Page 125 of Between Earth and Eternity
No one says anything for several seconds, each of us processing, thinking ahead to the next part of the mission, the next task at hand. It’s what we’ve had to do for the last several years, trying to stay five steps ahead, but nothing prepared us for this.
“I hope you’re happy,” Payson spits.
“Excuse me?” I snarl. I was expecting this, just not now.
“She’s in danger, maybe dead because you just couldn’t help yourself.”
I push my tongue into my bottom lip. I can’t let anger rule me right now; it won’t help anything, especially getting Skyler back.
“You’re a fucking hypocrite. You know that?” He seethes when I don’t respond. Of course I know, and now I have to live with the consequences. I won’t rest until I can fix it.
I take a deep breath before I respond, “I did my best to deny her. Her reputation was dangerous, and I stand by what I told you: it wasn’t worth the risk. But then . . .”
I fell in love with her. That’s the honest truth, but it’s not for them to know. Not yet. Maybe never. But at least not until I get her back. Laz and Bex exchange a look. Pleased or worried, I can’t tell.
“I realized that Nova needed her just as much as I did.”
“That’s bullshit.” I see the utter devastation on Payson’s face. He loves her too, I know it, but the record needs to be set straightonce and for all. If it makes me cruel, then so be it. It’s a mask I adorn so often anyway that it might as well be sewn to my skin. “She chose me, Payson. I’m not sure if I will ever understand why, but she did,” I say as directly as I can, but it does nothing to tame his rage.
“And look where that got her.”
“I’d stop if I were you before you regret it,” I dare through clenched teeth.
I swear his fingers inch toward his rifle subconsciously for a moment, but then he lets his hand fall.
“I know Skyler spoke with you, and if you can’t get over it, then you need to leave. I’ll make arrangements to make it appear like you were never connected to Nova. We have bigger things than your wounded pride to worry about right now, and if you can’t man up and take it, then go while you’re still able to,” I offer.
It’s harsh but true. It’s my job to tell it how it is, but I take no pleasure in doing it this time. When he signed up with Nova, he knew it wouldn’t be easy, that sacrifices would come time and time again.
His hands clench into fists at his side. “Fuck you, Vallen,” he spits and storms from the room. Laz gives me a look of empathy and follows him. Payson’s been holding that in for a while, no doubt. Being in the same room as him for the twenty-six hours before we were rescued was torture enough, but the man has never liked me, nor I him. We are reluctant allies at best.
Bex and I sit in silence for a beat. “Whatever you’re holding back, just say it,” I say, annoyed.
“You knew what you were risking when it came to Skyler. Either you would lose her from keeping the truth from her or to the inevitability that none of us will make it out of this alive. It’s what we do, what we’ve always done.”
“I don’t want to hear this anymore.”
“You need to.” His eyes are heavy with remorse. “You need to let her go.”
A deep pain settles in my chest, my stomach full of stones.
No. There is no plan B. Not this time.
“I’m getting my girl out. There are no other options.”
Bex doesn’t like my answer, his face twisting into disbelief and frustration. “I take no pleasure in saying this, but she is not worth risking this entire mission.”
“Don’t.”
“Val, we all care for Skyler, but—”
“Stop.”
“We can’t jeopardize this, jeopardize millions of people, for one person.” He sighs, shoulders sinking. “We’ve all had to lose something, Val.”
A single laugh escapes me. “And you know better than anyone what I’ve lost, what I have given for this cause.”
“I do, which is why we need Vallen Mannox, the leader, the man who set everything in motion, who exposed the truth.” He steps forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. “And you need to be the one to finish it.”
