Page 185 of Silver Elite

I focus on the caches for less than five seconds before she says,“Got it.”

“You don’t need more time?”

“Photographic memory. I can recite them back to you if it makes you feel better.”

I ignore the condescending tone.“No need. Anything else?”

“No. We’ll be in touch.”

She cuts the link, and I flip to a different map. This time, I input a search command. An informant told us yesterday that she thinks Jasper Reed moves his drugs through the coast. I zoom in, scan the area, and click a random site. There. If anyone wants to know why this map was activated, that’s the reason.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know anyone was in here.”

I stiffen when Travis Redden enters the war room.

The resemblance really is remarkable. And unnerving. I know what it’s like to have his brother’s lips on mine, and now I’m staring at lips that are eerily similar.

His demeanor is harder, though. Not that Cross is soft; he’s equally inflexible. But I pick up on a hint of cruelty in Travis. Same way I think Cross can kill without batting an eye, I think this man can, too—only Travis would enjoy it.

“Darlington, right?”

“Yes. Good evening, Colonel. If you’re looking for the captain, I don’t know where—”

“He’s meeting me here,” Travis interjects.

“Oh. All right.” I close the map and move away from the holoscreen. “Sorry, I just needed to grab some grids. I have suspicionsabout—” I stop. “Right. I just realized I don’t know what kind of clearance you have.”

That makes him laugh. “The highest kind. But it’s fine. I don’t need the details of what you’re working on.” He leans his hip against the edge of the desk. “How are you enjoying your new unit?”

“It’s great.”

His gaze begins a slow perusal that makes me uncomfortable.

I force a smile. “Anyway, I should go.”

Travis continues his visual exploration, focusing on the hair I wore loose today. “You’re not his usual type.”

“Whose?”

“My brother’s.”

Roe said the same thing. Although I suppose I understand where both are coming from, when Ivy is who Cross dated before. But Ivy is not as fragile as they clearly believe. She’s in Silver Block, after all. She persevered through the Program for a second time and excelled in it.

“I don’t know why you would bring that up,” I lie. “I’m not with your brother.”

Unless…did Cross say something to him?

Or maybe Ivy did? I swear to hell, if she reported seeing Cross in my quarters and this jeopardizes my place in Elite…

I’ll be calling her out on the next pit night, that’s for hellfucking sure.

“Captain Redden is my commanding officer,” I add. “He doesn’t fraternize with subordinates.”

Travis chuckles again. “Right, my mistake,” he says smoothly.

“Have a good night, Colonel.”

I step into the hall at the same time Cross rounds the corner.

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