“Intent and impact aren’t always the same thing, precious.” The admission is rough, almost reluctant. “I’m sorry that canceling the job made it look like I was abusing your vulnerability. But I’m not sorry I canceled it. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
His resolve hangs in the air.
“And I wouldn’t debate that call,” he adds softly. “Because when it comes to operational risk, that decision sits with me.”
Pain twists in my gut. “What if I’m not okay with that?”
Softness flickers beneath the steel of Rowan’s expression. “Then you don’t take those jobs under my command.”
A band tightens around my chest.
“You can take contracts elsewhere. You can run your own jobs. I won’t stop you.” His shoulders tense. “But when you step onto a job under my control, you accept that I’m responsible for the outcome. For everyone.”
The finality of the words cuts deeper than anger ever could.
This is the moment when I have to decide how deep I want to entrench myself in Rowan’s life. I could still have him, still be in his bed, while taking contracts where I want and answer to no one. He’s offering me the choice. But it would mean cutting myself out of part of his life. There would always be pieces of him out of my reach, and I can’t be with him and live without having all of him.
Rowan lets out a long sigh and walks behind the bar, as if he needs the physical barrier. “I will admit deleting the files before I told you the job was off was a bad call. I should have spoken to you first instead of letting you find out on your own.”
A concession, not an apology, but it’s more than I expected after he laid down the law.
“Orien said the job is still going forward, but you’re splitting the teams, which means it’s riskier.” I straighten, spine locking into place, the uncertainty settling. “Wecan still go with the original plan. The shift rotation will mean we go in during the changing of the guard. We use the confusion of handover to our advantage.”
Rowan studies me, his gaze traveling from my face down to my steady hands and back up. “You’ve already figured out a new way in.”
“Of course I have.” My challenge is evident. “It’s what you hired me for.”
The corner of his mouth twitches, and he turns to pour more whiskey into his glass. “Itwouldgo smoother with you on board.”
Hope blooms. “So?”
He considers me for a long moment. “I’ll reinstate the original plan, with your revisions.”
Victory shoots through me, but I understand Rowan well enough to hear the unspoken condition. “But?”
“But we establish new parameters.” He props his elbows on the bar and leans forward. “If I question your condition in the future, it doesn’t mean I’m trying to control you. It means I have legitimate concerns that deserve consideration.”
My first instinct is to refuse any conditions, to demand complete reinstatement without strings. But the past week of separation has worn on me and Lenaand the fragile peace we’d begun to build. Pride is cold comfort in an empty bed.
“And if I disagree with your assessment?” Caution tempers my words.
“Then we discuss it, but in the end, the decision is mine to make.” Rowan straightens and comes back around the bar, though he stops short of invading my space. “And you don’t walk away. You don’t threaten to disappear every time we disagree. That’s not a partnership.”
The word “partnership” holds meaning beyond business.
“I can’t promise I won’t walk away if you make a unilateral decision about my life.” My hands curl into fists at my sides. “That’s my boundary.”
Rowan holds my stare, and after a long moment, he inclines his head. “Fair enough.”
He extends his hand in a formal gesture. “The Harmon job is reinstated. We plan it together, execute it together. Team decision on whether you’re fit for field work.”
I study his hand, the familiar calluses and scars, the strength capable of crushing bones that only ever held me with care. This isn’t a surrender on either side. It’s a negotiation.
My hand meets his, our fingers clasping in agreement. “Deal.”
With the Harmon job settled, at least for now, the weight of another unspoken issue needs to be addressed.
I drag my finger across the polished wood of the bar, tracing invisible patterns as I work up the courage to broach the subject that cuts closer to the bone than any business disagreement.
