Page 18 of Their Property
The governor finished reading off his goals and looked ready to move on, when T-Bone’s hand shot into the air like a child waiting to be called on at school. Anita squeaked in surprise on my other side, and a low murmur of curiosity rose up from the men at the table.
Perry frowned in T-Bone’s direction for a moment before huffing in annoyance. “Yes?”
“Forgive me if this is out of turn, Governor,” T-Bone began, “but is Sevier currently in any conflicts with other territories? Or, to your knowledge, are there any hostile territories with their sights set here?”
“I’m sorry, wha—sir, that isfarbeyond the scope of this meeting.” The governor’s face darkened as he grew flustered. “Not to mention, that information is classified, to be discussed only with military personnel. Most of the people in this room don’t have that clearance! What makes you think you can just ask something like that?”
Across the room, Grudge’s lips twitched as he bit back a smile. Behind me, I was certain Dyno was doing the same.
“Because my duty is to keep Ambassador Vance safe.” T-Bone angled his head toward me. “I’m trying to gauge whether I should consider foreign threats or just domestic ones.”
“Our relations with other territories have nothing to do with your client’s personal safety! There arenothreats here.”
“We’ll be the judge of that.” T-Bone leaned back far in his seat and for a moment, I thought he would put his feet on the table.
Every pair of eyes in the room then weighed heavily on me. I tried not to show any reaction, but didn’t know whether to feel embarrassed, amused, or flattered. The question T-Bone asked was an important one, but I found myself agreeing with the governor that it wasn’t the right setting for it.
Fortunately, the meeting was adjourned moments later and I was freed.
The tourof the capitol building was nearly as boring as the meeting, but at least I was up and walking around. Just as I expected, there wasn’t much to the building. White walls and tall ceilings.Ooh, ahh. There were small alcoves everywhere for altars and religious figurines from when the building served as a church during pre-Collapse times.
I was grateful my suite and loft area had some charm and personality at least. The rest of the building just felt too clean. Sterile, even. And I still hadn’t figured out why only Sevier officials and staff were allowed in the building, aside from sheer elitism.
“This place gives me the creeps,” Dyno muttered at one point.
I was inclined to agree.
After the tour, we had our lunch hour in the same banquet room I had spoken with the Sons our first night here. The other officials quickly grouped up, grabbing tables and food together. I scanned the room for any friendly faces, hopefully female, but saw none.
“You’d think they’d put a little effort into being more welcoming,” T-Bone scoffed, looking around the room as I had.
It’s okay. I’m used to cold shoulders,I wanted to tell him, but didn’t dare say the words out loud. I swallowed the thought as I grabbed an empty table for me and Anita, who let me pour over her notes from the meeting while we ate.
Finally, the time came for my tour of the territory. We’d be driving through some areas and walking in others, with the governor and another official to guide us. I had a sneaking suspicion as to who the other person would be, and my gut sank as Governor Perry and his nephew Nathan strode up to us at the end of lunch.
“I hope you’re ready for some incredible views.” Nathan beamed as we left the banquet room. “Some would even call them romantic.”
One of the Sons snorted loudly behind me, but I resisted looking back to see who it was.
“I’m excited,” I said, hoping I came off as polite but not over-enthusiastic. Someone touched my shoulder as we approached the governor’s car, and I turned around to find myself face-to-face with T-Bone.
“Grudge is going to ride with you,” he said. “D and I will get our bikes and keep an eye out from a distance. If we see anything fishy, Grudge will know. We have a system in place.”
“Sounds great.” I gave him my biggest, most genuine smile of the day. Jesus, he was just sotalland nice to look at. “Ride safe.”
He gave a curt nod in return, eyes twinkling with playfulness before resuming stiff formality. “Enjoy the tour, Miss Vance.”
T-Bone and Dyno left to get their bikes while the rest of us piled into the SUV, which was even bigger than the one I’d ridden in from Four Corners. Grudge sat directly behind Anita and I. Our row, thankfully, only had two seats, so Nathan and his uncle had to sit in front of us.
“So, if you don’t mind me asking.” Nathan turned to face me, casually draping an arm over the back of his seat as the driver pulled away from the capital.
Oh no, here we go,I thought.
“How old are you, Miss Vance?” he asked, flashing a charming smile.
“Twenty-three,” I answered. “And you?”
“Twenty-five. So that would’ve made you thirteen when the Collapse happened, right? Because I was fifteen.”
