“I’m sure I do.” Lila picked up one of the champagne flutes, and Sutton let the subject drop with a last delayed snicker. “Without going too far into the reasons, I find myself in need of a successor in the security office.”
“You’re leaving the militia?” Sutton said, nearly dropping her glass. “Why?”
“Personal reasons. They’ll become clear in—”
“Oh my gods, you’re finally taking over for Jewel.” Sutton stood up and grasped her chair back, fumbling for words. “It’s finally happening, isn’t it?”
“You seem happy, commander.”
“You’re damn right I’m happy. You were born to be prime. You’ve made a damn good chief, don’t get me wrong, but the family needs an able prime at the helm. Someone who will not only match your mother’s reign but best it. The family ascended to Saxony because of her. You could take us to Unity. So, you’re damn right I’m happy. The family has drifted over the last ten years. We’ve waited for too long.”
Sutton drained her glass of champagne.
“Keep it to yourself. It’s not official yet.”
“What will be official?”
“At first, that I’m taking time away from the security office. Later, I’ll reveal that I’ll bear an heir for the family.”
“You don’t want to be mobbed at the Closing Ball?”
“That’s the idea.”
“It’s probably for the best.” Sutton sat back down and refilled her glass. “I’m guessing you’ll need me to fill in as acting chief for a bit longer. I’d be happy to do so.”
“Are you sure? It might take me a while to find a replacement. I need someone more than just competent. I need someone trustworthy, who will care for every person on every Randolph compound and all our holdings. I need someone who can lead a militia that’s spread over the whole of Saxony. I need someone who might not mind a little time away from their husband.”
Sutton perked up, finally realizing where Lila’s thoughts had turned.
“Yes, you idiot. I want you to be that woman, Chief Sutton.”
Lila raised her glass to the woman’s new title and clinked her champagne flute against the one in Sutton’s hand.
The commander had not moved at the announcement. Her forehead crinkled in a comical expression. “I don’t know what to say, Ch— President?” She snorted and rubbed her face. “Gods, I don’t even know what to call you.”
“Stick with chief for now.”
“Chief.” She smiled, sipping her champagne at last. “I assumed I’d never be promoted past commander. My tech skills have never been all that good.”
“I have a solution for that,” Lila assured her, and took a very small sip of the champagne. Her stomach flopped in protest at the smell and taste of alcohol, but she ignored it. She studied the commander over the rim, knowing that her next words would knock some of the smile off Sutton’s face. “I believe that Commander McKinley will be an invaluable asset to you in your new position.”
“Commander McKinley?” Sutton repeated, and drained her glass. Lila poured another for her, knowing Sutton might have to finish the whole bottle before speaking again.
“Look at it this way, chief. If I don’t promote her, you’ll be subject to every suck-up call she’s likely to place. Besides, she is good at what she does, and she’ll need all the data coming to her so that she can plug the gaps in your knowledge. She’ll be an invaluable consult on any tech problem. You’ll both have to find a way to make it work.”
“I will endeavor to do just that,” Sutton said, as though being led to the noose.
It was Lila’s turn to laugh. “It could be worse. You could be working with your husband.”
Sutton considered the thought. “I’m not sure which idea is worse.”
“You should be the one to tell Commander McKinley. The news should come from her new superior. Later. Much later. I don’t want this getting out before I’m ready. That means no husband. No children. No one knows.”
The pair sipped champagne for several quiet moments. “You’re awfully thoughtful,” Sutton said. “Anything else you want to run past me? You didn’t promote me because I’m not one to be trusted.”
Lila tapped her fingers on her armrest. “It’s this thing with Senator Dubois,” she began, before bringing the commande
r up to speed. “I find it odd that a senator would suddenly become seedless at his age, don’t you?”