[Contributor 02] - Infiltrator (2013) (28 page)

“Did they tell you about the domes?”

“They told us about what they suspected. I take that to mean your mission brought us proof?”

“Yes, it did.”

“I know you may not want to hear this, but it means Letizia’s sacrifice was worth it.”

“You think so?” Dara asked, staring at him with a furious gaze, her voice lowering. “You think her being tortured, questioned, probably killed, was worth this evidence?”

“Yes, I do, and I think you will too, once you figure out how to redirect that anger.”

“What makes you so sure of that?”

“I have personal experience. This is how I’m redirecting mine.”

Blowing out a breath, she let go of her anger. He was right, she did need to redirect it. Taking it out on him, on Raj and everyone else, wouldn’t get her anywhere. Taking it out on Magnum would. “How’s your sister?”

Pain brightened his eyes, but also hope. “She’s doing better, now that she’s getting the treatment she needs. I owe you my thanks, you know. You doing what you did, I know it got you in hot water, but you saved my life, and you saved my sister.”

“You were trying to save her all along, weren’t you?”

“Yes, I was. I thought if I became Andersen’s assistant, I might be able to gain some leverage, but when I realized I’d lose to you, I stole as much information from him as I could get. I knew I could use it to help Rosario.”

“That’s why you were so nice when my mom was injured.”

“Yes. I knew what it was like to be in your shoes, to be asked to choose between your family and your duty to Magnum.” He put sarcastic emphasis on the last few words, and it struck her how parallel their lives were in many respects. She hadn’t known what to make of him, still wasn’t entirely sure, but she felt like she was finally getting a glimpse of who he was and what motivated him.

“We both chose our families.”

“I’d do it all over again, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes. Every bit of it.” Something inside her broke at the admission, and she swallowed. Yet it also set a part of her free, brought her a peace she hadn’t expected. She didn’t want to have to sacrifice Letizia, and she wasn’t ready to give up hope for her former master, but she did feel partly absolved of her guilt. Letizia had believed in what the Free Thinkers were doing, had trusted that it was the right thing, to the extent that she’d been willing to sacrifice herself for it. That counted for something with Dara.

“We have a common cause, you and I. We don’t have to fight against one another for self-preservation anymore. Imagine how dangerous we could be if we worked together.” Javier gave her a wolfish grin, and she found herself smiling in response.

“Partners?” She offered him her hand.

“Partners.” He took it and shook.

Wasn’t that what it was about, in the end? The chance to work with people instead of against them? It was the choice she had made, and she knew it was the right one.

“You ready to set the world on fire?” he asked.

“Yes, I am.”