Page 28

“You have been late on six occasions in the last month. I have also heard grumbles of unrest from Councillor Agrave.”

Rane had been late by a couple of minutes a few times. It was no big deal. “That guy is a jerk. He treats me like a servant.”

Cowes nodded. “We all have challenges when we deal with individuals in positions of authority.”

“You mean we have to deal with their over-inflated egos and sense of self-importance.”

“That’s exactly what we do. If we can’t handle that, then everything slips out of control. We are there as a calming focus. It’s not about us and how we feel.”

Rane let out a sigh. “I get it.” He hated feeling like he was less important than the diplomats he served. Most of them appeared so out of touch with the situation in the star system that they could be talking about a completely different war.

“Let’s hope so. Do I have your guarantee there will be no more slipups?”

Rane’s gaze slid to his paintings. “I’ll do my best.”

“That’s not good enough. I need your complete commitment. You have to put aside these things.”

“I’m not sure I can.”

“You must. We’re at a crucial stage in negotiations.”

“I’m aware of that. I’ve sat through every tedious diplomatic session so far.”

“And spent most of them staring out the window.”

Rane shrugged. “Not all the time.”

Cowes grabbed the painting of the Earth beach. “This cannot be more important. You must make a choice. Your work or your art.”

“I choose both.” Rane’s heart clenched as he saw the way Cowes fingers dented the canvas.

“You can’t have both. Look into your own family history to see that. Your father tried, and he failed. He humiliated you and your family.”

“I’m not humiliated because my father tried something different. It’s everyone else who has a problem with him.”

“Because he was selfish. His own desires were put before everything else. His lack of focus caused the last resurgence in the war.”

Fuck, Cowes was dragging up every piece of dirt he could today. “He’s not the only one who can influence the diplomatic process. That wasn’t his fault.”

Cowes turned around the painting and stared at it. “If he had been there, I’m convinced things would have been different. We cannot have a repeat of that ever again.”

“That’s something I can’t guarantee. Other people screw up.”

“You’re my biggest screw-up on the team. Give me your word you’ll destroy these paintings and get back to work.”

Rane’s heart clenched as he looked at his art. His gaze lingered on the sketches of Nell. He couldn’t destroy these; they felt like a part of him. It would feel like punching himself in the head if he got rid of them.

“I’m waiting.”

“I’ll put them in storage. I can work on them when our latest mission has come to an end.”

“That’s not acceptable.”

Rane’s fingers clenched. “I’m not getting rid of them.”

Cowes dumped the painting back on the easel, the canvas bending in the middle. “Then you leave me with no choice. You are suspended from duty.”

Chapter 9