The Determining (18 page)

“Once we go public, we’ll be expected to portray a certain public image.” He turned to Charlie. “I have an apartment here in the city. You can stay there while you finish school. We’ll reevaluate our situation when you graduate.”

“Will you stay there as well?” Her stomach churned at the thought of being alone with him.

“When business brings me to the city, yes.” His calm exterior made it impossible to gauge his thoughts.

Drew’s face turned red. “Are you planning to consummate the marriage?”

“Drew!” Charlie felt her own face turning red.

Thayer raised an eyebrow. “I’m not functioning under the assumption that this marriage is going to be anything more than one of convenience. If it ever did become something more, it wouldn’t be your concern.”

Drew spoke to Charlie. “How do you know this guy is better than the one your father wants you to marry?”

She paused, allowing the possibility to settle in her mind. “I don’t, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

His eyes pleaded. “You don’t have to do this. We have a way out.”

“No, Drew. I don’t want a life on the run and, deep down, neither do you.” Charlie swallowed hard, willing herself to remain calm.

All emotion drained from Drew’s face. He stood there, limp and unmoving.

“I’m sorry,” she told him. It was more than regret for breaking his heart, it was an apology for the fact that her own heart wasn’t breaking too.

Their eyes met. She expected the sadness in his eyes, but not the resolve. He walked over to her, caressing her cheek before leaning down to kiss her. His lips lingered against hers, not searching for more, simply savoring this final moment.

He pulled back and turned to address Thayer. “Take care of her.”

Thayer stood, extending his hand. Drew didn’t hesitate before giving it a firm shake.

“I won’t let anything happen to her,” Thayer promised.

Drew nodded. With a final glace at Charlie, he walked out of the waiting room.

In Drew’s absence, Charlie fell silent. Thayer attempted to engage her in small talk, but she didn’t have the energy for useless conversation. After a few tries, he gave up in favor of companionable silence. Though he didn’t speak, Charlie could feel his eyes watching her.

Finally she couldn’t take it anymore. “What are you staring at?” She snapped.

“You.” He said matter-of-factly.

She did nothing to hide her irritation. “I realize that. Why?”

“I’m doing you a favor here, the least you could do is pretend to be civil.” He raised an eyebrow, challenging her to contradict him.

She couldn’t say anything to that. He was right, but her stubbornness wouldn’t let her admit it. Instead, she looked away, still aware of his gaze.

It felt like she’d been under Thayer’s scrutiny for hours when the justice of the peace arrived. Her husband greeted the man with a warm smile.

“Mr. McLean.” The stranger nodded.

“Justice Slater.” The two shook hands.

With the two men side by side, Charlie noted how opposite they looked. Where Thayer was tall, Slater was short. Thayer boasted broad muscular shoulders while the Justice’s twig-thin frame and sloping shoulders made him look one strong breeze away from snapping. The only similarity was their easy smiles.

Slater turned, surveying Charlie through wire-rimmed glasses. His eyes widened a little, but Charlie couldn’t tell if recognition or her injuries caused the look. Most likely a combination of the two.

“Miss Grey.” He recovered with a smile.

The kind expression set her at ease. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

He walked forward and shook her hand, being careful not to jostle her too much. “Let’s not wait any longer. Where would you like to do this?” He glanced between Charlie and Thayer.

“Umm, here is good.” Charlie shot a questioning look at Thayer.

“That’s fine.” He nodded.

“Do you have a witness?” Slater asked.

“I asked one of the nurses to do it. I’ll go find her.” Thayer turned, heading down the hall to the nurse’s station. He reappeared a minute later with a pretty young brunette in tow Charlie didn’t recognize.

“Can you stand or would you prefer to sit for the vows?” Slater spoke to Charlie.

“I’ll stand,” she said with resolve. She pushed herself up, grimacing as her ribs protested. Her head throbbed and her vision blurred. The world spun, then a hand steadied her.

“Are you sure?” Thayer asked, keeping his hand wrapped around her waist.

“I want to stand,” she insisted

He looked into her eyes. Whatever he saw there convinced him. He faced Justice Slater, sliding his hand from her waist to her arm. Slater opened his mouth but Thayer stopped him, looking back at the nurse.

“Will you film this?”

Her brown ponytail swung as she nodded. She pulled a phone from her pocket and gave them a thumbs-up when the camera began recording. Slater commenced.

“We are gathered here to unite Thayer Rhys McLean and Charlotte Anna Grey in the bonds of marriage. If any here can show just cause why these two cannot be lawfully wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

Charlie half expected her father to come running into the waiting room, hollering that she was supposed to marry Mason Novack. She waited anxiously, only relaxing when Justice Slater continued with the vows.

“Thayer, do you promise to cherish and protect her, in sickness and health, for rich, for poor, till death do you part?”

“I do.” Thayer spoke loud enough for the nurse’s phone to hear him.

“Charlotte, do you promise to respect and obey him, in sickness and health, for rich, for poor, till death do you part?” Slater looked at her, waiting.

“I do.” The words almost choked her.

“By the power vested in me by the Confederation of America and the Province of Illinois, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Thayer looked at her, his eyes asking for permission. She gave him a small nod. He leaned down and their lips touched. Charlie detected a hint of peppermint and the familiar spicy scent of Thayer’s soap. He pulled back, ending the kiss almost before it began.

“Is the camera off?” Thayer asked the nurse.

“Yes.” She nodded. “Should I send it to you?”

“No. Send it to the media.”

A shocked look passed over her face. “Are you sure?” she asked hesitantly.

“Yes. Send it to everyone.”

“She sustained two fractured ribs, a concussion, and a broken nose. Not to mention various bruises and lacerations, particularly on her face.” Katy sat across from Nemo. She still wore blue scrubs. The smell of bleach and medicine hung in the air around her.

Nemo leaned back in his desk chair, considering his reflection in the dark window. “How was she doing when they discharged her?”

“Physically, she’ll be fine. Dr. Moore gave her pain medication laced with an agent to speed up the healing process. I think the mental shock of the attack damaged her more than the beating. Something like that can change a person in ways we can’t even begin to understand.” Katy fell silent.

“It was her father.” Nemo offered the answer to her unspoken question.

“It’s good that she’s with Thayer, then.” Katy said, more to herself than to him.

“She’ll be safe with McLean.” Nemo nodded in agreement. “Especially once you send the video to the press.”

Katy fidgeted, drawing Nemo’s attention.

“What?” He asked, seeing her uneasy expression.

“Are you sure that she’ll be safe?”

“McLean won’t do anything to hurt her.”

Katy shook her head. “What if her father tries to come after her again?”

“There would be no point with the marriage public. He can’t do anything now, divorce is illegal.”

“Then he might take his anger out on someone else.” Katy tapped her foot, picking at a loose thread on her pants.

Nemo reached across the desk and captured the girl’s hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We won’t let that happen.”

“I have a family. If he traces the video back to my phone, we are as good as dead.” She’d gone as white as a sheet, despite his reassuring words.

“He can’t trace an encrypted message. If it makes you feel safer, we can relocate you and your family.”

Katy shook her head. “No, our lives are here. If you say we’ll be safe then I believe you.”

“Don’t worry, Katy. We see and know as much as Grey does. You’ll be safe.”

“Thank you.” She stood, giving him a faint smile before leaving.

Guilt over the lie nagged at him. He slumped in his chair. Miss Grey had been injured and it was his fault. He’d debated whether or not to post sentries when she went to enter the Lottery but his people were stretched too thin. Instead, he’d relied on Archer to handle everything alone.

What kind of Leader sacrificed a woman to ensure the upper hand?
Donovan wouldn’t treat a woman that way.
The thought made him cringe. Donovan Grey, Richard’s older brother. The man was legendary to the rebels. As the story went, he’d given his life trying to bring down the corporations and the Council backing them.

Nemo slumped in defeat. His people needed Donovan to be more than a myth. Instead, they had him.

“You look like you’ve got something weighing heavy on your mind.” Owen spoke from the doorway.

Nemo motioned for him to enter. The big man sauntered into the room, flopping down on the bed across from the desk. They remained silent, Nemo looking at his reflection in the widow and Owen studying the ceiling. Nemo stared at the scar jutting through his own eyebrow, the deep lines that extended from the corners of his eyes, and the dark circles beneath them. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his shaved head.

“I spoke with Archer,” Owen offered, breaking the silence.

Nemo turned to face Owen. “So you know what happened.”

“I know that Miss Grey avoided marriage to Novack today. I know that tonight she’s safe. And I know that our plan, though slowed for the moment, is still on the right track.”

Nemo nodded. He didn’t want to admit it, but Owen’s words made him feel better. “How is Archer?”

“He’s got a black eye and a few bruises, but he’ll be fine. I can’t say the same for the Councilman.” A grin split Owen’s face.

Nemo smiled at the idea of Grey covered in bruises. It was about time the man had a taste of his own medicine. “What happened when Councilman Grey came to?”

“Grey had gone by the time Archer returned to the office. From what he said, it’s only a matter of time before Grey comes looking for revenge.”

“Make sure we have people following Katy and Archer’s families. I don’t want him getting anywhere near them.”

“Already taken care of,” Owen assured him.

He turned back to the window. “I hope it will be enough.”

He could tell she was injured in the video. She didn’t stand as tall as usual, she swayed on her feet, and her voice shook when she spoke. Katy was right; the physical wounds weren’t the worst Miss Grey had suffered. Even in the grainy video, he could tell the fire in her eyes had been reduced to embers. He prayed they could find a way to rekindle that spirit. She would need every bit of it for what he planned.

The video played all morning on almost every television station, and it didn’t look like it was about to stop. He listened as newscasters and critics commented on the clip. Because Katy had shot the video from behind, skeptics claimed it had to be a fake. A few believers noted how Charlotte seemed to sway on her feet, indicating that she could have been high or drunk. These speculations were overwhelmed by conjectures concerning the suddenness of the nuptials. With representatives for the couple, Mason Novack, and Councilman Grey remaining closed lipped on the subject, the media was left to dig. So far their efforts turned up little, for which Nemo was grateful.

He turned off the screen and reached for his phone, typing a quick message.

-How are things this morning?

Archer had volunteered to take the first shift watching McLean’s apartment. Nemo trusted all his men and knew they would do everything they could to protect Charlotte, but he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that kept fighting its way to the surface. It was like he was missing a piece to the puzzle and until he found it, he couldn’t relax.

-Other than reporters, things seem to be normal.

Temporary relief filled him. But neither he nor his men could take the chance of getting comfortable.

-Keep your eye out for the Councilman and Novack.

-I’ll keep you posted.

Nemo couldn’t stand to sit by and worry any longer; he needed a distraction. The smell of warm bread and fresh coffee beckoned to him. He turned off his phone and left the office, following his nose down to the kitchen.

Like most of the rooms they utilized in the cathedral, the kitchen had been added on. When the cathedral became their headquarters in Kansas, he’d overseen the construction. The kitchen, which also acted as a dining room, was the first and the largest addition. Five long tables took up the center of the room. Surrounding the tables were a few stoves, ovens and countertops for cooking.

From the doorway, he watched the crowd of men and women milling around talking, laughing, and eating. A few noticed him, nodding in his direction when he entered. He nodded back but didn’t stop to make conversation. He’d spotted an empty chair at one of the tables and headed toward it.

Once seated, he grabbed a piece of warm bread from a platter in the center of the table, dropping it onto the plate in front of him. Someone slid a steaming mug of coffee across the table to him. He looked up and smiled at Viv. The person to his left passed a plate full of boiled eggs his way. Taking a few, Nemo passed the plate on and tucked in to the meal.

He listened to the conversations around him but didn’t bother to join in. Whenever he spoke, it seemed that everyone in the room fell silent to listen. Because of this, he often preferred to be the one listening rather than speaking. He enjoyed hearing the bits of normal, everyday conversation.

Across the room, two teenage girls sat with their heads close together. One shot a coy look at a boy sitting further down the table. When the teen noticed the girl’s stare, he winked. The two girls burst into a fit of giggles. Nemo chuckled. This was how the world was intended to work. No chips dictating your life. People needed to be free to make their own decisions even when those decisions led to failure and heartbreak.