Page 104 of Silver Elite

It’s become even more imperative that I get out. Cross’s psychopathic little brother shot a young woman in the head, and nobody is batting an eye. I’m in danger, and I’ll always be in danger on a military base full of Primes who share Roe Dunbar’s belief that the Aberrant must die. Must be made extinct.

“Coming?” Lyddie says from the doorway. She’s heading for morning meal.

“How do you even have an appetite?” I ask her, trying to mask my disappointment.

“I don’t. But we’ve got our orders.” She bites her lip. “Come on, let’s go.”

I shake my head. “I’ll be there soon. Just need to send a comm first.”

To nobody. Because nobody cares about me. Tana is dealing with her own troubles. The network doesn’t care about my existence.

“Hey.”

Kaine returns from the lav clad in his short-sleeved navy blues, hair still damp from the shower.

The memory of what we did last night slides to the forefront of my brain, bringing a flush to my cheeks. “Hey.”

He offers a rueful smile. “Are we good?”

It should feel awkward between us considering I crawled into his bed and mauled him, but it’s surprisingly not.

“We’re great. I’m sorry about last night.”

“I’m not.” Kaine approaches the foot of my bed where I’m sitting. As he gazes down at me, his voice thickens. “I like you, Darlington. You know that.”

“I know.”

And I like him, too.

But there’s no guy on this Continent worth it enough for me to stick around here a second longer.

It’s too dangerous, and last night proved it.

“All I’m saying is, if it happens again under different circumstances…” He shrugs, that trademark gleam dancing in his eyes. “I wouldn’t be against it.”

I fight a smile. “Noted.”

“You coming to morning meal?”

“Soon. I’ll see you there.”

After he leaves, I duck out of the barracks and walk in the opposite direction of the mess hall.

I know my way to his office now. God knows I’ve been there enough times.

I’m going to ask to be dismissed. I’ll go to the stockade if that’s what it takes. But I know he doesn’t want to imprison me, so maybe there’s another solution. A compromise we can reach.

I slow down at the sound of voices beyond Cross’s door. Someone is in the office with him.

“Absolutely not.”

I recognize the booming, authoritative tone. It’s the same one I’ve heard hundreds of times on Company broadcasts.

The General is here.

I move closer despite my better judgment. But their voices are low, and I can’t make out exactly what they’re saying. I press myself to the wall outside his door, straining to hear the conversation within.

I’m sure there are cameras watching me do this. I don’t care. I’ll own up to it if Cross interrogates me later.Yes, I eavesdropped on youand your father. No, I’m not sorry. Please, cut me from the Program. Release me from this nightmare.

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