"Exactly. So let's think tactically. Option one: I go to your team. Stillwater sees this, knows you're operational and hunting them. They either grab me for leverage or hit your entire team to flush you out."
Griff's expression darkened but he didn't interrupt.
"Option two: I try to disappear alone. How long do I last? A day? Two? I'm a forensic accountant, not Jason Bourne."
"Option three," Griff said evenly, "I get you into witness protection?—"
"Through what agency? The FBI that sent me here to die? The Marshal Service that might also be compromised?" Sarah shook her head. "You said it yourself—we don't know how deep this goes."
She saw him running scenarios, working through possibilities. Time to close the deal.
"Or option four," she said quietly. "We stay dark together. Two people they don't expect to be working as a team. You need what's in my head—the financial trails, the patterns I'vefound. I need your tactical expertise to stay alive long enough to use it."
"You're a civilian."
"I'm a federal agent with the highest clearance levels for financial intelligence." She met his stare steadily. "I've already proven I can handle myself under pressure."
"That's not?—"
She played her last card. "You've been alone for months, carrying this. Tank's death, the conspiracy, all of it. Maybe you need someone who expects you to live through this, not die for it."
That landed. She saw it in the way his shoulders tensed.
"You don't understand what you're signing up for," he said, but the argument had lost its edge.
"Then explain it to me. Make me understand." She stepped closer, ignoring her ankle's protest. "But don't make decisions for me. Not about my own life."
The silence stretched between them. Sarah could see him weighing options, calculating risks. Finally, his shoulders dropped a fraction.
"If you stay, we do this my way on anything tactical."
"And my way on anything financial."
"You follow orders when it's about survival."
"And you follow my lead when it's about the money trail."
He studied her for a long moment. "You realize what you're choosing? No contact with anyone. No safety net. No calling for help if things go wrong."
"Things have already gone wrong." Sarah touched her cross pendant, drawing strength from it. "My life as I knew it ended the moment that SUV rolled up to my door. At least this way, I get to fight back."
Another long silence. Then Griff nodded slowly.
"Partners?" She extended her hand.
He looked at her hand, then at her face. "You're going to be a problem, aren't you?"
"Absolutely."
The ghost of a smile crossed his face as he shook her hand.
"Speaking of problems," Sarah said, still squeezing his hand. "We need to discuss you making unilateral decisions. Like throwing away my phone without telling me."
"That phone was?—"
"A liability. Agreed. But next time we discuss it first."
He raised an eyebrow. "You're already making demands?"
