Page 28 of Black Reign

Traitors.

I look toward the coast.

“I met her inside an encrypted network.”

Drew nods solemnly.

“As one does.”

“Shut up.”

He mimes zipping his mouth.

“It isn't public. Invitation only. Everyone uses handles. No identities.”

Jalen's grin fades into interest.

“What kind of people?”

“Hackers. Cryptographers. Security contractors. People selling things they shouldn't. People buying things they shouldn't.”

Kane looks at me.

“You hang out there recreationally?”

“I don't golf.”

Vale laughs.

“Fair.”

“She entered a thread I was in and insulted something I'd written.”

Drew whispers, “Romance.”

I ignore him.

“She was wrong.”

Leo smiles.

“I assume you told her.”

“Immediately.”

“And?”

“She proved she wasn't wrong.”

The laughter fades.

They know me well enough to understand why that matters.

Haverhill leans back.

“No.”

“Yes.”