Page 179 of Silver Elite

It’s impossible to concentrate on Griff, so I lean back in my chair, rubbing my temples as if I’m warding off a headache.

“What’s going on?”I ask Tana.“Are you okay?”

“I need you. Where are you? I don’t know what to do.”

“I’m in Hamlett.”

“You are?”Her relief hits me like a gust of wind.“Please come. I’m at the inn. You need to come as fast as you can.”

I tamp down the rising panic. I don’t know how I’m going to make that happen.

“Why don’t I bring the captain in here and he can verify the deal?” I say to Griff, scraping my chair back. “And I’ll grab us some coffee. I need the caffeine fix. My head feels like it’s going to explode.”

Griff is not a stupid man. He knows me well, and he understands what my pointed look means.

“You can trust Captain Redden. I promise you, the deal is real.”

At least I hope it’s real. Cross said he would spare their lives, and I have to believe he’ll keep his word.

Griff nods. When our gazes lock, I hear his unspoken plea. He knows I’m going to Tana.

I step into the hall to find Cross frowning at me. “Why did you walk out? What the hell was that?”

“He needs to hear you confirm the deal,” I lie. “I could see it on his face that he needed to hear it from an authority figure. He still views me as a kid. Probably thinks I don’t have the power to grant deals.”

It’s a believable excuse, and Cross buys it.

“I’ll talk to him,” he says. “And those coffees sound pretty fucking good. Get me one, too.”

“Wren! Please. Help.”

“I’m trying. Tell me what happened.”

“I need you. Room 4.”

“I need some air first,” I blurt out.

Cross’s frown deepens.

“Only for a minute. I just…It was hard seeing him in there like that. I need a minute to regroup before I continue.”

“Don’t take too long.”

“I’ll be right back,” I assure him.

I keep a measured stride until I round the corner. Then I bolt forward like my horse whenever she hears thunder, tearing for the exit.

Outside, the controller station is deserted. From here, it’s about a mile to the town square and the inn. I could try to run, but I worry I’ll get caught before I get there.

I can’t risk taking any of the Command trucks, so I scan the area until I spot a dusty black motorcycle parked against a wall. The lock on the thumb pad isn’t engaged.

With only the briefest of hesitations, I throw one leg over the bike.

I’ll return it. I’m not stealing it. I just need to get to Tana.

“Tana, talk to me,”I say as I speed away.

She doesn’t answer, but our link remains open. I know she can hearme.

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