What if Panacea had been complicit, too?
The thought of being unable to trust Sauda and Niall was too improbable for her to bear.
“If our people are a part of this,” she said slowly, “and if the CIA is involved, then Tems is in very real danger. He’s been captured and arrested by the police. They’re going to turn him in to the CIA.”
Winter shook his head, still frowning. “None of this makes any sense. Why would the US want their president dead?”
“To start a war,” she replied. The clarity hurt her heart.
“Why would the US want to start a war?”
“You think we don’t start wars every other year?” She glanced at Dameon, who had turned ashen. “If we trigger a crisis and pin it on China, we get to wage war.”
“It benefits no one.”
“It would benefit someone. Military corporations. Weapons manufacturers.”
Winter narrowed his eyes. “A rogue faction?”
Sydney nodded, her mind turning faster. A rogue faction in the CIA would make sense, and the thought terrified her to her core.
“Why do they want Panacea dead?” Winter asked quietly. “Niall? You? Tems?”
“Because we’re in the way,” she whispered back. She looked at Dameon. “Keep this to yourself, at all costs. All our lives depend on it. You are now officially a Panacea asset, and as such, you are both in our care and sworn to silence. Do it if you care for your own life.” She nodded at Winter. “Or his.”
She thought that Dameon might break down, that he might spiral into a panic attack. But the boy, as frightened as he looked, gave her a sober, resolute nod.
She looked at the jet. “Make sure this stays here for us. Tell Claire any lie that will keep her from asking too many questions.” Then she looked at Winter. “Stay here.”
“Like hell I will.” He stepped forward.
She sighed. “What now?”
“You’re off to rescue Tems, I’m guessing.”
“He’s our mission.”
“And I’m your partner.”
The way he said it made her catch her breath. There was a glint in his eyes that she recognized, a bright stubbornness that told her that forcing him to stay would cause her more trouble than it was worth. And again, she felt that panic rise in her chest, the feeling of being tethered to someone, the danger of that tether shredding her heart.
He took another step toward her. “I’m not leaving you behind,” he said. “Not after everything. We’re either getting out of here together, or not at all.”
Dameon crossed his arms and frowned at Winter. “You know, I used to think Gavi was the most dangerous relationship you could be in,” he muttered. “But this is definitely worse.”
Sydney tightened her lips, hesitating. Then she turned away from Winter and walked toward the motorcycle. “Come on,” she said.
She straddled the vehicle and felt him swing on behind her, his familiar, warm arms wrapping tightly around her waist. In spite of everything, she felt a rush of relief that he was with her, that she wasn’t alone, that at least they could trust each other. And in this moment, she wished with all her heart that he could always be here.
“Where is he?” Winter asked.
“Being held at the border for now,” she said. She revved the motorcycle’s engine, and it let out a roar. “Not for long, though. I’m sure they’ve confiscated his tracker.”
“If Tems complains about this rescue,” Winter grumbled as Sydney gripped the handles, “I’m going to kill him.”
And at that, Sydney found herself smiling.
29Predator and Prey
