Matthias sinks back, tension vibrating off him.
“I’m not sure who it was,” I say quietly. “But Christian was parroting. Being fed lines. Being directed.”
Vas exhales. “We need to check who Elias was talking to leading up to his death.”
Matthias nods. “I’ll have Mark run the phone logs.” He narrows his eyes at my friend. “Quietly.”
We’re collaborating. Almost. If you squint hard enough.
“So,” I say, clearing my throat. “Are you in? Or should I call Christian and tell him you’re too scared to come out and play?”
The twins howl with laughter. Matthias levels me with a look so lethal I swear the temperature drops.
“You have no idea how close you come to death when you talk like that.”
“I’m still standing,” I point out. “So maybe you’re not as dangerous as you think.”
A slow smile curves his mouth. Not kind. Not warn. But undeniably entertained.
“There she is,” he murmurs.
My pulse skitters.
I hate him. I hate how I react to him so easily. Even worse, I hate how he knows I react to him.
Liam cuts in before the air combusts. “Wednesday night. We hit the convoy. Your men flank the east. Mine handle the west. Ava will be point for intel.”
Matthias shakes his head. “She won’t be involved.”
“Yes,” I say at the same time Liam does. “I will.”
“You are not stepping foot near that convoy,” he growls.
“Try to stop me,” I retort hotly.
“Ava,” he warns.
“Matthias,” I mimic, dripping sarcasm.
His eyes blaze. “I don’t take orders from you.”
“Funny,” I say sweetly. “because you’re in my operation.”
That shut the entire table up. Everyone is suspiciously quiet.
Matthias stares at me, long and hard, jaw working. I swear a muscle jumps in his cheek.
Finally, he exhales through his nose, slow and furious, like a parent dealing with a toddler.
“Fine,” he mutters. “But if you disobey one order—one—I drag you home myself.”
“Home,” I echo, pulse. “This isn’t your home. And I’m not yours. You proved that when you left me to rot in the stables with Christian.”
His eyes darken. Dangerous. Possessive. Infuriated.
“The marriage certificate you signed says differently.”
Oh, hell no.
