In an odd way, it’s reassuring. I’ve never been one to doubt my purpose or the means I strategize to get there, but it’s still nice to know that Robin has landed on thesame plan. It’s a good one. The next necessary step if we’re ever going to make any sort of inroads against the Capitol.
He wants to know when and how I’m planning to attack so he can assist, but I don’t need Ben clearing his throat obsessively behind me to know not to tell him details.
This is real. I’m sure it’s real. But Robin is still an unknown quantity, and I’m not going to trust all our work and my people’s lives in his hands.
Instead, we agree that he’ll set up camp on the far side of the Arsenal, out of sight but close enough to get word when my attack happens. Then his group can be ready to move in from the rear, providing backup and a second line of defense.
Our own plans will still work without him, but our success is much more likely with Robin and his crew on our side.
It’s a good compromise. I’ve offered Robin no specifics he can take back to the Capitol to use against us, but we can still work together when the time comes.
Even Ben, as grumpy as he’s been throughout the meeting, nods when I look over my shoulder to get his agreement.
At the end of our conversation, I ask him about a dog named Bill. He says he travels through villages as the farm trader who picked us up on the side of the road, and that’s how he met Bill, Teresa, and Mason. He had some suspicions, and verified them when we showed up in the areaas Mother was dying. Teresa and Mason don’t know who he is, and he’ll never say a word to anyone else about the connection.
It gives him power over me, but if he wanted to use it against me, surely he already would have.
So I’m excited, almost exhilarated when we walk out of the tent. I gesture toward my people stationed around the camp to indicate we’re heading out now.
Our original plan was good—nuanced and careful and sharply creative—but having Robin’s cooperation could make all the difference.
“You’re welcome to stay the night,” Robin says, stepping closer, shifting seamlessly into charming mode from his matter-of-fact efficiency in the tent. “I’d make it worth your while.”
Ben hasn’t said a word the whole time, and he’s still behind me, but I sense tension from him at this offer.
“No, thanks,” I say with a smile, wishing Ben’s vibes weren’t quite so distracting back there.
“Too bad.”
I’m about to reply in kind, just some sort of friendly banter, when Ben moves forward and takes my arm, speaking for the first time since we arrived. “We need to move. It’s getting late.”
Robin’s eyes laugh at him. “I see.”
“You see what?” I ask, since Ben is pretending the other man doesn’t exist.
“Story of my life. Always getting where I want to go just a little too late.”
Ben remains grumpy all evening.
Since I’m usually the prickly, moody one while he’s as steady as a rock, it’s a strange reversal. As we return to the outpost, get reports, and share news of Robin’s participation, Ben is stiff and silent. Even over dinner when everyone not on duty relaxes, Ben still feels like he’s bristling beside me.
Occasionally, when someone asks a question of him or makes a teasing comment about his bad mood, he bites out a terse response.
Finally I meet his eyes across the bench we’re sharing in the courtyard and make a subtle inclination of my head toward the building.
When he stares blankly, I make a face at him and jerk my head again.
He knows perfectly well what I mean. We need to have a private conversation, and the only space available for that to happen is the storage room.
We’ve had sex there almost every day, but it’s not sex I have in mind right now.
I’m trying to be patient because everyone is allowed an occasional dark mood, but this isn’t like him, he won’t snap out of it, and it’s getting on my nerves.
I thought initially it was some kind of territorial thing with Robin. After all, Ben’s always been my second, and Robin’s sudden appearance might feel like a threat. Not that he could ever be replaced or that I’d consider it for even an instant, but Robin’s personality could easily grate on a man like Ben. But that should only be a passing thing, and whatever is eating at him right now isn’t passing.
Getting up, I make a casual excuse and walk back into the building, sticking my head into the command station to ask Ryan if all is quiet on the radio. It is, so I head to the back hallway and walk to the storage room, pleased to discover that the hall is quiet and the storage room is empty.
Ben shows up three minutes later, glowering as he steps in and closes the door.
