Realistically, there weren't any other options. He had to give Tommy to Clay, or else Clay would have retaliated against both of them--maybe Alex, too, and Niki and Jack--rather than just Tommy. It was the most logical course of action. The only rational decision.

He did check with Clay after, and Clay assured him that Tampa would leave the rest of them alone as long as they leave Tommy alone, so that's good.

He feels vaguely nauseous, or maybe something else? Hard to say. Definitely whatever he had at the party that made everything floaty and distant sounds like it would be incredibly nice right now. He's definitely aware that this is the sort of reasoning that makes people into drug addicts, but hey.

So he stops Alex on their way out of the library.

"Do you have any of Schlatt's potions still? I was thinking, I'd be willing to trade for some."