That caused a round of agreement and Rory to squeeze his hand. Austerity, lockdown, what did that mean? There was nothing about Abundance, except the quality of the food that indicated the kind of money people had spent to come here had run out.
“Some of you have loved ones on the outside. This is your last chance to convince them to cash up and apply to join us. Paper, envelopes and stamps will be available at HQ.”
Whatever Spencer said next was drowned out by uproar.
“Show me a missile, you fuckers,” he said under cover of the noise, “just one and this is all over.”
He disconnected their hands, pressing Rory’s palm onto the muscle of his thigh. Their eyes met. It was only this morning he’d made her come. It was a moment of delirium, still a live culture in his body. It wasn’t who they were to each other but for that one goddamn sunlit-from-the-inside experience.
“We need to know what this means,” she said.
She was talking about the frenzy going on around them.
A new burst of applause met Orrin as he stepped out onto the stage. After the furor it was celebratory, people leaping to their feet, and calls of support. Orrin held his hands out, made a settling motion, wore the kind of smile that said, trust me, you won’t even feel it as I fleece you of everything you hold dear. The guy had charisma and he knew how to work it.
“Orrin Epcot for President.”
“Orrin is our savior.”
“Abundance forever.”
“Amen.”
“We love you, Orrin.”
“Orrin Epcot for jail,” he whispered as Rory stood and dragged him up with her.
She raised her hands and joined the clapping, big smile almost knocking out the determination in her face. “Let’s get this done.”
Before they’d taken their seats, Orrin called the first name. “Cadence Falstaff.” A shock opening. A crowd pleaser. He hadn’t been able to find Cadence’s face in the crowd, but an expectant murmur went up as she stood. She was at least ten tables away and with her eyes down, well beyond his reach.
“Who do you bond with, Cadence?” Orrin asked.
“Not me,” a guy behind them heckled.
“Not in a million,” said another.
“Not if she was the last cold fuck on the road to the decay.”
Orrin could’ve shut that down, called for order, talked about respect. He let the abuse go on, each heckler’s call riffing off the one before it. Zeke ground his teeth. Rory swore. Cadence flushed at the laugher that rang out, tucking her chin down further and gripping the back of her chair.
If he bonded with Susan, he was abandoning Cadence.
“Cadence,” said Orrin. “You know your duty. Choose or a bond mate will be chosen for you.”
“Cadence,” Rory said. “You can’t freeze now.” Out of the corner of his eye he saw a man stand, pushed upright, complaining all the while. Rory shoved his shoulder. “What are you waiting for?”
If Rory bonded with Orrin she’d be right next door to the seat of power and she had her own strategies for keeping his amorous intentions at bay. The thought of her needing to be close to Orrin was intolerable, but she wouldn’t thank him for trying to get in the way of her doing her job.
He’d go a long way to keep Rory from dancing too close to harm. He’d deal with her displeasure. But he wouldn’t risk creating a new life out of deceit or letting Cadence get hurt. If he bonded with Cadence, he was keeping his promise to her, keeping her safe, making an enemy of Susan and fucking with Orrin.
“Cadence bonds with me,” he called, coming to stand, the surprise of it shutting down the hecklers.
There was a shocked silence. The other man who’d stood disappeared. Cadence didn’t raise her eyes. A look of annoyance stamped Orrin’s face.
“You’re new here, Zack Woods. Do you understand the rules for bonding? You can choose anyone who is free to be chosen tonight?”
“Oh shit,” Rory said.