Page 38 of Uprising

And I have to fight the very real need to choke.

“Ladies and Gentlemen.” Darius says after breaking off. I keep my eyes focused just behind Darius, as if I’m looking at him, when in reality I’m looking right past him.

“My beautiful wife and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” He says.

More cheers. More fucking noise.

“I’m so honoured to be re-elected as your Governor, to be able to serve all of Verona as I have done, and to continue to turn this city into the glittering home we all love and cherish…”

It sounds like bullshit. As I listen to him drone on about his duty, about his intentions, it all sounds like absolute crap but I keep that sweet smile on my face, I laugh at the few jokes he makes and when he leans in and kisses me again I’m sure to kiss him back.

I’m not stupid. I won’t fuck this up. Not today. Not in front of the hundreds of cameras that are trained on us.

Darius grabs my arse, gropes it as if that’s all I am, a piece of meat, and again enough of the crowd seem to enjoy that moment while internally I swallow another insult.

He thanks them one last time and then we walk away, from the blinding lights, from the thousands of people watching us, back to the muted space behind the stage to where Carter is waiting at the back entrance.

He catches my eye and it’s all I can do not to shudder. He’s half the reason I keep out of the main house, half the reason I hate it as much as I do because he switched teams, got a promotion, he’s all Darius’s man now. Although I suspect that’s got more to do with keeping me in place, ensuring I can’t escape. Maybe my father and Darius put their heads together to come up with that particular plan.

He’s murmuring about protests, about a few streets that have turned to riots, but he’s quick to gloat that the militia have already put out the fires and arrested the troublemakers.

“Good.” Darius says nudging me to the waiting limousine.

I get in and Darius is right behind me with his hands on my hips as if I need help. His leg presses against mine as he sinks into the leather of the seat. And then to my horror Carter gets in as well sitting opposite us in a way that feels more than threatening.

The door slams shut. I jump at the sound and my eyes dart between them.

Carter grins at me.

And Darius puts his hand on my leg in what is an indecently high place.

The windows are blacked out. No one can see in so at least in this moment I don’t have to keep the falsities up. I try to shift away, to pull my body further into the corner but Darius yanks me back with an annoyed growl.

“Why is he travelling with us?” I ask. I can hear it, the fear in my voice.

Darius tuts glancing at me. “We have things to discuss Rose.”

I fold my arms, staring out the window, trying to pretend neither of them are there as the city whizzes past. We’re a good half hour from the House. Darius made sure he hired the best venue in the Bay for his victory speech.

“I’d recommend going street to street.” Carter says still with his eyes fixed on me. “Make an example of them.”

Darius leans back shutting his eyes, rubbing them with his thumb and forefinger. “Fine. Do what you think is best.”

“We should also make a plan about how we’re going to continue this charade.”

My head spins. I look between them. Are they talking about us? About me and Darius? Surely not.

Darius lets out a laugh. “It doesn’t matter. I’m in now so there’s nothing they can do.”

Carter shakes his head. “We’ll need to keep an eye on the press…”

“All in hand.” Darius replies looking at him. “No one is going to print anything we don’t like. I’ve made sure of that.”

“And the polls?” Carter asks.

Darius lets out a chuckle. “They’ll say what we want from now on, just like the votes did.”

I gasp. Is he saying what I think he’s saying?