Page 329 of Reaper Said Mine

“It is yours. I want to help build something that outlives my mistakes without owning it.”

The words settle deep.

That is the difference.

Once, he would have wanted to protect by possession. Hold the station. Hold the lanes. Hold me. Hold every threat at blade length through fear and force. Now he is offering support with open hands and legal distance, which might be the most romantic thing I have ever heard and absolutely the least convenient to explain.

I set the slate down carefully.

“The board will review it.”

His eyes warm. “Of course.”

“I will recuse myself from the initial funding vote.”

“Very ethical.”

“I am painfully ethical.”

“Painfully difficult.”

“Also true.”

Skahar reaches across the table and taps the slate with one claw. “Accept the money eventually. I am old and wish to see corrupt officials develop stress rashes before I die.”

“That is your philanthropic vision?”

“Yes.”

“Honestly, I’ve heard worse mission statements.”

Bellamy appears in the doorway, because apparently the room’s privacy settings were decorative. “Are we accepting the terrifyingly ethical pile of money?”

I point at him. “Board review.”

“Boring but correct.”

Dakka calls from the main office, “If the money buys better server cooling, I vote yes.”

“You are not on the board,” Bellamy yells back.

“I should be. I understand vents.”

Rana leans into the doorway beside Bellamy. “I also vote yes if I get a security budget that doesn’t require threatening smugglers for discounts.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “This organization has existed for six weeks.”

Bellamy smiles. “And already the staff has a robust democratic culture.”

Gnash looks pleased.

“You enjoy my chaos.”

“I enjoy watching you command it.”

“That sounded like a compliment.”

“It was.”