“I can provide data,” Skylor says. “Zymlor Ak Layn’s team will make the preliminary research available under a strict NDA and confidentiality seal.”
“Zymlor Ak Layn is the lead medical researcher?”
“He coordinates the off-world synthesis work,” Skylor says. “He is difficult, brilliant, and unfortunately my brother.”
That almost earns a smile from MacArthur. Almost.
“If this is true,” MacArthur says slowly, “then the environmental story and the medical story are tangled together.”
“Yes,” I say. “Which is why we need you, not a safer replacement.”
She studies me for a long moment. “I will need direct access to the research team before I attach my name to any revised release.”
Skylor’s jaw tightens. I squeeze his hand once.
He says, “Limited access can be arranged.”
“Limited by whom?”
“By my brother.” He glances at me, and the gold in his eyes banks into something hotter and more dangerous than tenderness. “Not by my preference. It’s his research, and he protects it like Fort Knox.”
Dr. MacArthur sighs. “Send the charter. I’ll review with my counsel. If the safeguards hold, I’ll sign a revised release.”
My lungs open. “But,” she says. Of course there is a but. There is always a but.
“I want one line in the published article stating that Athena’s editor-in-chief is mated to a Layn executive connected to the Brazilian plantations.”
Skylor goes very still. I answer before he can. “Agreed.”
His gaze snaps to me. I hold it. “The readers deserve to know.”
“They will use it against you,” he says.
“Some will.” I squeeze his hand. “Let them. I’m not going to hide our relationship.”
His voice lowers in a way that calls my slick, and he takes a deep inhale. “Agreed.”
MacArthur’s eyes soften by half a degree. “Then we still have a story.”
“No,” I say, and my own voice surprises me. Stronger now. Clear. “We have abetterone.”
The call ends ten minutes later with tasks, deadlines, and enough legal complexity to give everyone in the room a stress rash as they leave.
Loora pauses near the door and gives me the call-me-later sign. I roll my eyes and nod my head at Sky. Does she really think I’ll get anywhere near a phone tonight? She grins, then she leaves too.
Silence settles. The good kind this time. Charged. Breathing. Full of all the words we did not say in a room full of Layn employees. Neither of us moves.
The city glows behind the glass wall, bright and indifferent. His eyes are nearly black now, gold burning at the rims.
“You agreed to public disclosure. You know the pressure that might bring.”
“Yes.” I move closer. The bond warms. “I’m not worried. I know who stands beside me.”
His gaze drops to my mouth. “I will. Every damn day for the rest of your fucking life. I hope you’re prepared for that.”
“Does it matter?” I touch the center of his chest, where his heart still beats too hard under my palm.
His eyes close for one second. Only one. When they open, the alpha is still there. He fills the room, dark and furious and barely contained.
