Page 98 of Now or Never
President Tetherton said, “The treaty requires witness signatures. Yours and mine.”
Jax frowned. “I thought the treaty was between the US and Croatia.”
Tetherton shook her head, sitting straight in her chair. Poised and unflustered. Kenna wanted to shake her. “It’s between Europe”—she pointed to Petyr—“and the US.” Then shifted to the general.
Kenna’s jaw clenched. “This is aDominatustreaty?”
“As the mother of the first offspring of the next generation, you have a part to play in history.”
I hate everything you just said.Kenna nearly got up and walked out the door. “I see you didn’t take my advice.”
Schnell said, “If the two of you are finished, we’ll get down to business.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Kenna stepped out of the bathroom and found Jax in the hallway, leaning against the wall. “How is your head?” She checked there was no one else within earshot and stepped into his arms.
He shrugged, sliding his arms around her waist. “How are you?”
She made sure she didn’t press against his chest. “Wondering why they’re bothering me, and then wondering why I bother?”
“Pretty much.” He looked exhausted. “At least the RV is still in one piece.”
“We need a phone, or a computer terminal.” She glanced around, then spoke so quietly she was almost mouthing the words. “If we can let Maizie in their system, she can expose all of this insanity. Or MSI can swoop in and…”
She didn’t want to saytake them all outaloud. After all, she’d be speaking of murdering the president. That kind of talk would get all of them put in jail.
Kenna dipped her head and laid her forehead on his shoulder instead of his sternum, where he’d been shot. “I’ve been ignoring MSI for weeks, trying not to get dragged into a plan that puts people in danger. Refusing to give them intel and trying to stayout of it. Now here we are.” She shook her head. “Right back in the middle of it, whether we like it or not.”
He hummed agreement, and she felt the rumble under her cheek. “It feels like a bunch of murderers decided they’re going to rule the world,” he said. “But as long as they’re not trying to kill us, I’m prepared to stand down.”
She figured that didn’t mean he would back off. “Maybe we should tell them to write that clause into the treaty wording.”
He said, “They should add in that you’re in charge ofDominatusif something happens to the rest of them.”
Now there was a horrible idea. But it was also kind of intriguing. She hadn’t wanted anything to do with these people. The idea that she might be in charge of the whole thing someday wouldn’t mean she was in any less danger than she was already. She would be able to steer the ship in the direction she chose, and she’d have resources to enact that plan.
The temptation to decide people’s fates that came with so much power was something that could corrupt anyone. It would be much better to shut down the entire organization. Dismantle them from the inside and make sure they were never again connected as a group.
The end.
Kenna looked up. “What I don’t get is, wasn’t there supposed to be a vote? That’s how they get a newImperatoris, right?”
Jax shifted, his attention over her shoulder.
“In this case,” the president said, “they agreed to supersede the vote and rule as a group. For the betterment of the world.”
Kenna turned to her, not letting go of Jax. “And where do you fit into that?”
The president looked down her nose at them. “Peace is a good thing. As is order.”
“You think that’s going to keep you safe? It’s like negotiating with terrorists.” Or what Jax had said. “Convincing a murderer you believe him when he says he won’t do it again.”
“You fail to understand the constraints of my position, Kenna.”
Kenna could see it plainly, considering this woman existed constantly surrounded by armed Secret Service agents. “It’s you who isn’t thinking big enough.”
“You want me to overthrow them? Take control?” The president shook her head, almost laughing. “That is not the way the world works, Kenna. Despite what people choose to believe, we’re still the same savages we’ve always been. The strong are the ones in control. Everyone else is a pawn, or a victim.”
