Though he smiles, guilt tugs at him.
“And I hope you’ll be happy for me too. That chrome-dacious enforcer finally asked me on a date!”
“Of course, Lian!” Rafael cheers. “That’s fantastic news! I’m happy for you, too.” Even if her track record with relationships isn’t the best.
With a wave and a grin, Lian heads for the door, only to pop her head back in. “Wait—you never told me!” She gasps. “What’s this mystery guy’s name?”
Rafael’s pulse spikes.
According to Echo, only the NCPD or folks from the Outer Districts know who the Chrome Baron is. But Lian dates cops sometimes. And tonight she’s seeing a VitaCorp enforcer. Still, with eight million residents in Nova City, there have to be other guys named—
“Kane,” he breathes.
“Kane?” Lian’s brow raises. His heart skips a beat.
Her face lights up. “Cute! I bet he has red hair!” She flashes a smile before bouncing back out.
The door hisses shut. Rafael exhales slowly, slumping against his chair. But the relief quickly fades as dread settles in his gut.
Tonight, their friends will want details, and sooner or later, his parents will find out too. Maria, Lian—everyone will want to meet him.
A shiver runs down his spine.
How long before someone sees through the lies? How longbefore Rafael has to choose between his life here in Midtown and what he has with Kane?
He runs a hand through his hair, trying to shake the thought. Lian doesn’t know who Kane really is or the real truth about how they met. So far, his story is safe. For now.
Rafael sets his V-link headset back on. Kane’s username in his contact menu is dark, the offline status pulsing. A swipe through the air brings up a translucent keyboard in his overlay, syncing instantly with his wristlink. He types out a quick message—an explanation and apology—and taps send.
Then he waits.
29
Chapter 29 - Rafael
Rafael is halfway through his usual synth bologna sandwich when Divya leans across the table.
“Did you hear they installed new sensors in the staff locker rooms?” she asks, gesturing with her fork at the red lights blinking above them.
Gavin shrugs. “Like the ones in our breakroom?” He lowers his voice and leans forward. “Annoying, but they caught Anthony stealing with them last year. Remember?”
Her eyes widen. “I forgot about him!” she whispers. Rafael’s fingers tighten around his fork. He hasn’t.
Anthony being escorted out of the building by VitaCorp enforcers is still burned into his memory. He shouted about being set up the whole way out, but the rumors spread fast about sensory footage and undeniable proof. His former manager mentioned something about him ending up on Nova City Island, a “retraining facility” for the mega corps.
“He was kind of weird,” she goes on. “I once saw him talking to a drone.” Her hand lifts to hide a grin. “What’s the point? No AI in those things.”
Gavin chokes on his drink, trying to laugh, spraying the liquid all over the table. As he scrambles for napkins, Divya jumps in to help clean up. Rafael instinctively scans the room, checking if anyone noticed.
Luckily, no one seems to. Around them, other staff members shovel down lunch at scattered tables, barely pausing between bites. Waiter drones buzz between them, delivering trays and clearing empties. Near the entrance, a pair of doctors stroll past with smiles, heading for their private lounge down the hall. Behind them is a group of administrators in crisp yellow suits guiding a family from downtown toward the premium wing.
Movement across the table draws his focus back to Gavin tossing a used napkin into a passing cleaner drone. “Sorry, guys. You know how clumsy I am.”
“Hard to believe they let you be a physical therapist.” Divya snorts. “Good thing your patients have me, too.”
Gravin crosses his arms. “I’m not that bad. Come on.”
Their bickering pulls a smile from Rafael. Daily lunches with these two are his favorite part of the night shift.