Hours later, he drags himself to his V-link station and straps on his headset.
Kane’s username is dark. Offline.
The sight still makes him smile.
He closes his eyes, and for a moment, they’re on that rooftop garden with Kane cradling the back of his head.
“You’re safe with me, always.”
He wants more time with Kane. So much more.
But Miles’s warning echoes.
“If we discover you haven’t, your employment will be the least of your concerns.”
His eyes snap open. He leans forward in his chair, running a hand through his hair.
What if he chose Kane? Could Rafael leave his job, his family, his life in Midtown, and disappear into the Outer Districts? What would everyone think?
Their reactions flash through his mind. Tears from his mother, a frown from his father, an outburst from Lian. Exactly what Rafael imagined when he considered quitting nursing for the Terra’s culinary program.
Same as before, it’s not worth the risk.
Rafael cares for Kane more than anyone else. Yet, he can’t let this relationship ruin everything he’s built. Not even for him.
With trembling fingers, Rafael drafts a V-link message to Kane.
[CAN WE MEET AT MIDTOWN PARK TOMORROW INSTEAD?]
His chest tightens as he reads the words back.
The moment he hits send, his body tightens in protest.
Rafael wants to be honest and tell Kane, but revealing VitaCorp’s threat could set off a chain reaction. Kane wouldn’t hesitate to confront them. Or worse, make him choose.
And he can’t afford that. Not with everything at stake.
30
Chapter 30 - Kane
A gust of wind hits Kane’s face. He glances up from his wristlink.
Still no sign of Rafael.
They were supposed to cook at his place tonight, their first real time together since the V-link date went sideways. Instead, Rafael asked to meet at a park in Midtown.
Kane blends as much as someone like him can in his usual leather jacket, black sweater, and lightweight armor vest beneath. Midtown joggers don’t look twice, but he’s not trusting a clean street and a morning breeze.
Overhead, a security drone whirs past, rainbow lights circling its body. A Premiere Corp model by the colors. It’s the third he’s spotted since arriving. Not surprising. Like everywhere else, this “public space” was bought and sold to them over a century ago. But they’re the least of his concerns. His crew rarely stirs up trouble with them.
“Hey.”
His smile forms automatically, only to falter the second he turns around.
Rafael’s pale expression hits first. The readout on Kane’s HUD strikes harder.
>ID: RAFAEL GUTIERREZ