Page 69 of Breakaway
I keep walking, though the question does leave me mentally pausing. Why the fuck would I care about anything that happened before she even knew who I was? There are some parts of human customs that I don't know if I'll ever understand, even if I'm half of one.
"Is it true you're planning on moving to Sombra?"
"Do you think she'll resent you for ending her career?"
Reese worried. Scared.My shadows tell me. Now isn't the best time for them to just drop that on me, because it's taking all of my willpower to remain stoic while being chased by two people with cameras who want me to do or say something that will earn them some credits.
"Zill, is there any validity to the claim that Empress slept with–"
I push through the doors to Reese's apartment lobby, cutting off the end of the last question. The paparazzi don't follow, leaving me to let out a long sigh.
The front desk clerk looks at me with a raised brow, and I hold up my hand to tell him I'm fine. My shadows drop from underneath my clothing, pooling underneath me. I go through the thoughts that Reese wants to share with me, and I hesitate in trying to find the right answer.
I'm fine.I tell her, pausing as I try to think of the best way to word the next part. Before I get a chance, her thoughts are screeching into my head, and I can't stop the smile pulling at my lips.
Where are you? What's going on?
Kolos and I are following a lead. I didn't want to bother you with it if it turns out to be nothing.It's the truth, more or less.
I want her in my arms when she figures out that her brother sent her some hateful messages on her socials. I want to be there to hold her and tend to her if she needs it, if it turns out her brother is the one who leaked her information. It isn't right to keep the information from her, and I won't do it for long. I just need to make sure she's taken care of when it happens.
When will you be done?Reese asks right as someone pounds on the shield around my mind hard enough to have me doubling over in pain. My comm pings as the pounding gets a little less severe.
Kolos
Get Reese back to the ship. Now.
I read over Kolos's message, realizing that he's the one pounding on my head, the one trying to get in. He stops the incessant barrage as he throws open the lobby doors and looks at me with a panicked look in his eyes.
We're just about done, but it's best if you both head up to the ship, and we'll meet you there.I tell Reese. I don't want herworrying or freaking out prematurely. Kolos obviously knows something I don't, but I'll be filled in soon.
Are you sure everything's okay?Reese's voice comes through a lot quieter than the other times. I take a deep breath, hands tunneling through my hair and pulling strands free from where I have it tied back.
It will be. I promise.I tell her, hoping that whatever Kolos is about to tell me doesn't make me regret not filling her in sooner.
"What's going on?" I ask Kolos, who is rapidly typing on his comm.
"He did a lot more than sell her information," Kolos says, not looking up from his comm. My own chimes with notification after notification. "Let me in your godsdamned head and I'll fill you in while I get everyone else up to speed."
I drop the shield around my mind without hesitation, letting Kolos in and not even putting guards on my thoughts. I'm in too much of a rush, and he's not in the mood to be digging through my thoughts for something to use against me right now. Without a second passing, Kolos is dropping me into the memories he copied from Jeremy.
"One hundred thousand credits just for her name?" Jeremy says, sitting across a coffee shop table from a man in a well-tailored suit and perfectly styled hair. His name is Vic, someone Jeremy contacted from a gossip podcast.
"If the information you give us is correct, then yes," Vic says, his voice dripping with charm. "If you're as connected as you say you are, we have a few other opportunities to make some extra money if you'd like."
"I'm interested," Jeremy says, pulling out his comm and sending a quick message over to the other man. It's a concise message with Reese's full legal name, home address, and phone number. The other man's comm dings with a notification as he receives the information.
"If this proves to be true, we'll send you over the money," Vic says, sliding out of the booth.
"What about the other opportunities?" Jeremy asks, his voice high with worry because he thinks he's being played. His conscience is berating him for not getting the money up front and giving away all of his leverage.
"You said you're her brother, right?" Vic asks. Jeremy nods. "Do you have access to her home?" Again, Jeremy nods. "Then we'll be in touch."
My shadows squeeze against my chest as my hands ball into fists. I know Vic. Not because I've met him, but because of an interview he did with Reese, one that caused her to reject any further interviews with his podcast.
Kolos is grabbing my shoulder, pushing me out of the lobby, and back onto the street. The paparazzi are still out there, but I'm too caught up in the memories being played out for me to pay them any attention. I let Kolos guide me as the next scene begins to play out in my head.
"Who is that?" Jeremy asks. He's a sweaty mess. His hands are damp enough that he's wiped them multiple times on his jeans, and they're still moist.
