Page 85 of The Last Love Story

“So,” Callum says. “Do you? Still want to marry me?”

I don’t chance a glance at Hux, because I don’t know what his face will betray. I don’t know what mine will betray.

“Ripley,” he says, his voice low.

Unbidden, my eyes shoot up, and a handful of emotions flit across his face as he waits for me to answer. And I don’t. I can’t.

Whatever he sees there, though, seems to be an answer. He nods, smiling humorlessly as he looks down, tonguing his cheek. “So that’s it. You’re done?”

“I’m hurt,” I answer truthfully.

I swallow hard as I look at Callum. I’m trying to be measured. Be smart. I don’t want to lie to him. But there is so much more at stake here than our relationship.

“Look. My father just left for the Senate. They’re moving the vote up. To today. I just found out, and was on my way to wake you and tell you when I heard Ettie scream.”

My mind races, and this time I do look to Hux. His face tightens, and I know he’s thinking the same thing: We have to stop it. Callum is still talking, thankfully, and hasn’t realized how Hux and I are sharing a look of panic and doom.

“. . . about that, by the way. She’s kind of a total snoop. I should have warned you,” he says, and my heart aches at his ramblings. How it reminds me of the boy I used toknow. I hate how easy it is to feel at ease around him. My Callum.

My Callum, who was never really real. Who was built on lies, pretending to believe in a truth that never actually existed.

I force myself to focus on what actually matters. “The Senate vote is today?” I ask.

Callum nods. “At ten. The explosion... the copter, my dad thinks it’s proof someone is trying to kill him. Which makes him think that he must have the votes. And no one argued when he assembled the Senate last minute.”

An idea sparks in the back of my mind. I don’t have time to run it by Hux, so I hope he goes with it.

“I can’t lie anymore, Hux,” I say. Hux doesn’t move, but his eyes narrow almost imperceptibly. I take a deep breath. Here it goes. “Callum, Hux is a Mach.”

Hux goes stock-still as Callum steps closer to me, moving like he’s going to pull me to safety behind him.

“A Mach?” Callum asks, real fear in his voice. “Like... a terrorist?”

I twist, threading myself between Callum and Hux. With one hand, I caress Callum’s chest, worrying his gold camera button that he wears like a lucky talisman. With the other, I hold up what could be its twin behind my back.

When I feel Hux’s fingers brush mine, and he takes what I was holding, I know he’s understood, or at least is playing along. Because I’ve handed him the poker chip.

“He was,” I say darkly. “But he’s turned on them, Callum. That’s why he’s here. He’s defected. He’s not with them anymore. I... convinced him, last night. He’s seen the error of his ways. He’ll do anything for me. He told me that.” I swallow thickly. “And I’ll do anything for you, Callum. This was all for you.”

Callum’s eyes dart from my face to Hux’s. He’s a liar. Can he believe that I’m a liar, too? Maybe it’s broken him, these eight years in the White House.

Because he takes the bait.

“Hux,” I say, laying it on thick. “Tell him what you told me. Right after we kissed.”

“You’re selling me out?” Hux asks, his voice raw, and I can’t turn, because if I see the hurt on his face, I might ruin this whole thing.

Callum’s face goes tight with a cold sort of victory. He almost grins. “The Machs won’t take you back now. You’re burned. You might as well tell us, and hope that it’s enough to save your neck.”

Hux takes a breath, like he’s steeling himself for the next sentence. “There’s an attack planned on the vote today. On your father.”

I pivot, backing up closer to Callum. I look at Hux, widening my eyes slightly.

Play along.

Callum pulls me beside him, and I see Hux’s fists clench at his side. “So you’re not in love with her?” Callum presses.

“No,” I say easily just as Hux replies, “Oh, no. I am.”