Page 136 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

They turn to me, and I keep my voice low as I move close to them.

“What’s that, River?” Attie asks patiently (though the impatience sits heavily in her expression).

“Tell them to stop. But do it quietly so they”—I flick my eyes to the camera—“don’t know.”

“What?” Pascal says, brows dragging together.

“The feeds,” I press. “Let the Lyons think the hack is still working.”

He scowls. “Why the fuck would—?” Then his face clears and he nods. “Clever girl.”

“She’s right,” Attie says. “If we play this right, we could get him back.”

My stomach twists. “We will get him back.”

Their eyes connect again.

“We will get him back,” I repeat.

Pascal nods. “We’ll get him back for you, River.”

“Yes,” I say. “We will.”

“River,” he says, the warning heavy in his voice as my meaning finally penetrates.

I fold my arms. “Don’t even try it.”

His eyebrows rise. “Try what?”

“Whatever it is you’re about to say.”

The corner of his mouth twitches, but his words are not the least bit amused. “You’re not coming.”

The words hang in the air.

“They took the man I love,” I whisper. “I can’t do nothing.”

“You can stay safe. You can let the people with the experience take control.”

“And look how well that’s worked,” I snap.

His eyes flash and he opens his mouth.

But he doesn’t get to speak.

“She’s right.”

We all freeze and look over at Angela standing in the elevator.

“You can’t be here,” Pascal says. “They’ve?—”

“Hacked the feeds, blah blah blah.” She rolls her eyes. “Don’t worry”—she leans back against the wall—“I know exactly where the cameras are.” A beat. “And how to avoid them.”

Pascal makes an annoyed sound.

“Now, the girl is right.”

Now I make an annoyed sound. I’m not a little girl.