Choose good.

Lynell believes him. Trusts him. Maybe trusting him will be the dumbest thing she’s ever done. But she sees the truth in the way his voice shakes and the proof he took a stand against his father in the many wounds covering his body.

She doesn't think she and Daniel can do this alone. Survive, keep Anna safe, figure out the code, know what to do with it.

They need Zach.

More than that, she wants Zach on their side.

“Maybe he will screw up and end the Registration,” Lynell says.

“I doubt it. But if he did, it would be in the worst way possible. I’m not sold that ending the Registration is the smartest thing to do but if that’s what we decide, then we have to do it the right way. We have to prepare the country and work with the oligarchs to have new laws in place. It will take time to make sure there is as little fallout as possible,” Zach says.

His words convince Lynell that they need him. She has no idea what she’s doing. But her cousin has grown up in this world. He knows the intricate details of the Registration. He has connections and a voice. Zach has power.

Lynell sits up straighter, strength seeping into her bones at the prospect of finally making a decision and taking action. For better or worse.

“So, how do we do this?”

Relief visibly washes over Zach. He returns the clean and dry mug to the cupboard. “First, we keep you alive for the next four days,” he says, sitting next to Lynell. “You’re the real heir. The only one left.”

Lynell drags her nails along the back of her thumb. “Actually . . .”

He turns to look at her, eyebrows raised. “What?”

“Danny and I . . . we have a daughter.”

Hours later, feeling hungover, Lynell wakes up next to Daniel. “Good morning,” he says, kissing the side of her forehead.

The bandage on his shoulder is tinged red. She reaches over to touch the corner and Daniel grabs her wrist, pulling it to his lips so he can press a kiss to her palm. “I’m okay,” he says. She knows he’s right and it could have been much worse. Daniel leans down to kiss her slowly before climbing off the bed. “Actually, I’m great! You said you loved me yesterday,” he says.

Lynell can hear the smile in his voice, and she rolls over to sit up. He gives her a self-satisfied smirk and a blush rises to her cheeks.

“Right before you tried to get us killed, but still.”

“Hey, I told you to run,” Lynell says, head jerking up. Daniel laughs.

“How you thought I was going to leave you after all this is beyond me.”

She stands and steps closer so she’s standing behind him. She wraps her hand around his uninjured shoulder and kisses his back. “How are you feeling?”