Elliot could deny it. Should deny it, probably. Two words—"No, sir"—and this conversation would end differently.
But Elliot said nothing. Not quite a confession, but not denial either.
Chen's jaw tightened. He closed the folder. "Normally, this would mean immediate dismissal. For… both parties involved." The pause made it clear he knew exactly who the other person was. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good." Chen leaned back in his chair, appearing even more uncomfortable now. "However. Given... certain circumstances, and the fact that you're two weeks from completion, we're willing to overlook this. As long as it stops. Immediately."
Elliot dug his fingers into his thighs.
"I need your word, Lieutenant. This ends now."
Elliot wanted to refuse. To tell Chen to report it and let the consequences play out. Confront his father with the truth of who he was.
He wanted it out in the open.
But Hale would go down with him. Hale, who'd wanted this since he was a kid and had worked for years to get here. Whose dream was aviation, Lewis-McChord, flying.
Elliot couldn't destroy that just to spite his father.
"Yes, sir. You have my word."
Chen nodded once, looking relieved. "Good. Then this stays between us. You're dismissed."
Elliot stood, saluted, and left.
The hallway outside the administrative building was crowded. Too crowded.
Guys who had no business being in that corridor lingered. Word had spread. Elliot getting called into Chen's office was entertainment apparently.
He kept walking.
"Hey, Shaw." Briggs' voice cut through the murmur of conversation. He was leaning against the wall with two other guys, arms crossed, wearing that smug expression Elliot hated. "Everything okay? You look a little tense."
He didn't stop. Didn't acknowledge him.
"What'd Chen want to talk about?" Briggs pushed off the wall, voice louder now. "Or should I saywho?"
Elliot's hands flexed at his sides. His shoulders locked, but he kept walking.
"Must be nice," Briggs called after him, "having friends in high places."
Elliot stopped.
He turned slowly, meeting Briggs' eyes.
Briggs was grinning now, enjoying this, the audience. Elliot ground down on his molars so hard it hurt. His hands were fists. Every muscle in his body coiled.
One step forward. That's all it would take. One step and Briggs would say something worse, something explicit, and Elliot would put him on the ground.
And Hale would pay for it.
Elliot forced his hands to unclench and turned back around. He kept walking even though everything in him wanted to stay and fight.
Behind him, Briggs laughed. "Yeah. That's what I thought."
That’s when Elliot heard Hale’s voice, low and dangerous.
