“What was your plan then?” I ask in dismay. “To just let them kill you?”
Xavier shrugs. “Figured I’d eventually find a way out. Disappear into the wards, maybe.” He studies the stone walls of the cell, cursing under his breath. “But I didn’t foresee their HQ being inside of a fucking mountain. I feel like this poses a problem for my escape plans.”
“You think?” I say, but my good humor fades fast. “I just came from a briefing with the Authority. I spoke to them on your behalf, so hopefully they take what I said into consideration. I told them about the mission in Ward C when we found those fragmented Mods, how disturbed you were about what the Company was doing to them.”
Since his arm is touching mine, I feel it stiffen slightly. Good. He gets it.
“Maybe they don’t believe you’re willing to help us, but I know you meant it when you told me the Company needs to be punished for experimenting on innocent civilians.”
In my peripheral vision, I glimpse the merest hint of a smile.
“But the most important thing is—you risked your life for me, a Mod. I’ll never forget that, and no matter what happens, I’ll do whatever I can to repay the favor. Keen?”
After a beat, he nods, and I squeeze his hand.
“I’m meeting with them again in the morning. Will you be okay sitting tight for now?”
He snorts. “What else do I have to do?”
“I’ll see about getting you a tablet or something.”
“Darlington. They’re not giving me access to any of their tech. Come on now.” He turns to flash a snide grin at the ceiling. “I planon jerking off the entire time I’m in here,” he calls to the camera. “You’re welcome.”
He’s incorrigible. Laughing, I poke him in the side again. “I know you don’t believe me, but I promise I’ll do everything I can to get you out.”
I stay awhile longer, but the conversation is insignificant. We don’t mention Cross or reveal anything we don’t want the Uprising to know. It’s not until I walk to the cell door, prepared to shout for the guard, that Xavier comes up beside me, his rough whisper filling my ear.
“Wren…do you trust these people?”
I tilt my head to meet his serious eyes. “I’ll get back to you on that.”
Gray is the one to collect me from the cells, taking me back to his quarters. I guess I’m not being assigned my own until I pass their little disclosure process.
“I’m sleeping on your couch?” The sofa’s been made up with bedsheets, a pillow, and a thin gray blanket.
“Nope.I’msleeping on my couch.” He sighs. “You, Darlington, are one of the rare women blessed with the honor of gracing my bed.”
“I’m fine sharing if you want.”
“Nah, I don’t think my girlfriend would like that.”
I raise an amused brow at him. “You have a girlfriend.”
“Why do you sound so surprised?”
“Um, because only a few months ago you were sleeping your way through the Command base?”
“She wasn’t my girlfriend then,” he says with a shrug. “Although with that said, you have a very vivid imagination. I didn’t touch anyone on that base. Well, except you,” he amends.
A groove digs into my forehead as I think back to our time together in Silver Block. He certainlyimpliedhe was sleeping around, never once denying the ladies’ man reputation he’d gotten around base.
“Does your girlfriend know?” I prop my hip against the counter that divides the kitchen and living area. “About us?”
“She does not.”
“Should I assume you want me to keep it quiet?”
“Probably a good idea.” He wanders into the kitchen. “Not because I feel guilty about it. She and I weren’t together at the time.” He glances at me over his shoulder, his expression taking on a wry gleam. “But Karra does have a temper, so…Tell her at your own risk.”
