Page 63 of Ride Long
“What then? Are you just going to lock them up forever?” Iasked.
“He’ll force them to choose,” Chaser replied. “Pledge allegiance to the new world orderor…”
I felt sick, and I turned my face away before I dry retched. I would’ve had to do the same thing if I was still in charge of all this. It was yet another glaring indicator I wasn’t cut out for leadership. I was Marini’s daughter, but I didn’t have the smarts to lead Fortitude. Neverdid.
“It’s the way things are done,” Gasket said. “And the only thing these men will respondto.”
“It’s the best way to save lives,” Chaser said. “We need to neutralize Marini as soon aspossible.”
“You’ve thought about this before,” I drawled. “Haven’tyou?”
“Let’s just say this isn’t the first seed I’ve planted.”Well, this wasnew.
“Typical.”
“Wait for my signal,” Gasket said, climbing to his feet. “And be ready tomove.”
“Is that it? What are we supposed to do?” I asked, completelyconfused.
He smiled and strode across the roof, the door screeching as he openedit.
I glanced at Chaser, and heshrugged.
“You better get some sleep,” he murmured, kissing my forehead. “I don’t know when we’ll get anotherchance.”
I glanced toward the door where Gasket haddisappeared.
“He knows what he’s doing,” Chaser said. “He’ll have aplan.”
“I hope so,” I muttered. “I really fucking hopeso.”
