Last Guard (Psy-Changeling Trinity #5) by Nalini Singh

Her head was heavy, the pain a constant now, but she allowed none of that to show on her face. “I have been inducted into the Ruling Coalition. I wasn’t permitted to speak about the possibility until it was final.”

Pranath Rao was a man who’d long perfected an expressionless—if cold—countenance, but even he blinked in surprise, his posture suddenly straighter. “I’ve heard nothing of this.”

“The official press release will be going out within the next hour.” Ivy Jane had sent her a message alerting her to that fact. “I was permitted that time to advise my family unit.”

“I must admit you’ve caught me unprepared,” Pranath confessed. “Why did they approach you? Gia Khan has always been the front-runner in our region when it comes to politics.”

“I’m a hub-anchor, Father. A powerful one who is currently holding Delhi together.” This wasn’t the time to be modest about her abilities; her father reacted to power and she’d use that weakness against him. “The Coalition wants an anchor presence, and they need an A who is both stable and able to understand business. As for the approach, I made it on behalf of Designation A.”

Before Pranath could interrupt, she continued, “Given my sudden elevation to Coalition-member status, I’ve been asked to stay in Moscow and liaise with Kaleb Krychek for approximately two weeks, to ensure that I know my duties and can access all necessary databases.” It was the longest she could be physically away from her anchor zone.

Avarice fairly pulsed off her father. “Payal, I could’ve never predicted this, and I’m certain I won’t believe it until I see the release, but well done, daughter.”

She inclined her head. “I can deal with family business matters remotely, but I don’t also need to be dealing with Lalit. At present, he’s attempting to break into my personal quarters.” An angry Canto had just passed her that information.

Her father nodded. “I’ll pull him into line—and I’ll put aside two vials of your medication for you to pick up.”

“I’d appreciate it if you could courier it to my secure Coalition box in Moscow.” A service that had been put automatically in place once she was accepted into the group and had stated her aim of staying in Moscow for the time being. “I need to maintain my energy levels to deal with Krychek.”

“Agreed.”

“Father, courtesy of the recent fractures in the Net in our area, I’ll need a dose within the next two hours. Can you have a teleport courier make the delivery by then?”

“I’ll organize it now.” A ten-second pause in his feed. When he reappeared, he said, “It’ll be there within the next five minutes.” His eyes bore into her. “Remember your family, Payal. You wouldn’t have been chosen for this position if you weren’t the Rao CEO. I put you there.”

No, Payal had put herself there, after outperforming Lalit in every way. “Of course, Father. I won’t be able to report in regularly, due to my heavy schedule, but I’ll give you a full debrief when I can return home.”

“Understood.” Pranath Rao was nothing if not practical when it came to matters of power. “Do you need us to teleport across your clothing and personal items?”

“There’s no need.” And no reason for Pranath’s people to enter her apartment. “I’ll make local purchases. A small way to get my face and name out among Psy businesses once the news hits the public channels.”

“You’ve always been a clever child.” Pranath smiled that cold, false smile. “Do the family proud, Payal.”

After signing off, Payal glanced at her timepiece. Hmm …

Exiting the tech room, she went to head upstairs but heard a sound to the left and went that way instead. She found Canto stripped to the waist, his lower body clad only in black exercise shorts. His upper body gleamed with sweat, but he was currently exercising his legs using robotic braces that had him gritting his teeth as he lifted his legs up and down.

The brace was a webwork carapace of gleaming black that went over his legs, up his arms, and partially along his spine. Payal knew the devices were designed to function even on a fully passive patient, but it appeared Canto had set it so he had to use his ab and arm muscles to power the device.

That took brutal strength—his legs would’ve become dead weights multiplied by the weight force he’d programmed on the device the instant he turned off the robotic lift assist. From the lights along one side of his thigh, she could see that he’d left on the muscle-stimulation function that kept his muscles from atrophying.

But it was the teeth-gritted grimace on his face that held her attention. “This is not comfortable for you.”

He grunted, clearly unsurprised by her presence. “Fucking thing feels like biting ants across my spine.” He lifted up again, his shoulder muscles defined as he curled up his arms to lift his legs as the brace pulsed his leg muscles to keep them strong and active. “But it’s the best way to keep my legs from turning into twigs.”

Perspiration gleamed on his skin. His hair was damp at the temples, the scent of him a mix of fresh sweat and Canto. The primal nature of the scene spoke to the wild part of her she’d so long locked away.

Walking closer, she waited until he’d lowered his legs.