Page 93 of Legion
Tia struggled to understand that, because she herself was a total extrovert who would embrace any attention that came with success.She failed to see how Naomi could possibly be happy in the shadows.Some people just were, though.
Hearing footfalls, she turned to see Tobe heading her way.“All good?”
“All good,” he confirmed.
“Then let’s head out.”They skirted the room divider, walked through the open doorway into the sparse reception area, and then breezed out of the gallery.Spotting her guard, Naomi smiled.“Hey, Kon.I’d invite you to walk with us, but I know you won’t.”
“And so he shouldn’t,” said Tobe, his hand on her elbow guiding her forward.“His job isn’t to keep you company, it’s to watch your back.You’ll just distract him.”
She huffed.I guess.
As they joined the pedestrians walking in the direction of the Underground’s exit, Tobe cast her a quick look.“I suppose you’re meeting Belinsky later.”A petulant grumble.
Naomi sighed inwardly.“Don’t start grumbling about him again.”
“It was an innocent comment.I was merely making conversation.”
“Your idea of good conversation doesn’t feature Luka.”
“Did you make clear to him that I’m your favorite person?”
Dear Lord.“Why would I need to?It’s highly unlikely he’d care one way or the other.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Tobe mumbled.“He’s far too possessive of you for my liking.”
“You said you weren’t jealous.”
“And I’m not.Just like I wouldn’t be jealous if you took a mate.Though Iwouldbe annoyed.It would ruin our plan to grow old alone together.”
Naomi felt her brows knit.“When was that ever our plan?”she asked, mirth bleeding into her voice.
“Always.”
She shook her head.“It ain’tmyfuture goal—let’s be clear on that.”
“Well, just make sure that Belinsky doesn’t help you meet that ‘future goal’.And before you go defending him, bear in mind that I have plenty of legitimate reasons for having reservations.He’s a criminal.”
Aware of the ears all around them, she telepathically shot back,So are you.So amI.
But we don’t associate with mobsters.
You commissioned a painting for one literally last month, and I was the one who painted it.
Well, we don’t torture people in a secret underground location.
Something about his tone made her narrow her eyes.You broke into Luka’s vault, didn’t you?She’d heard whispers about the place.
It is hell on earth, I’m telling you.
Exasperated by his lack of self-preservation, she barely managed to bite back a growl.All Primes have a place they take people to be punished.
Jolene doesn’t.
Yes she does.You helped her build it!
Tobe spluttered.“Stop picking holes in my argument.”
“I don’t need to.The gaping holes are already there—I’m just pointing them out.”
