Finn recovered his composure and clapped Magnus on the back with surprising gentleness for a man who usually treated everyone like they were made of iron. “Good to have you. Let’s take it slow. We’ll start with basic surveillance, see how you handle it.”
“Alright.”
Magnus’s words held a fragility that made Viggo’s chest ache and filled him with fresh determination. Though Renwick’s death had made up in part for what Magnus had endured, the real culprit was still out there.
He focused on the map once more. “Right. The operation. Finn, you’ll have three of our best watchers?—”
“Four,” Solomon interrupted.
They turned to look at him, Viggo the most surprised of everyone.
“Four watchers,” Solomon repeated, crossing his arms. “I’m going with Finn.”
Viggo’s eyebrows rose. “You said you wanted to come to Europe if Winterbourne got approval from the Ministry. In fact, you threatened to stow away aboard the train and ship to Europe.”
Solomon’s expression remained carefully blank. “Liverpool needs more bodies. And you’ll have enough people watching your back in Europe. Not that you need your back watching.”
“Solomon—”
Solomon’s voice hardened. “It’s not up for debate, Viggo.”
Viggo frowned. Something was off. Solomon had been insisting for days that he wanted to go to Europe, had practically demanded to be included despite still recovering from the injuries he’d sustained during the Institute raid.
He narrowed his eyes. “This is about Lady Hartley.”
A muscle twitched in Solomon’s jaw. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do.” Viggo sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “She’ll most likely be part of the European investigation if Evander has his way. You were planning to come. Now you’re suddenly backing out?”
“The Liverpool operation is important?—“
“The Liverpool operation will be fine with Finn, Magnus, and our regulars.” Viggo pinned his friend with a sharp stare.
Solomon was silent for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was low. “She’s a noble, Viggo. I’m a thrall. What exactly do you think is going to happen if we spend weeks travelling across Europe together?”
“The same thing that’s been happening between Evander and me for months?” Viggo suggested drily.
“That’s different. You’re—“ Solomon stopped, shaking his head. “Never mind. The point is, it’s not wise. Better to end it now before it becomes complicated.”
“Bit late for that, I reckon,” Finn muttered.
Solomon shot him a glare.
Viggo studied his friend’s stubborn expression and recognised the fear beneath it. He’d felt the same thing himself, in the early days with Evander—the certainty that what they had couldn’t possibly last, that the gulf between their worlds was too vast to bridge.
“You’re scared,” Viggo said quietly.
“I’m being practical.”
“You’re being a coward.”
Solomon’s eyes flashed. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Viggo pushed off from the table and crossed over to the thrall. “I know that look, Solomon. I’ve worn it myself. You think if you run now, it’ll hurt less than when she inevitably leaves you for someone more suitable.”
“Shewillleave me,” Solomon said flatly. “That’s how this works.”
“Maybe. Or maybe she won’t.” Viggo gripped Solomon’s shoulder. “But you’ll never know if you don’t take the chance.”
