She eased out of his arms reluctantly and stepped away from him. “Tell me you will not go meet with the earl tomorrow.”
His hesitation warned her of his response and her body grew taut, prepared to battle.
“I must take the chance, even if it is a slim one, and meet with the earl.”
“And if I command you not to do this?” she asked with an ache in her heart, for she feared she knew the answer.
Burke shook his head. “You know I must do this. You know you would do the same in my place.”
“I’m not in your place. I lead this group, so the decisions are mine.”
“That’s right. The decisions are yours, which means you can respect my choice, even though you disagree, and allow me this.”
He had replied with respect to her position and asked the same of her. He could have simply told her he’d do what he wanted but he hadn’t. He left the decision to her as to whether this would cause a problem.
“I think you’re making a mistake, but—” She stared at him, concern for his safety welling up inside her and squeezing at her heart. “It is your mistake to make.”
“That’s encouraging,” he said.
“I should encourage you to be a fool?”
“I have no other choice,” he argued.
“Perhaps there is.”
“I don’t agree and neither do the others,” Tanin said sharply, causing them both to turn and face him.
“What’s going on?” Burke asked, looking from one to the other.
“Tell him,” Tanin said accusingly.
“It could work but plans would need to be strictly adhered to,” Storm said calmly.
Tanin shook his head. “She wants to attempt to rescue Cullen from Weighton.”
Burke looked to Storm. “I thought you said Weighton was impregnable?”
“It is,” Tanin said.
“It might not be,” Storm advised, and both men shot wide eyes at her.
“How so?” Burke asked.
“I have an idea that might work, but I need to give it more thought before sharing it with you.”
“I don’t like it,” Tanin said.
“It may not matter one way or the other,” Burke said. “If the earl accepts my proposal, then this is a moot point. I don’t think we should worry about it until then.”
“She won’t stop thinking about it,” Tanin argued, pointing to Storm.
“It may be necessary for me to think about it. If I don’t, valuable time can be lost and a man’s life may be forfeited. I prefer being prepared just in case.”
“It’s unthinkable,” Tanin warned. “There’s no way it can be done. It’s certain death.”
“For Cullen,” Storm confirmed.
Burke stepped between the pair. “At the moment it is merely a consideration that tomorrow may prove nothing. There’s no point in arguing over something that may never see fruition.”
