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I played with the idea in my head. I could push it. I could push this whole thing and demand that it just be me and my team.But the last thing I needed was to push Sasha over the edge. As much as I didn’t trust her, I still needed her, and I still needed the North. If she was serious about finding a different bargaining chip, I was going to lose any hope of saving my brother. As far as I could tell, this was my only option.

I sighed heavily, and then nodded. “Fine. You have a deal. My team, your operatives, and I go.”

We stared each other down. Her gaze was intense, but I refused to give in. And I was willing to bet that my own glare mirrored every ounce of unyielding frustration that simmered in hers. Finally, Sasha nodded. “Done. You’ll meet with the Sergeant Major tomorrow to discuss mission parameters.”

I nodded. Well, here we go again.

***

How the hell was I going to lead a team? I didn’t know the first thing about designing a mission like this. The Admin Job was one thing. I knew Telvia, had walked the halls of the Administration Buildings a thousand times as a little girl, knew the city like the back of my hand. But even that mission I wasn’t really in control of. I wasn’t the lead. When Wes volunteered, plenty of commanding officers pitched in to help us and Wes naturally took over. He had the experience, knew what to do when I didn’t. Knew what to ask for and who to ask when I was confused and stuck.

But I couldn’t ask him to go this time. Not when I was planning on slipping out in the night with my brother, leaving the team behind. And that brought up another thought…

How could I ask anyone to follow me into this massive death trap, only to ditch them? How could I demand to lead a team, to sacrifice a group of people, for my own selfish reasons?

I leaned back in my seat in the limo, my inner demons toiling inside of me. I couldn’t come back to the North. But asking people to risk themselves for me, only to abandon them, was such a douchey move. God, this sucked. And, let’s not forget that Sasha was sending two of her own operatives with me. How was I going to escape them? Their job was to watch me like a hawk, to ensure my survival at all costs.

I covered my face with my hands. This was such a mess. My power play with Sasha had put me in a total bind. I needed help. I couldn’t plan this whole thing alone. I had to figure out a way to untangle myself from this, to get what I needed from the rebels while simultaneously not leaving everyone out to dry. I groaned and dropped my hands, rubbing my lips together as I mulled it over in my head. I had to pick a team this week. That was the first step. Then I would figure out the rest.

Bing, bing.

I looked at my wrist, watching my tab light up. I tapped the screen to see my message.

Edith:Hey, newbie! Haven’t heard from you in a while. Busy using the special stuff I left for you, eh?

My cheeks flushed with raging heat as my memory pulled up lacy intimates that, in no way, could ever be considered as actual clothing when a sock contained more fabric. I shook my head, trying to get the image out of my mind, and then quickly messaged back.

Mara:First of all, you need to find me a new nickname, because I think I hardly qualify as a newb anymore. Secondly, thanks for all the clothes. And thirdly, you better take all that stuff in that sex drawer back! If Wes’s mom sees that stuff, she’s going to think I’m a total harlot and hate me more than she already does!

Edith:ROTFL! Oh, you’re still a newbie all right. But that’s okay, I’ll show you how to wear it all.

Mara:Absolutely not!

Edith:Oh you’re no fun anymore, girly. If you’re seriously not going to make use of them, then send it my way. I’ve got some ideas…

“Oh my gosh, Edith,” I mumbled aloud. Warmth flushed within me as I imagined Edith dressed up in some of the extraspecialunderwear and bras from my extraspecialdrawer. My tab binged again.

Edith:Have you been into town yet?

Mara:I’ve driven through it.

Edith:Busy?

Was I busy? Technically, yes. I was completely overwhelmed with a task I’d just arm-wrestled Sasha into. And, at the moment, had no clue how to approach it, tackle it, or remotely solve it. I was very busy.

Mara:Nope. Not busy. Why?

Edith:Goodie! Let’s go out for ice cream. Meet me at The Creamery in an hour?

I really didn’t know what ice cream was. I’d never even heard of it. But meeting with Edith sounded like an amazing way to avoid my problems right now. And besides, maybe she could help me come up with a plan or knew someone I could talk to that could help me figure some of this out. Of course, I couldn’t tell her the whole story—she’d be so pissed. But I could at least get help with the mission part, right?

Mara:Absolutely!

I crawled forward through the limo and tapped on the divider. It slid down, revealing Roger on the other side.

“Yes, miss?”

“Can we go to The Creamery in town?”