Revolution -Eric Coulter-

Chapter 38

"That little stunt won't happen again," Evelyn shouted once they were alone. Tori had safely removed the bead from her arm and had moved on to helping the others. Eric had told them exactly how to remove them step by step. Her plan had worked, but not without angering Evelyn. "I get that you were counting on that outcome, but what if it hadn't gone that way? You could have died!" Riley remained quiet, accepting her mother's shouting. Her choices were thoughtless and selfish. "What if Eric decided to stay quiet?" She paused, "What the hell were you thinking anyway?"

"I wanted to save Tobias-"

"Is that all you have to say? That you did that for your brother? If he knew what you just did, he would-" Evelyn stopped and threw her hands in the air. "That was incredibly stupid, Riley." Riley watched as the older woman paced back and forth. "If you ever do something like that again, I'll-" but she didn't finish.

"It won't happen again," Riley promised. "I'm sorry. I was angry with you and him. My actions were irrational and thoughtless. I will never do anything like that again. I promise Mo-" Riley cleared her throat. "Evelyn."

Evelyn sighed, unsure of what to do. "I'm sorry, it's just-" she wouldn't stop pacing. The actions were starting to give Riley a headache. "You could have died. You shot yourself in the arm, and you were counting on my assumption being right. That would have been your blood on my hands. Not his."

"I know."

"It was careless."

"I know."

"And irrational."

"I know."

"And just plain stupid."

"I know."

"Riley," Evelyn turned to her. "Stop agreeing with everything I say!" She flinched as her voice bounced off the walls.

"Evelyn," Edgar stepped into the room. "All the injectors are out. We are ready to go. Just waiting on your go ahead." The man glanced at Riley knowing he had walked in at a bad time.

"Good. I'll be out in a moment. Tell everyone to get ready." Edgar nodded and slipped back out the door. Riley pushed up from her chair and reached for her jacket. "Where do you think you're going?"

Riley turned to her, "to help Tobias." It should have been obvious what she was doing. The Dauntless were safe to attack Erudite and rescue Tris and Tobias. It also was the perfect time for Evelyn to invade with Factionless.

"Absolutely not," Evelyn pointed at her. Her face was red with both anger and frustration. "You're staying here where it's safe, and where you can't rip open your stitches, again."

Riley scoffed, "yeah, right." There wasn't any way she was staying behind while they invaded Erudite. This was what everything has been building towards. How could Evelyn make her sit out on the sidelines?

"I'm serious, Riley," she wasn't backing down. "Bonnie will stay to make sure you don't hurt yourself again. But I can trust you right now. Not to tell me if you're in pain." Riley rolled her eyes, "I know you want to be out there and save your brother. But whether you like it or not, you're injured. You were shot twice and-"

"Okay," Riley stopped her. "I get you don't trust me after what I just did, but Tobias needs my help. I'm not going to sit here while you march with Dauntless to save him. I should be out there with you helping take down Jeanine. I have more cause than anyone else!"

"And we can handle it," Evelyn promised her. "Listen, I know that I may never be a mother to you, but you will always be my daughter. I will get Tobias and bring him back, along with Tris." Riley noticed the way Evelyn struggled to say Tris's name. As if the name itself was poison in her mouth. "But," she started. "I'm taking everyone. Which means you'll be in charge of the prisoner. Who's been moved to a cell downstairs." Riley stared at her, unsure of where the conversation was going. Why would Evelyn put her in charge of Eric when she knew their history? "Given the circumstances with Jeanine, I can't pardon him, but I'm willing to drop the execution charges. His information since his arrival has been," Evelyn paused. "Beneficial."

"Evelyn," Riley whispered. They had recently had this conversation, but this time it seemed different. "What are you saying right now?"

"What I'm saying is," she cleared her throat. "I am willing to extend some good graces on my end but won't pardon him entirely. He has to earn his loyalties. Especially to me, but from what I've seen. I think that's a possibility." That much Riley agreed with. She knew there was still good in Eric. No matter how much he acted as if there wasn't. "But since you're in charge, I trust you to keep an eye on him. There will be no one here to stop him if he escapes." Riley knew what Evelyn was hinting at. She could let Eric go. Free him from Factionless if she chose to. But did she want that? If Eric left, she would never see him alive again. Dead was a greater possibility.

"Evelyn-"

"I have to go," she stopped her. That was for the better. This was a significant risk on her part, and anything Riley said now could change her mind. "But I trust you to make the right decision. If we take over Erudite things will be different." Riley nodded, "and when Jeanine is dead. I'll need some help figuring things out." Evelyn smiled at her. "I'm hoping you would consider assisting me in leading the Factions. Don't say anything now. Please, just think about it." And with that, Evelyn walked away and left Riley to think about her words.

Evelyn might have been willing to forgive Eric, but Riley wasn't sure if she could do the same. He betrayed her. Killed innocent people and followed Jeanine blindly. Of course, Riley knew she had done her fair share in betraying his trust as well. But she never attacked anyone, only defended herself.

Their relationship could be described in one word, complicated. And Riley always hated complicated.