Page 48 of Expecting The Unexpected
Hron shook his head, “Maybe you’re right, I think you are. However, that doesn’t change the fact that you are the first Viata to be expecting a chickpea, Spencer. I can’t allow you to put yourself in danger.”
Spencer felt his anger rising, but knew that wouldn’t work with Hron. Logic was the only way to go when it came to the Caliph. “Hron, you read that chat. This Zeus guy sounds like he’s in this clutch house, and we have no idea who the hell he is. He plans on killing my baby and from the sound of it soon. With you, Throg, and so many other guards gone, doesn’t that put me in greater danger to stay here right now? Besides, we need what’s on that computer, Hron, and I’m the only one that can get the information.”
“You’re not going,” Throg practically growled.
Whipping his head towards Throg, he hissed, “You stay out of this. Your opinion is biased and you know it. I swear to you both, I need to go. We don’t know if those flash drives are holding real information or not, but that Zeus guy was adamant about Tumm keeping it safe. He threatened his life for god’s sake. I can get in that computer. I can get past the encryption.”
Hron nodded, “You will do as you’re told, Spencer.”
“Hron!” Throg snarled.
However, the Caliph ignored him and continued, “If things seem too dangerous, and we tell you to stand down, that is exactly what you’re going to do. Do you understand me? No heroics. No hesitation. We say the word, and you back the fuck off.”
“Deal,” Spencer said, before Throg could jump in, “But I also have a stipulation on my compliance.”
“Go on,” Hron said firmly.
“I don’t get pulled out because of your fear or Throg’s. If there’s a threat, fine, but if it’s because you changed your mind, because of the baby, no. I have the right to refuse your request,” Spencer stated, just as firmly as Hron had.
Hron thought a moment then said, “Deal.”
Spencer turned to Throg, “I know you want me and our child safe. I do too, Throg. I have too much to live for, and I want to hold our little one as much as you do. But, I’m honestly the only one that can do this. If I thought for a moment you or any of the others could get that information off that computer, I’d let them. The information on that computer might change everything for us. We might learn who’s behind all this shit and why. It could make us all safer.”
Throg’s jaw was tight as stone. He hated what Spencer was saying, but Spencer could also see he couldn’t argue the logic.
Taking a tentative step closer to Throg, Spencer softly said, “I promise I’ll be careful. I’ll just need you to have my back.”
Throg held still when Spencer wrapped his arms around Throg’s waist, and after a moment, Throg finally wrapped his own around Spencer. “I’ll always have your back.”
Spencer snorted, “Well I hope not. One day I hope to tap that ass.”