“Any day now,” Xavier cracks.
Irritation flashes in Adrienne’s eyes. “Shut up, Ford. And perhaps consider saying thank you to the woman beside you. She’s the only reason we’re even entertaining this.”
“Entertaining what? What did you agree to, Darlington?”
“Wren believes that your loyalty to her trumps your former ties to the Company,” Adrienne says. “We’ve decided we’re willing to give you a shot to extend that loyalty to the rest of us.”
Xavier lifts his bound hands to the side of his face, scratching his beard. “I’m not selling out my fellows.”
“You’re not in any position to negotiate,” Teriq says coldly.
“I have friends in the Command. People I won’t betray.” He pauses. “There are limits to the intel I’m willing to offer.”
My gaze swings to his. This sounds…promising. That option wasn’t even on the table when we spoke this morning.
“I’ll never give you everything,” he tells them, “but I can give yousomethings. Take it or leave it.”
Fiona shakes her head irritably. “Why are we wasting our time on this man?”
“Because I owe him my life,” I say.
“It’s some intel or no intel at all,” Xavier reiterates. “Your call.”
Kallister and Adrienne exchange a look, but I think they had already decided what they were going to do before they summoned him here, because nobody asks us to step out of the room so they can discuss it.
“You’ll be released into Wren’s custody effective immediately,” Kallister says, an icy glint in his eyes. “One misstep and you hang.”
Adrienne turns to address me. “As of now, he’s tied to you, Darlington.”
I falter. “What does that mean?”
“It means if he fucks up, you’re both punished. If he does something that warrants losing his life, you lose yours, too.”
“Well, hell,” Xavier says sarcastically. “There goes my dastardly plan to blow up your secret mountain base.”
“Xavier,” I caution. To the others, I say, “I’ll keep him in line. I promise.”
“I’d like to see you try,” he mocks.
A sigh slips out.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
Chapter 18
Xavier is outfitted with a tracker, a thin metal band that Teriq snaps around his wrist with great glee and more force than necessary. It can’t be released without a security code that only the Authority knows. I guess they don’t trust me enough to not free my new buddy. Actually, make that my newroommate,because—against my very vocal protests—I am now sharing a room with Xavier Ford.
I insisted that I’m perfectly capable of keeping a watchful eye on him even if he’s next door, but I suspect this is the Authority’s way of punishing me for fighting for him. They don’t think a Command lieutenant deserves my loyalty, and they’ve chosen to drive that point home by removing the small love seat across from my bed and replacing it with a bed for Xavier.
“Is this really necessary?” he complains, holding up his wrist.
“Trust me, I’m not thrilled about sharing a lavatory with you, either.”
“I was talking about this fucking tracker. But you’re right. The lav bit is equally preposterous. What if I want to jerk off in the shower?”
“I can stand there and watch,” I say helpfully. “Cheer you on.”
Xavier doubles over. “Oh, hellfuck, that would be amazing.”
