Rebel Song (19 page)

“There you are. I’ve been yelling like crazy. What are you doing?”

“Oh, just some work on the back stretch. Nothing really,” Rogan sputtered.

Ben eyed him suspiciously and Rogan did his best to smooth his disheveled hair inconspicuously.

“You’re shirt’s on backward,” Ben shot him a keen smile and a raised eyebrow. “And inside out.”

“Oh…um…” Rogan fumbled his words, completely caught off guard, examining the backside of his tee shirt.

“Haha! Never thought I’d catch you with your pants down. Finally!”

“Keep your voice down,” Rogan snapped. Ben looked aback.

“Why, what’s the big deal? Who is it?” He asked light heartedly. Rogan’s face burned scarlet. “Ooh, now I have to know! It’s Iris, isn’t it? I knew it was bound to happen.” Ben laughed and made a move toward the gazebo.

“Ben, stop! I mean it. It’s not Iris. Just go. I’ll catch up with you later.”

Ben ignored him and moved past him to peer over the row of vines blocking his view.

“Definitely not Iris. Very nice. Never knew you were into redheads though. Where’d you find her?”

Rogan grabbed his shoulder yanked him back.

“None of your damn business.”

Benton grinned.

“You like this girl. In fact, I think you’ve been seeing someone behind my back and holding out on me.”

Rogan’s lips tightened at the accusation. He was terrible at lying to Ben.

“No, it’s nothing like that. She’s no one.”

Benton’s grin suddenly faded and he gave Rogan a doubtful look.

“What’s going on? Why are you being so secretive?”

“It’s just embarrassing is all.”

“Why, who is she?” Ben narrowed his eyes. He knew when he was being lied to and it was one thing he wouldn’t stand for from Rogan. “You’re not related or something perverse like that?”

“Of course not.”

“Who are you?” Ben shouted out through the vines.

Rogan punched his shoulder.

“Just drop it Ben. She’s no one…”

But Ben’s eyes had already fixated on her as she stood and straightened her dress and hair. He took a step closer, squinting. Her auburn locks radiated like smoldering embers in the sun. 

“She looks familiar,” Ben said under his breath without conviction. “I know her…”

“No, you don’t. I assure you, you don’t.” Rogan pulled his arm but Ben stood firm.

“No,” Ben shook his finger in the air. “I do. I’ve seen her picture or something. She’s…” Suddenly his eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “Holy shit. Rogan, what have you done?”

CHAPTER 25

“Ben, you have to forget what you’ve seen,” Rogan insisted, looking Ben square in the eye.

“Rog, this is…this is…I don’t have the words for what this is,” Ben stood with his mouth agape and his eyes wide in disbelief. “That’s…that’s…she’s…” he stuttered with his hand pointing toward Elyra.

“I know. I know. I know. I hardly believe it myself.”

“How? How does this even happen?”

“It’s a long story. One I’m not sure is even real. But, all I know is what I feel is real. And the only thing that’s kept it that way is that it’s been a secret.”

“This is goddamned unbelievable.” Ben brought his hand to his forehead and pressed it hard. “What were you thinking? What is
she
thinking? You both could be arrested. Tried for treason. Killed!”

Rogan raised his hand up to hush Ben.

“Please, calm down. I know what the risks are. I’ve known for a long time, as has she. But, it’s beyond that now. We’re in too deep.”

“Does…does she know about you? About us—the Cause?”

“Yes. She does. And you’d be surprised how sympathetic she is.”

Ben narrowed his eyes.

“What have you told her?” Ben’s tone hardened.

“Nothing. Nothing anyone could use against us if it came down to it. But we can trust her Ben, believe me.”

“This is impossible!” Ben began to pace. “What am I supposed to say here Rogan? It’s practically a betrayal.”

“How do you figure that? I’ve betrayed nothing, no one.”

“She’s the daughter of our sworn enemy, that’s how!”

“You’re going to have to believe that when I first met her, I didn’t even know who she was. I’d already fallen for her by the time I knew.”

“Bullshit!” Ben snapped. “Her face is all over the papers.”

Rogan stared at him blankly and nodded. The tabloids did love to catch her on camera.

“Yeah, that’s true. But I’ve never paid attention to all that media crap before, you know that.”

“How long as this been going on?” Ben glared at him.

Rogan sighed.

“I’ve known her…I guess six, eight months.”

Ben sucked in a breath and stumbled as if someone had kicked him in the gut. He backed away with wild, disbelieving eyes.

“Whoa, you’ve been involved with the princess of Arelanda—the King’s daughter—like the most important girl in the country, for the better part of a year and you’ve never told me?”

Rogan reached out a hand to touch his friend’s shoulder, but Ben swatted him away.

“Ben, I couldn’t. You know how serious this situation is. I couldn’t tell anyone, for all our sakes. It wasn’t safe.”

“You could have told
me
. I’ve known you my entire life and you keep this from me.”

“You know it’s not that simple.”

“I thought we had trust.”

“Ben please—”

Ben shook his head.

“Just get away from me. I can’t look at you.” Ben threw his hands up in anger and turned to go.

“Ben!” Rogan shouted but Ben didn’t look back as he moved toward his motorbike. Rogan watched a gravel-filled dust cloud circle up as Ben’s bike disappeared down the road.

He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“It’s bad isn’t it?” She asked.

Rogan nodded. He turned to face her. Her green eyes were wet with worry.

“Yes. I’d be lying if I said otherwise.” He shook his head. “It’s very bad. If he tells anyone, I don’t know what will happen.”

Elyra’s lips began to quiver and she sucked in a breath.

“I’m so sorry.”

He touched her chin and brought her head up to look him in the eye.

“Don’t be. This isn’t your fault. We both knew the risks. Ben is my best friend. He’s not going to betray us. He’s just upset I lied to him. He’s always had a short temper,” he tried to pacify her fears. He kissed her forehead.

“So what do we do now?” Elyra wiped a few stray tears from her face.

“I’ll need to talk to him. Explain everything. He thinks I’ve betrayed him. I have to make him understand this isn’t what he thinks—that I kept it from him for his own safety.”

“Will he believe you?”

Rogan sighed and smirked, then kissed her hand.

“Probably not.”

CHAPTER 26

Rogan felt like the moment of truth was on him when he strode into the cannery basement and walked to the front of the room. He could feel Ben’s hard glare on him but deep down he knew his secret was safe. Ben was hot-headed and rash but he was fiercely loyal. Nothing could get between them. Not even this. Not before he had a chance to explain.
Right?
He walked past a table lined with knives and tried to remain calm.

“Rogan,” Cable acknowledged him. “Good to see you finally.”

“Hey Cable.” He’d been avoiding Cable since Demos’ visit to the ranch.

“I heard about what they did to you and your place. Are you all right? Heard your ribs were a little busted up.”

“It’s nothing,” Rogan shrugged. “I’ve had worse.”

Cable laughed and put a hand on Rogan’s shoulder.

“I’m sure you have, but I’m still sorry that happened.”

“Thanks. Any news?”

Cable shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

“Nothing credible. Alec’s in the wind. No one knows for sure what happened to him. Iris heard from her contact at the Governor’s office that he was finally arrested. That they found him sleeping in an alleyway.”

“Do we believe it?”

Cable shrugged again.

“Hard to say what the truth is anymore.”

“My guess is Alec’s just hiding out. He’s a crazy ass but he’s smart enough to realize that he better lay low.”

“Let’s hope.” Cable smiled but his eyes looked worried.

“Something wrong?”

Cable flicked his eyes to each side and twisted his mouth, then pulled Rogan a little to the side.

“Rogan, I hate to ask you, but do you know where Ben is getting his information? All this stuff about the elections and organized crime ties…it’s just too crazy.”

Rogan hesitated.

“No. I just know it’s someone who’s close to the source of things.” He wouldn’t betray Ben but he couldn’t flat out lie to Cable either.

Cable looked to the side again hesitantly and continued.

“There are rumors that someone on the High Council is leaking information.”

Good God, she’s on the Council,
Rogan thought.
Why did that even surprise him?

“What? Where did you hear that?” He feigned shock.

“It’s just a rumor,” Cable said in a tone that suggested he knew it was true.

“That’s a pretty extreme rumor.”

“I know. But rumors come from somewhere.”

“I don’t know anything about the High Council. How would anyone we know ever get that close to someone that high up? Especially Ben. He’s got ‘rebel’ written all over his smug face,” Rogan laughed.

Cable stared him directly with eyes devoid of even a hint of laughter.

“You know things you’re not telling me. I can tell.”

Rogan felt a pang of both guilt and fear.
If only he knew
.

“Cable…”

“Rogan, you can tell me anything. We’re on the same team here. I’m here to lead us to a new life, a new country. You can trust me.” 

Rogan
did
trust him, but Cable didn’t
really
know what he was asking. He didn’t trust anyone enough to understand Rogan’s situation. But could he truly lie to his sworn leader? To a man who had sacrificed everything for a country he believed in, only to be abandoned in the gutter when things went wrong?

“It’s true I know some things I shouldn’t,” Rogan admitted. “But I can’t tell you exactly what or else everyone in this room is in danger.”

Cable stared at him thoughtfully but didn’t argue as Rogan expected him to.

“So what can you tell me?”

“I can tell you that Pantone and Henri don’t take us seriously.”

“That’s hardly news,” Cable laughed.

“Look, all I have are gut feelings, but I think we need to be more wary of Pantone. As long as a monarch sits the throne, he has no real power. Not the kind he truly wants. I think if he could find a way, he’d abolish the monarchy altogether and instill himself as authoritarian ruler.”

“It sounds like you’re the one a little close to the source now.”

“It’s just a theory, Cable.”

“Well it’s quite a theory.”

Rogan shrugged.

“We can’t underestimate what people are willing to do for absolute power. A lot of people say Pantone is truly the threat, not Henri. He’s been whispering in his ear since he was just a fat prince. Had Rodillio lived and Henri been raised differently…” Rogan sighed.
Was he really defending the king?

“Ending Ballantyne’s reign would be a good thing, Rogan. Better yet, ending the monarchy altogether. It’s what we’re fighting for.”

“Yes, but at what cost? Are you willing to trade a monarchy for a dictatorship? Because that’s what it will be if Pantone takes the scepter. He’s not interested in democracy.”

Rogan looked up to see Ben stepping toward him. His body instinctively tensed, taking the defensive.
Relax.
Everything is ok.
Nothing is going to change.
Rogan made eye contact with Ben and nodded a hello.

“What’s going on?” Ben asked casually.

“We’re just assessing the situation,” Cable said.

“The situation is that we’re all in deep shit,” Ben said, shooting Rogan an angry glance. “Demos is out for blood.”

Rogan instinctively felt his side and nodded.

“He’s doing a pretty good job of finding it,” he agreed.

“So what now?” Ben said. “Should we lie back and take another beating or are you ready to stand up to it now?”

“What are we supposed to do?” Rogan asked.

“Fight, damn it!” Ben shouted. “Or is something making you soft?” His tone was laced with provocation.

Rogan’s mouth tightened.

“Is there something you want to say to me?” He knew he should just let it go but his pride wouldn’t relent.

“I’m just questioning where your loyalties really lie.”

“Ben,” Cable said with disbelief. “What’s wrong with you? What’s this all about?”

Rogan and Ben stared at each other hard. Rogan held his breath.
Don’t,
he thought.
Not now
. Then Ben smirked.

“Nothing Cable. Just a thing about a girl.”

Cable rolled his eyes.

“Seriously Ben, I don’t have time for this. Work it out on your own time. We need to figure out how to get these Valley monkeys adept with a rifle or it was one big waste of money. Rogan, you coming to the training room?”

Rogan nodded.

“Yeah, be there in a few.”

Cable nodded and left Ben and Rogan to stare each other down.

“What was that about?” Rogan asked when Cable was out of ear shot.

“You tell me. What in hell are you thinking?”

“I see you haven’t come any closer to understanding.”

“Damn right I haven’t. I’m actually having a harder and harder time understanding. You’ve put all of us in danger. How do you know she hasn’t followed you here?”

“You’re being paranoid. How is this any different from what you’ve been doing? It didn’t seem to stop you from climbing into bed with a government official.”

“Because I did that
for
the cause, not in spite of it.”

“Oh yeah, it must have been really rough on you.”

“I sure as hell didn’t do it just to get up some fancy skirt.”

Rogan’s fists clenched and unclenched.

“You’re really going to lecture me on impulse control?” Rogan said through gritted teeth.

“I get it. She’s a nice piece—”

Rogan couldn’t help himself as his fist found Ben’s jaw. Ben stumbled back, clutching his face in shock.

“Seriously?” Ben snapped.

Then, almost instantly his own arm was swinging through the air, knocking Rogan to the ground. Rogan stumbled back but dodged the follow-up right hook. He lunged at Ben and they tumbled to the cannery floor, fists jabbing and elbows flying through the air as they grunted and growled like wild dogs.

“Ben! Rogan!” Iris’ voice shrieked frantically, catching them both off guard. They both stopped mid swing, blood dripping from Ben’s mouth and Rogan’s ribs burning.

“What in God’s name are you guys doing?” She yelled.

They both froze, rage still swirling between their frozen fists. Then they both collapsed to the floor and chuckled.

“Just practicing,” Rogan said through an exhausted wheeze. He’d thrown his fists way more than he liked to lately.

“Dammit, you guys,” Cable yelled. “Take this shit outside.”

Rogan nodded, pushed himself up then put his hand out to Ben.

“C’mon, let’s get some air.”

They stepped out the back door into the alley. Ben started to laugh, shaking his head.

“Feel better now that you got the chance to punch me?” Rogan asked.

“A little. But, hey, you started it.”

“True. But you deserved it.”

Ben shrugged.

“I’ve heard that one before,” he grinned. “So is this for real? You’re actually hooking up with the King’s daughter?”

Rogan laughed, shaking his head.

“We’re not just hooking up Ben. It’s more serious than that. I…I think I love her.”

Ben just stared at him as if searching for something.

“You know how insane that is, right? Absolutely and utterly insane.”

Rogan nodded.

“Yeah, I know how it sounds.” 

“I mean, if I hadn’t actually seen it…I wouldn’t believe you. You sure you know what you’re doing?”

Rogan nodded.

“I know how risky it is, but I do know what I’m doing. She wants the same things we do.”

Ben took a deep breath and exhaled audibly.

“Do you trust her?”

“As much as I trust you.”

“Okay,” Ben nodded. “If you say you can trust her, then I trust you. Just be careful. Seriously, be careful.”

“I will.”

“Who else knows?”

“No one but you. I’d like to keep it that way.” Rogan gave him a stern look.

Ben nodded.

“It’ll stay between us. So does this mean she can tell you things then?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like…secrets and things.”

“I’m not going to ask her to spy.”

Ben shook his head.

“No, I know. I just mean, do you think she knows what happened to Alec? If he’s even alive or really in custody.”

“I don’t know what she knows. She’s more in the dark than you’d think. Wouldn’t your council girlfriend know?”

“I’ve asked, but so far she doesn’t know anything.”

“Ok, I’ll ask El.”

“Thanks brother,” Ben squeezed Rogan’s shoulder. Then he shook his head and laughed. “The damn Princess of Arelanda. That’s kind of amazing.”

Rogan smiled at the thought of her.

“Yeah, it’s pretty amazing. But Ben, you can’t tell anyone. Not yet. It has to be done right, okay? Please?”

“Your secret is safe. But you do have to tell me one thing.”

Rogan raised an eyebrow.

“Okay, what?”

A sly smirk spread across Ben’s face.

“What’s it like?”

Rogan snarled at him and contemplated another knock to the jaw, but then he grinned.

“Don’t you wish you knew.”