Page 398 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

A quiet sound of approval moves through Iron Star.

The certainty of the appointment strikes Kade somewhere tender.

Not if Luca recovers. When.

‘Our expansion of the Varrow Accords also requires a permanent representative within High Command. Mara.’

She steps forward from the head of her team.

‘You’re our new Consul. You’ll oversee the alliances, maintain the Accords and represent Iron Star in all formal negotiations with the other organisations in this city.’

Mara gives one sharp nod. ‘Heard. Thank you, boss.’

‘Hiru.’

He steps forward next.

‘You’re our Marshal. You’ll take day-to-day command of the Captains, managing assignments, rotations, training and readiness.’

‘Heard.’

‘High Command now consists of Hiru, Mara, Rike, Cole, Finn, Luca and Kade, who retains operational command across all divisions,’ Riley tells everyone. ‘Questions?’

Kade’s focus drifts to Lachlan while Riley answers.

He’s standing all the way at the back, arms crossed, watching Kade.

Not Riley. Not High Command.

Kade.

When their eyes meet, Lachlan subtly signs.

I love you.

Kade’s breath catches.

He taps one ring finger against its twin in threes. He wishes he could sign to Lachlan somehow, but everyone’s looking his way. Somebody would see it.

Riley answers the final question, clarifying the chain of command if communications fail, emphasising his second-in-command once more. After that, he looks across the assembled residents of the Tower, taking his time as though committing every face to memory.

‘Iron Star has survived blood, betrayal and every attempt to tear it apart because we’re also a family.’ His voice softens. ‘I’m proud of what we built here. More than that, I’m proud of every one of you.’

He gives a small nod to Kade, who says, ‘OK, positions and procedure. Let’s move.’

The room explodes into purposeful movement.

Kade speaks quickly with Mara and Hiru, though his gaze is helplessly drawn to the back of the room. As everyone filters out and Rike goes about checking that all Pockets are fully prepped, Kade slips away.

Lachlan waits in the shadows.

‘Hi, baby.’

‘Hello, Bodyguard.’

‘You looked great up there,’ Lachlan comments, reaching casually for Kade’s left hand, thumb rubbing over his ring finger. ‘I’m surprised Harker didn’t use you to smooth things over.’

‘He didn’t need to.’