Page 77 of Silver Elite

“I believe very little of what you say to me, Darlington.”

I can’t help a grin. Until my gaze focuses on the platform again, and the humor dies. I gesture below us, a hard edge sharpening my voice. “What you do here is barbaric.”

Cross shrugs. “I don’t do a godfucking thing. The squad isn’t under my purview. That’s Tin Block’s domain.”

I think about those eight men and women who so willingly—happily—fired bullets into my uncle’s body. My fists curl, pressing against my thighs. My need for vengeance hasn’t dimmed, not even a flicker, during this past week.

“With that said…” He slants his head toward me. “Ask yourself what’s more barbaric—ridding society of evil, or making innocent people suffer in order to keep evil alive?”

“My uncle wasn’t evil.”

“What happens down there goes beyond your uncle. Before the Last War, there were penitentiaries all over the world. As a society, we housed millions of criminals. Clothed them, fed them. Cold-blooded killers and child rapists living better lives than most free people. Even the ones who were sentenced to death were allowed tolive for decades past their sentences. They ate three square meals a day while those who hadn’t killed or raped anyone could barely afford to eat. Evil pilfering rare resources from innocent citizens.”

I snort. “Weren’t you the one lecturing me about how life isn’t fair?”

“It isn’t. All I’m saying is, the squad serves a purpose now. Maybe in the Old Era there was a place for mercy. But not anymore.”

“My uncle never hurt a child or killed anyone.” Anyone who didn’t deserve it, anyway.

“Your uncle was a threat to the Company.”

“He was a rancher.”

“He was a deserter. He was Aberrant. And he jeopardized the one thing my father values above all else: order.”

My father.It’s the first time I’ve heard him say that. And it’s the reminder I need to persuade my pulse that it really shouldn’t be racing right now.

This man, no matter how attractive, is my enemy.

“The General is obsessed with correcting the mistakes of the Old Era. That’s all my brothers and I ever heard growing up, how humanity destroyed itself. Letting chaos reign. Encouraging learned helplessness. Kids were in school until their twenties. Adults, too. All these pathetic assholes wasting time, wasting resources. If you’re not productive, you’re destructive.”

“Is that what you believe? Efficiency and order above all?”

His voice becomes rough. “I believe that humanity is wired for destruction no matter the environment. Old Era, New Era. Aberrant on top, Prime on top. We will always find a way to destroy ourselves. We’re a doomed species.”

“That’s really depressing.”

He’s quiet for a moment. This isn’t the Cross Redden I’ve become accustomed to since I got here—mocking, ruthless, violent. This Cross is too introspective for my peace of mind.

When he speaks again, it’s with a flat intonation. “I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work. You think failing your tests and sabotaging yourself at the range will get you cut, but it won’t. I already told you, it’s the Program or the stockade.”

A knot of defiance twists my gut. “You know I don’t belong in the Command. I’m only here because of my uncle’s alleged crimes.”

“Tell me, then—wheredoyou belong? Where do you belong now that Julian Ash is dead? You’ll never be allowed to return to your ward.”

“You don’t even want me in your precious Silver Block.” Frustration clenches in my chest. “You said yourself you don’t trust me.”

“My trust can be earned.”

Well, mine can’t,I almost retort. Because I’ll never trust Cross Redden. Or his father. Or any of the people on this base.

“Yes, I’m sure you plan to shower me with trust.” I give a bitter laugh. “You won’t even approve a leisure pass.”

He returns the laugh, low and mocking. “Is that why we’re out here? Does baby feel left out?”

“Screw you.”

“You want a pass, you have to earn that, too. Your uncle’s actions may have brought you here, but they don’t define you. You have a choice now. You can either let pride and resentment hold you back, or you can rise above it and seize the opportunity you’ve been given.”

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