Silence fell heavy between them, a sharp contrast to the peaceful marsh outside. She blew out another breath. “I am not pretending,” she replied. “I’m preparing.”
“You’re escalating.”
“So is he.”
He took another step closer. “You’re not bulletproof.”
“I never claimed to be.”
“Then act like it.” Her temper flared.
“I refuse to sit here while someone manipulates the narrative. That’s exactly what he’s counting on.”
His voice dropped. “And I refuse to watch you walk into something without backup.”
She crossed her arms. “Come on.” She smiled. “You’re my backup. We both know it.”
Her words made him go very still. “That’s not fair.”
“I know,” she said without backing down. “But you can’t wrap me in caution tape every time I get close to something.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “You think this is about ego?”
“No.”
“Then what is it?”
Her face softened. “It’s about fear.”
His gaze snapped back to hers.
“You’re afraid I’ll get hurt.”
“Yes.”
The admission disarmed her. “And I’m afraid if I stop digging, he wins.”
He paused as he looked at the screen again. “You think he staged it.”
“I think he coordinated it.”
He considered. “He wouldn’t light the match himself.”
“No, he’d hire someone who would.”
“Driscoll.”
“Yes.”
Wyatt exhaled slowly. “If he’s smart, he’ll assume you’re connecting this.”
“I am.”
“And that makes you a problem.”
“I already am.”
He stared at her before stepping closer again as he extended his hand to touch her arm. “You don’t move alone.” He held her gaze until she agreed.
