Page 32 of Last Chance to Save the World

Fetor raises an eyebrow. It’s a practiced move, I can tell. He thinks he looks intriguing. “Security flagged that you were heading up to your offices, Rian,” he says, gaze still pinned on me. “And I when I saw you brought a guest...”

“Me.” I do a little flair with my hands, framing my face.

“But you’re not supposed to be here,” he says.

I dare a glance behind the man. There are more people by the door now, wearing dark uniforms. Security goons.

Ada, we haven’t reprogrammed the nanobots!Rian’s panic is evident, even through the computerized voice from the subvocal transmitter.If you need an hour, we’ve got to get this startednow, and we don’t even know where the damn things are!

It’s fine,I repeat, so low I’m not sure it picks up my words.Trust me.

Iabsolutelydonottrust you,Rian shoots back. So, he did hear me.

I take a step forward. Fetor has his hands on his hips, his elbows jutting out, so it’s easy for me to slip my fingers through the crook of his arm and steer him around, deeper into the communications building. Out of the corner of my eye, the security guards follow a pace behind. None of the other workers notice us, not really; my plan to just look like I belong would totally have worked if this asshole hadn’t interrupted us.

“I know I’m not supposed to be here,” I tell Strom. He bends his head toward me, still letting me stroll deeper into the room.

Good. He’s amused. Eventually, someone is going to piece together what’s happened and tell him, but...it’s not too late to get out of this whole situation.

“Can you keep a secret?” I ask Fetor.

He pauses. A little smile quirks up one corner of his lips.

“I’m only sleeping with Rian so I can get here,” I say in a staged whisper.

Strom snorts, and luckily, the noise cancels out the sputtering sounds Rian makes.

“You didn’t seem his type,” Fetor says.

What a fucking pretentious jackass.

But I smile sweetly.

“I just have this...fascination,” I say, gesturing to the room. Everyone here is busy except for us, all the workers bent over consoles or screens or walking with urgency. There’s a party downstairs, but the people here are too busy ensuring that the entire galaxy’s communication network runs smoothly; they don’t have time for catered pastries. Unlucky bastards.

“A fascination?” Fetor prompts.

I nod, and while his eyes are glued on me, I notice him wave his hand, letting the security drop back. My heart eases a little, and I funnel that relief into a smile that’s actually genuine. “I love the way technology works.”

“I guessed. The control room at the museum, the portal ring on display...”

“A passion you share with me.”

Fetor cocks his head. “I thought you hated me.”

I squeeze his elbow. “Ido,” I say. No point lying about that. “I really despise you. But maybe some of that is jealousy.” I force a pout on my lips.Noneof my emotions for Fetor are rooted in envy. “You have all the best stuff. And it’s been impossible to see any of it without a little...”

“Manipulation?”

I let go of Fetor’s arm and snap my fingers as if he said the perfect word. “Exactly!”

Fetor glances at Rian. “Sorry, old boy. I could have told you that you can’t trust a girl like her.”

“I know,” Rian says, glaring.

“Don’t be jealous,” I say. “We had a good time, didn’t we? Consider last week payment for the invite here.”

Fetor laughs. He finds this amusing, the idea I’m planting in his head, that I just slept with Rian to get here, next to him.

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