded a hello.
“Did you talk to Gemma?” Hawk started.
Christian nodded. “She knows we’re breaking her out and that Nadine’s helping.”
