“It isn’t.” Ross’s voice softened. “It could be someone spoofing his access. It could be someone trying to paint a target on him. Or it could be coincidence. But we can’t rule him out, not until the pattern breaks.”
Marshall swallowed hard, the room narrowing for a beat. “And Summit?”
“Nothing’s leaked there,” Ross said firmly. “Not yet. Whatever’s happening with Summit, it’s clean from our end. But the closer we get to the Syndicate, the more likely it is that the mole—whoever it is—will get wind of it. And if they realize Norahis the key?” His eyes locked on Marshall’s. “That’s when this becomes catastrophic.”
Marshall closed his eyes for a second, just enough to center the spike of emotion so it wouldn’t explode sideways.His brother. His team. His woman in danger. And now this.
Ross watched him. “I’m telling you because you deserve to know. And because you’re the one person who won’t ignore the possibility or abuse it.”
Marshall nodded, slow and controlled. “I’ll clear him. One way or another.”
“I expect you will.” Ross leaned back, studying him again with that layered, almost fatherly scrutiny. “Now. Summit.”
Marshall shifted, grateful for the change of topic even if it wasn’t any easier. “Norah pulled new files. Plus, she got us a backdoor for Joey.”
Ross whistled softly. “That woman’s got guts.”
“She’s got integrity,” Marshall corrected. More sharply than he intended. “And she’s not backing off.”
Ross’s brow lifted. “And how do you feel about that?”
Marshall didn’t answer.
Ross smiled—just barely—like he’d expected the silence. “Let me tell you something, son. I married a woman who sees every crack in the foundation before I do. Strong. Stubborn. Loyal to a fault.” His smile deepened. “Your problem isn’t that Norah’s digging. It’s that you finally met someone who won’t let you control every detail.”
Marshall stared at the table’s worn grain. The truth sat heavier than the untouched whiskey between them. “She’s going to get hurt.”
“Maybe. But she’s also going to expose a lot of corruption.” Ross folded his arms. “The job isn’t to stop her from being brave. It’s to make sure bravery doesn’t get her killed. I tried to hold Andi back when we were working Coulter’s election detail. Notonly did it almost cost me a future with her, it almost got me killed.”
Marshall’s throat tightened—not with fear, but with the weight of love he still wasn’t ready to name aloud.
Ross continued. “We saw chatter today between Citadel and Morris. Summit’s ‘problem’ might need to be ‘cleaned up’ if it doesn’t stop.” His tone dropped to a gravity that hit bone. “They’re talking about Norah, Marshall.”
He already knew that. It still hit like a blow.
Ross added, quietly, “If you need to pull her out, I’ll back the call.”
He shook his head. “She won’t leave.”
“You tried?”
“She thinks no one’s watching her,” he said. “She thinks she’s fine.”
“Then we’ll make sure she’s fine.”
Marshall nodded, his throat thick with emotion. He trusted Ross’s word. And if Ross promised that the entirety of Black Tower had Norah’s back? She’d be okay.
“She’s headed back home for the weekend. My sister’s wedding.”
Ross huffed a quiet, knowing sound. “Convenient timing,” he said. “Almost like the universe is giving you a clean excuse to be in the right place.”
Marshall managed a faint smile. “Yeah. Convenient.”
He thought getting out of DC for a bit was a great idea. Spending the weekend trapped in wedding festivities with Norah tempting him to cross lines he shouldn’t? Not so much.
“Go. Get out of town and keep an eye on your girl. You might even think about dancing with her.”
Marshall felt his eyes widen and Ross laughed. “Oh man. You’re toast.”
