GRAYSON HADN'T SEEN MAILAH in person for thirty-six hours.
He coordinated her movements through Mason. Reviewed her security footage remotely. Made decisions about her safety from the clinical distance of the security center.
Exactly as planned.
"She's requesting permission to use the library," Mason reported, standing in the doorway. "Says she's finished everything in the room and needs something to occupy her time."
"Denied."
"Gray, she's been locked in that room for two days—"
"Which makes her predictable. Restless. Exactly what we need Theron to see." Grayson didn't look up from the greenhouse schematics. "She stays put."
Mason was quiet for a moment. "You know she understands this is an act, right? You don't actually have to be this cold to her when we're the only ones around."
