tell him that I would be invaluable if we were caught because I could listen in on the enemy.
Ian nodded, his face set in grim lines. “Your skills would be useful,” he admitted. “But if you go, Ada must remain here. We can’t give House Rockhurst the ability to knock out half of House von Hasenberg in one fell swoop.”
“I agree. Ada can’t go, as much as she’s going to want to. If Ferdinand or I am caught, Father will likely negotiate for us. Ada was banished. Albrecht will write her off.”
Father had started dropping hints that he would like me to find and disable Ada’s death file—the documents that would automatically be released upon her untimely demise. She’d bought hers and Loch’s freedom with a bluff about the amount of information she had on the Genesis Project. If Father knew exactly how thin the contents of those files really were, Ada would have an “accident” in her near future.
“Will she stay if you tell her to?”
I laughed. “Have you met Ada?”
The transport landed on Rhys’s street and I changed the destination to his house. If nothing else, I needed to grab the silencer. It could come in handy in a variety of situations and I wasn’t sure Ian had another one.
“Are we waiting for Loch and Ada or are we grabbing our stuff and getting out?” Ian asked.
I rubbed my eyes. Ada would forgive me. Eventually. Maybe. As long as I didn’t die. “Pack fast,” I said. I told the transport to wait for us.
The butler opened the door before I could knock. “Welcome back.”
“Thank you, ah, sir,” I said, drawing back the hood of my cloak. I’m pretty sure we’d been introduced at some point, but I couldn’t remember his name. My memory was worse when I was tired.
A child’s happy shriek drew my attention to the hallway that led to the family drawing room. The butler subtly moved in front of me. “If you would like to freshen up in your rooms, I will let Mr. Sebastian know you are here.”
Well, that was about as subtle as a rogue freighter. Curiosity rose, but I shoved it aside. I had other things to worry about right now. “We will do that, thanks,” I said.
Ian insisted on carrying my suitcase upstairs. I let him. He dropped it on my bed then crossed to the door to his room. “I’ll be ready in three,” he said.
I didn’t take the time to change, I just shoved the few things I’d unpacked into the bag I’d brought with me from Fortuitous. I was ready by the time Ian reappeared carrying a small bag.
He picked up my suitcase. “Are you sure I can’t change your mind?”
“I’m sure.” I opened the door and came face-to-face with Rhys, who had his hand raised to knock.
“Going somewhere?” he asked mildly.
Ian stepped up behind me, but I held on to the door so he couldn’t go around me. “Yes,” I said.
Rhys didn’t move. “Does Ada know?”
“No, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Why?”
I tilted my head and studied Rhys. Ada trusted him, and he’d always treated me fairly, so I decided to give him the truth. “Because Ferdinand is in the Antlia sector and going there would be far more dangerous for Ada than for me.”
Rhys grinned. “She’s going to kill you when you get back.” His grin faded. “Make sure you come back. Do you need a ship?”
Fortuitous couldn’t jump for two days, and although Aurora should’ve arrived, it would be in cooldown, too. We needed a new ship. “I don’t want to put you in an awkward spot with Ada,” I hedged.
“I have a ship,” Ian said. I glanced at him in surprise, but he didn’t elaborate.
Rhys inclined his head and moved aside. “Should I tell Ada where you’re going?”
“I will message her once we’re in the air,” I said. “When we have a solid plan, I’ll send the details on a twelve-hour delay. Whatever happens, you can’t let her come to Antlia. Find a merc crew or send one of your crews, I’ll pay for whatever it costs, but Ada must stay safe.”
Rhys drew me into a brotherly hug. “You know she loves you just as much as you love her, right? What would you do if Ada was imprisoned on a Rockhurst planet in the middle of a war?” He pulled back and grinned at me. “Don’t let anything happen to you.”
“I’ll do my best,” I said. “Thank you for the hospitality.”
“Come