Page 163 of The Crowned Garza

He’s a complex one. I’ll miss going rogue with him.

“Now that all the personal stuff is out of the way, let’s talk about Red Cage,” I say. “Log in to RedCloud and you will find I’ve uploaded a document outlining all Torin-approved plans and personnel changes that will be made moving forward.”

Avoiding all questions and personal comments will make it clear that my decision is final and won’t change. I allow several seconds of silence for it to permeate, for them to accept it and switch gears from personal to business.

Once they’ve all reluctantly picked up their tablets and opened the document, I continue. “I have Contact Hour with Tor in ten minutes, so I’ll only be discussing the most important change right now.”

“You mean this shit about a new CTO?” Trent asks.

“Correct. Due to new demands, I will be stepping back as CTO. We’ve already hired my replacement—the brilliant, intelligent, and ingenious Rumi Lin, who will be flying in next week. Don’t worry, I’ll still be on floor three, but my focus will mostly be on Core Six and expanding RedWatch to increase profits. Rumi will handle the day to day of the tech department and will report only to me.”

They’re all quiet for a bit, their displeasure with this new change palpable.

“This new CTO,” Trent starts, “is she as good as you?”

“I wouldn’t have hired her if she wasn’t capable. I jumped through hoops to get her to agree to this job, so I’ll need you all to stay out of her way and not mess this up.”

Defensively, Trent demands, “Why’re you only looking at me?”

“Because you’re the only one who doesn’t know how to talk to people like a normal human being,” I reply. “You’re uncongenial and have a shit temper, so just steer clear of her with that mug. It’s not easy to find people of her caliber.”

“No shit,” Reuben mutters.

“Whatever,” Trent mumbles.

“Wait, so who’s gonna conduct us with international missions?” Tripp asks. “’Cause if that ain’t you, this is it for me. I’m quitting.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I assure them. “On all your missions, it will still be me in your ear. These changes are necessary to cut down on my workload.”

Reuben coughs into his fist, “And free up time to fuck their sister.”

Tripp daggers a glare at Reuben. “You’re asking for a beating, my friend.”

Reuben holds his hands up in mock bewilderment. “What? All I did was cough.”

“Thanks for staying on,” Trent says, rare sincerity in his voice. “I don’t really like you right now, but I don’t trust anyone else to have my back when I’m out there. Hate to admit it, but True’s right. You’re kinda like a mini-god to us, so...yeah, thanks for sticking with us.”

“As a colleague,” I remind him, then check my watch. “Okay, that’s all I have time for. We’ll have to reschedule to go over the other things.”

“I hate this,” True complains. “I hate all of this. Guy, can we just—”

“True,” Trent cuts him off, shaking his head. “Just let it go.”

I gather my things, then walk out without a backward glance.

CHAPTER THIRTY – SEVEN

“No frills, no glitter, no poetry.”

Santo

I STOP OUTSIDE THEkitchen door and watch them through the oval plexiglass.

Mia madreand Tillie.

They’re picking at pastry while Mamma shows her something on her phone, laughing like old friends.

While I’ve been tied up doing damage control at Red Cage and training the new CTO the past two weeks, these two have been meeting up almost daily. Coffee dates, lunch dates, dinner dates.