Page 58 of Jump or Fall
“So, the mech is out there right now patrolling Seven,” Silva said. “After the death of one enforcer and two others still recovering, they don’t have the manpower to keep human patrols.”
Kimmie crossed her arms and snorted. “You’re telling me. They gave me some newbie they rushed through training. Cocky Silver douchebag.”
A lump formed in her throat. “Is his name Jasper?”
She propped her feet up on an empty chair. “Yep. Why? Is he your side piece?”
Mara ground her teeth. “He’s Dawson’s nephew.”
Kimmie’s head snapped up. “You serious?”
“Yes.”
“Why would he put his own nephew in Eight?” Her voice was skeptical.
She had a guess. “Punishment.”
“Must have really pissed him off.”
Gordon tried to interrupt, “Kim—”
“Why would I make that up?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you like attention.”
Mara’s patience had evaporated. “What the hell is your problem with me?”
Silva attempted to intervene, reaching out to Kimmie, but she yanked her arm away. “Maybe if you were a better fuck, he wouldn’t have taken my sister!”
Gordon bolted off the bed and stopped inches from her face, one firm hand on the table. “Shut. The fuck. Up. Kimmie.”
Pain and defiance flickered across Kimmie’s face as he stood over her. The pieces clicked into place, at least partially. Mara’s heart fluttered over Gordon coming to her defense.
“Nella is your sister?” Mara asked.
Kimmie’s eyes glistened. “Have you seen her?”
“No… I’ve never met her.” She hadn’t even seen a picture.
Gordon straightened, backed away, and returned to the bed across from Mara. He pinned Kimmie with a dark stare.
“Can you tell me anything?” Kimmie asked, grasping.
Mara looked down, rubbing her thumb against the helmet. “After problems with Karena, he started keeping us apart. It doesn’t sound like she’s living with him, though. So he must have moved her to herown place. That’s a step in the right direction. It means she’s earned his trust.”
Kimmie’s head jerked in acknowledgment, tears trailing down her cheek.
“Now, can you stop biting my head off? I can try to get more information, but he doesn’t exactly visit me to talk.”
Gordon stiffened, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
Kimmie nodded. “Okay.”
“Why didn’t you ask me before?”
Now Kimmie shot Gordon a look. “Someone didn’t want you to get spooked.”
“You were already about to bolt when I said ‘Silva’. If I asked about Nella, then I was sure you’d tell me to ‘fuck off’,” Gordon said.
