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He frowned. “Oh. Okay. Maybe coffee then?”
This felt very different than with Elliot. This made bile rise in my throat, and if I dropped to my knees and crawled away, would that help? Should I push him? He was more than a foot taller than me. I didn’t know how that would be effective.
I very much did not like this.
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After I talked to Fallyn, I stayed at the convention center long enough to make sure the booth was set up, and headed back to the offices. Most of the staff was doing a lot of double duty, rotating between the show and the game. Everyone had a say in where they went, but most of us chose both to keep our minds fresh.
It didn’t matter if I was helping move tables into place on the convention center floor, or fixing bugs, the exchange with Fallyn never left my mind.
I didn’t want to be mad at her. I wanted to find that same connection I had with her—with Kittie—in the game. But that wasn’t an option if I couldn’t trust her, and what she’d done…
I was returning to the convention center to take my turn working assecurityfor the booth. Which really meant that those of us on duty stood around with looks that saidbehave or else.
A familiar voice reached my ears, though I couldn’t quite place it. But the second one was distinctly Fallyn. I followed the sounds to find her literally with her back to the wall, talking to Bryce. I’d worked with Bryce for years, first at Rinslet and then at AcesPlayed. His specialty was digital security, and we’d thought he was one of us.
Judith fired him a few years ago, because he used the excuse of working on a game with sex in it to let his predator side show through. We’d discovered he was using his access to beta applications to stalk some of the female players.
And now he had Fallyn pinned in a corner, and she looked very much like she didn’t want to be there.
“Bryce, hey.” I made sure my voice carried over the crowds, not just for him to hear, but everyone around us. “I’m surprised they let you in.” As I reached them, I maneuvered myself between the two of them.
Bryce took several steps back. His scowl was priceless. “Anyone can buy a ticket.”
“Anyone can have their ticket revoked, as well.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Fallyn move further away, but not out of earshot.
“We were just talking. You know who she is, don’t you?” The way Bryce squared his shoulders, stood taller, was probably supposed to intimidate me.
It didn’t. “Does it matter who she is if she doesn’t want to talk to you?”
“Of course she wants to.”
“I don’t.” Fallyn’s voice was tiny.
This fucking asshole. “Problem solved,” I said. “You can go about the show, knowing she’s done with the conversation, or I can find security and have them keep you from returning.”
Where Bryce’s fingers dug into his crossed arms, pale indentations appeared. I held his gaze, not blinking.
He flinched first. “I’m good.” He turned away.
“Thank you,” Fallyn said softly, when Bryce was gone.
I wanted to stay and chat, as much as I shouldn’t. She looked even better in her outfit than I remembered from this morning, and she also looked like better company than standing around glaring at con-goers would be.
But I was on the afternoon shift with Elliot, and that was pretty tempting too. Besides… Work. “I have to get to the booth. You okay?”
“Yes.” Despite the words, a frown flitted onto her face.
“Good. See you around.” That felt weird in a way I didn’t like, mostly the walking away part of it, but what else was I supposed to do?
I was halfway to the booth, when I saw Chloe walking in the other direction. She had started at Cord as a writer, decades ago. Her fan-fiction of their games landed her the job. Now, she was Rinslet’s Chief Marketing Officer. This was her show. She’d made it what it was, and continued to outdo herself every year.
I had nothing but respect for Chloe. I waved and gave her a warm smile. “Hey. Loving the event. Of course.”
“Thanks.” Her grin was bright. Her gaze darted around the room, and she fidgeted even as she stopped. “Loving the game.”
