Read Online Defector by Susanne Winnacker - Free Book Online

least pretend to work under federal laws.”
    “You don’t realize the consequences of your incompetence.”
    “And you are a drama queen.” I had to stifle a gasp. But Senator Pollard continued as if he hadn’t just insulted Major. “What can they do with a file? So what if they know who’s been locked up in our prison?”
    I heard some rustling, and the door opened. I stumbled back, but it was too late. Summers had seen me. She slipped the door shut behind her and cocked a blond eyebrow. “Poking your nose into things that aren’t your business?”
    I was about to reply, but she didn’t give me the chance. “Curiosity killed the cat. Some things better stay a secret,
believe me
,” she added, then she strode down the corridor.
    Was she talking about Alec’s secret Variation? Or were there more secrets—even darker secrets—I didn’t know?

CHAPTER 8
     
    T anner was the one who brought me the clothes I was to wear as Senator Pollard: a dark gray suit, a white shirt, and a red tie, as well as white cotton briefs and an undershirt. I hadn’t considered that I’d have to wear his underwear, too.
    Tanner leaned against the doorframe, twisting his septum piercing. His expression was too serious.
    “What’s up?” I asked.
    “I need to talk to you,” he said. “About Alec.”
    Dread settled in the pit of my stomach. That was the last thing I wanted to talk about.
    “Can it wait until later? I need to change.” I couldn’t even look him in the eyes. He was Alec’s best friend. He’d probably been in on his secret from the start. I knew which side he was on.
    “I won’t take long.” He moved closer, but then he thought better of it and stopped in the middle of the room. He looked uneasy, as if what he was going to say next was way out of his comfort zone. “Alec loves you. You know that, right?”
    Of course I knew. Alec had said the words to me, but hearing Tanner say them made them seem more real. “Love isn’t the problem,” I said quietly. I glanced at the photo of Alec and me on my nightstand. Why did things have to go wrong so fast? There had been a time in my life when I’d thought Alec admitting his love for me would make me the happiest person alive.
    “All you need is love. Want me to sing the song?” he joked. But the grin died on his lips when he saw my expression. “Not a good day to make jokes, eh?”
    I shook my head. I stared down at the clothes clutched in my hands.
    “Alec’s beating himself up because of the whole thing,” Tanner said. He was rubbing his checkered sneakers over the floor, back and forth, back and forth. I focused on them instead of his face. “He wanted to tell you. But things aren’t that easy when Major is involved.”
    I raised my head. “So you know about his Dual Variation?”
    Tanner hesitated, his dark eyes cornered. “Yeah, but—”
    “Did he tell you?”
    Tanner gripped his mohawk. “Jeez, Tessa, I’m making a mess of things.”
    “So he told you but not me?”
    “It’s complicated.”
    I pointed a finger at him. “Oh no, not you too. I’ve heard those words so often, and I’m sick of it.”
    “Alec was worried about how you’d react if you found out. But believe me, he wanted to tell you.”
    “Did he send you to talk to me?” I demanded.
    Tanner snorted. “Alec? Please. You know him. He tries to deal with stuff on his own. He’d probably kick my ass if he found out I was here.”
    “I really need to change into Pollard now,” I said.
    Tanner nodded and moved toward the door. His hand on the handle, he turned to me once more. “You two need each other. You should give him another chance. Everyone makes mistakes.”
    “Believe me, I know. And I never said I wouldn’t give him another chance. But I’m upset, and I really need to focus.”
    Tanner hesitated as if there was more to say, but then he slipped out and closed the door without a sound. I stared at the white surface for a moment, trying to calm my raging emotions