“… League command is refusing to comment or speculate. But again, they have routed the Resistance and taken all of its leaders into custody.”

They flashed to one of the League high commanders. “We were invited here by the members of the CDS, and we have now taken control of the cesspit of the Caronese Empire. The CDS is no longer the ruling body here and they will be required to submit to our rule until such a time as we deem they are safe.”

“And what of Governor Cruel?” the reporter asked.

“Since we have been provided with proof of his diminished capacity and known ties to the Resistance, we are relieving him of his duties. If he refuses to surrender himself to our custody, we will be forced to issue a bounty on him and arrest him.”

That actually made Darling laugh. “Bring it, punk. But you better stock up on body bags.” He wouldn’t go down without a fight.

He locked gazes with Gera.

“How did they capture her?” Gera asked.

“I don’t know. But don’t worry. I will get her back.”

She gave him a kind smile. “I have faith in you, my lord.”

He wished he shared that faith with her. Because once he set his arrogance aside, he knew the truth. Going up against the League was suicide. It was one thing to defend himself against random assassins sent in to kill him.

It was another to take an army up against them.

Darling clutched at the remote. To get Zarya back now would require the kind of bombastic lunacy people wrote warning fables about.

Great. Arturo was right. My only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others…

His gaze went to another monitor that showed Zarya from a different angle. There was no fear showing on her face at all. She walked with the grace and dignity of a queen.

But he knew her well enough to recognize her fear. Underneath her icy façade, she was terrified and she had every right to be. Much like with Giran’s son, a woman in League custody never fared well.

Touch her and so help me, I will kill every one of you…

“Hold on, baby,” he whispered. “I’m coming for you.” Even if it meant his life.

The saddest part? He’d be damned lucky if that was all they took.

24

“We’re so dead.”

Running her fingers over the restraints on her wrists, Zarya took a deep breath as she tried to stay strong for the men and women around her. Even though Pip had been the Resistance leader for almost two years, she’d worn that responsibility a lot longer.

And not to be arrogant, but a lot better. If she could get the Resistance members to trust her again, she might be able to get all of them out of this alive.