Page 45 of Factory Thief

“Oh, Tori. You’re so precious! Your responsibility? Since when?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“C’mon, Tori. Since when do you give a damn about anyone other than yourself? Who are you trying to kid…” His eyes widen in sudden realization. “Unless…is there something going on between you and Jack?”

I can’t hide a flinch, and my cheeks redden with warmth.

“That’s none of your business,” I snap.

“That’s another way of saying ‘yes’,” he says after a chuckle.

“Look, Jack’s in danger. Livingston is probably looking to kill him. If the Factory wants Jack, then they’re going to have to rescue him from Xtera’s CEO.”

“CEO,” Jack sneers. “In this case, just another way of saying ‘huge asshole who makes everyone miserable and contributes nothing’.”

“Well, I can say the asshole part fits about Livingston, if not the other. You’ve…you’ve got some issues to work out, Andrew. Right now, what matters is getting to Jack before Livingston can do him in.”

Andrew sighs. “Okay. We’ll take care of it.”

He turns around and strides off. It takes me a few seconds to realize he’s leaving. “Andrew? Andrew, where are you going?”

“Why to go off and rescue your boyfriend, of course. Like you said, the Factory wants him and Livingston has him.”

“Wait.” I grab his arm, stopping him from walking away. “I want to go with you.”

Andrew’s face creases with a studious frown. “Why? Why go with me? You’ve completed your obligation to the Factory—well, the main part of it, anyway, you got him out of prison. The Factory considers your debt paid in full and won’t be contacting you again.”

“But…but Jack…”

“Come on, Tori. You have a chance to walk away from this, once and for all.”

He’s right. I have a chance to walk away, but I can’t.

I just can’t do it.

I have to help save Jack.

I can argue with Andrew, if I must. I might as well ask the ocean not to be deep as to ask him to change his mind. Maybe I don’t need him. I could go in alone, without the Factory’s team.

No. It would be better to have backup. Besides, I wasn’t kidding when I said Jack was my responsibility.

“My mission was to turn Jack over to the Factory. I haven’t done that yet. Until I do, then my mission isn’t really over—is it?”

Andrew cocks an eyebrow. “Is that how it is?”

“That’s how it is. I’m coming with you, whether you like it or not.”

We stare at each other for a long moment in a Mexican standoff of the mental variety. Andrew’s willpower is tremendous, but he sometimes sees the light of reason. Will this be one of those times?

At length, he squares his jaw and nods. “All right, Tori. All right. You win. I know better than to keep a woman like you from your heart’s desire.”

I flinch at his comment, despite my attempt to stoically ignore it. It hits me right in the heart.

Because he’s right. I do want Jack. I’ve fallen for him, and the thought of losing him crushes my heart. I can’t lose him. I love him.

Oh my God. I love him.

I never thought I’d fall in love, but I have. And now…

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