They fell into silence, both focused on evidence that proved conspiracy and fraud. Maeve's anger built with each forged signature, each manufactured complaint. Hector had spent months building a case designed to humiliate and destroy. Had used her family name as a weapon against everything she'd built.
"We need to organize this," she said finally. "Separate the shipping manifests from the forged documents. Build a timeline that shows how long he's been planning this."
"Agreed." Dante stood, moving to the bar. "Coffee?"
"Please."
She watched him work, moving through her space with easy familiarity. He knew where she kept the good beans. Knew how she liked it brewed strong enough to strip paint. Small details he'd picked up over the past two weeks of lurking around her deliveries and annoying her into conversation.
He returned with two steaming mugs, setting one in front of her.
"Start with supplier information," she said. "We need to figure out when each shipment was compromised. That'll tell us when Hector's people had access."
Maeve never opened the tavern that day, dedicating her time to saving it. Plus, if Hector’s people saw it closed, maybe they would start thinking they won and she could blindside them.
Her and Dante worked for hours. Sorting papers. Building timelines. Cross-referencing dates with her own records. Dante fetched candles when the overhead lights felt too harsh, turning the empty tavern into something intimate and secretive. Snow continued falling outside, piling against windows and muffling the world beyond their small circle of candlelight.
Maeve caught herself watching him. The way firelight played across his features. The concentration in his expression when hestudied evidence. The careful way he handled papers like they mattered because they were connected to her.
"Here." He pushed a timeline across the table. "First sabotage happened three weeks after Hector became alpha of his pride. That's not coincidence."
"He waited until he had authority to file Council complaints." Maeve studied the dates. "Built his power base first, then started undermining mine."
"Smart." Dante's jaw tightened. "Bastard's been playing chess while everyone else played checkers."
"Not anymore." She grabbed a fresh sheet of paper, sketching out a strategy. "We take this to Varric tomorrow. Show him the forged documents and the supplier information. That kills Hector's Council petition and exposes his conspiracy."
"What about the rogues?"
"Emmett handles them. They're in Hollow Oak territory without permission. That's Council jurisdiction." She added notes to her sketch. "Varric can order them expelled, maybe arrested for trespassing and assault."
"Assault?" Dante's mouth curved. "You noticed my knuckles."
"Hard to miss." She glanced up, finding his eyes on her. Warm. Appreciative. Like he enjoyed watching her work. "You fought three lions alone I’m assuming based on the mix scents on you?"
"They started it."
"I'm sure they did." Despite everything, her mouth twitched. "Did you at least win?"
"I'm here. They're still in that cabin nursing broken ribs." He sipped his coffee, gaze never leaving her face. "I fight better when I'm protecting something that matters."
"Don't," she said quietly.
"Don't what?"
"Just don’t." She forced herself to meet his eyes. "We're working together to stop Hector. That's all this is."
"If you say so." But he smiled, small and knowing. "Though for the record, you're the one who keeps looking at me when you think I'm not paying attention."
Heat flooded her cheeks. "I'm not?—"
"You are." He leaned forward, candlelight catching in his golden hair. "You looked three times in the last hour. Once when I was reading the supplier manifest. Once when I poured coffee. Once just now when you thought I was focused on timelines."
"Arrogant."
"Observant." His voice dropped lower. "And fair's fair. I've been watching you too. The way you bite your lip when you're thinking. The way your nose wrinkles when you find something that pisses you off. The way you move like you own every inch of space you're in."
"Stop." But her voice came out breathless instead of firm.
