Rev opens her mouth to argue, then closes it.
She knows he's right. We all do.
"Agreed." Aleksandr steeples his fingers. "She needs to be somewhere separate. Somewhere they won't think to look, or won’t have enough balls to fuck with her at. Somewhere with enough distance that any move against her would require significant resources and planning."
"What about Tallahassee?" The suggestion comes from the doorway, and I realize with a start that RJ has spoken.
His voice is flat, professional.
He still isn't looking at me. "She has her own family connections there. It's close enough to Jacksonville for support if needed, but separate from Doran's operations. And it's in the States, which puts distance between her and the Krajncs."
Greer tilts her head, considering. "Can you work remotely, Dalla?"
"I—yes. I've done it before. Tallahassee, New York, London—as long as I have my equipment, I can work from anywhere."
"Then it's settled." Doran pushes off the mantel again, pacing. "Tallahassee. We'll set her up in a secure location. Full security detail."
"I'll go." RJ again. This time, everyone turns to look at him.
"I'm already assigned to her protection," he continues, his tone unchanged. "Makes sense for me to stay on. I know her patterns. Her habits. And after today..."
He trails off. His jaw tightens. "After today, I'm not trusting her safety to anyone else."
The room goes quiet. I feel Rev's eyes on me, curious and knowing.
I feel Greer's gaze, sharp and assessing.
I feel the weight of everything unspoken pressing down on my chest.
"Da can spare me for however long this takes," RJ adds. "The Dublin situation is stable. She's the priority now."
Aleksandr and Greer exchange one of their silent conversations.
Then Aleksandr nods. "Fine. RJ will accompany Dalla to Tallahassee and remain as her primary protection until the threat is neutralized." His pale eyes find mine. "You'll check in daily. Any concerns, any irregularities, you report them immediately. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Good." Greer rises, smoothing her skirt. "I'll have my assistant arrange the details. You'll leave tonight."
Tonight.
In a matter of hours, I'll be on a plane to Florida.
Alone with RJ.
I look at him without meaning to, and this time—just for a second—his eyes meet mine.
The impact is electric.
A jolt that runs from my chest to my stomach to somewhere lower.
He looks away almost immediately, his expression shuttered, but I saw it.
That flicker of something beneath the ice.
He's not as unaffected as he wants everyone to believe.
Rev finds me in my guest room an hour later, throwing clothes into a suitcase with more force than necessary.
