The broadcast cuts off without warning, the holoscreen flickering before shutting off and disappearing from view. The mess hall is deadly silent for several beats.
“Godfucker,” Evlynne finally mutters, and then the entire room seems to be speaking at once.
I hear incredulous laughter at another table. A few snorts. A male voice remarking, “Someone’s on a power trip.”
My mind is spinning too hard to pay much attention to all the reactions. Travis had delivered that broadcast alone. Where was Cross? Roe? How do either of them fit into any of this? And why didn’t Cross warn me his brother was planning to deliver a war declaration this morning?
“You good over there?” Gray’s voice nudges me out of my thoughts.
“Oh. Yes. I’m fine,” I say, trying to pretend the broadcast hadn’t left me shaken. Nobody else seems too concerned by Travis’s bold threats.
“You sure, cowgirl?”
“Cowgirl?” Karra’s pinched expression belies her airy tone.
I don’t think I blame her. If Cross had a nickname for another woman, I’d rip his tongue out.
Since I’m not a total bitch, I decide to do Gray a favor. “That was my nickname at the Command base,” I tell his girlfriend. “Everyone called me cowgirl because I grew up on a ranch in Z.”
The nickname was used exclusively by Grayson Blake.
But she doesn’t need to know that.
I don’t miss the quick flicker of gratitude that passes through his eyes. “Sorry, all those Command nicknames are stuck in my head now. I should probably break myself out of the habit.”
“Oh no, I think it’s cute,” Karra chirps, while her tight jaw reveals “cute” is not the word she really wants to use.
Luckily, I’m given a reprieve when I feel Adrienne trying to link with me.
“Are you still with Gray?”she asks.
“Yes, why?”
“Have him bring you to my quarters. We need to speak.”
Adrienne’s quarters are larger than Gray’s, but not any more luxurious. Inside, I find sparse furnishings and zero frills. It appears nobody lives beyond their means on this base.
“Your lieutenant friend is an insufferable ass,” Adrienne says as we enter the living area. She doesn’t offer me a drink or make small talk. I get the feeling this woman is always business.
I bite my lip in amusement. “Xavier’s an acquired taste.”
She lifts a brow. “Are you sure you want to continue vouching for him?”
“If it saves him from execution, yes.”
“Well, he’s refusing to cooperate, so execution is looking like the likeliest option here. We’d give him back to the Company, but they don’t want him, either. They released a red threat for him.” She gestures to the small sofa. “Have a seat.”
“Am I ever getting my own quarters?”
“We’ve assigned you a room on Gray’s block. The current occupant is being relocated. Room’s being cleaned now. It should be ready for you soon.”
“You kicked someone out of their room for me?”
She waves off my consternation. “Take it up with Gray. He requested it.”
I don’t know whether to be touched or annoyed that Gray wants to keep me close. I suppose it depends on his motives. If it’s because of how much he’s missed my amazing friendship, I’ll give him a pass. But if he thinks I can’t watch out for myself, then he should know me better by now.
Adrienne settles in an armchair and crosses her legs. She clasps her hands on her thighs. “Let’s discuss your goals, Wren.”
