"Deal." She steps into my arms, and I hold her tight enough to feel her heartbeat against my chest. "Thank you for not trying to lock me up."
"Don't thank me yet. You might hate how overprotective I'm about to become."
"I can handle overprotective. It's controlling I can't deal with."
"I'll try to remember the difference." I kiss the top of her head. "Come on. We need to get back before Vulture sends someone to check on us."
We return to the common room where the meeting's continued without us. Agent Monroe's showing the brothers photos of Castellano's cell, walking through the timeline of his death.
"The guards on duty that night are being questioned, but so far their stories check out. No unauthorized access, no security breaches that we can detect." She pulls up another image. "But here's what's interesting. Castellano received a visitor two days before his death. A lawyer claiming to represent potential business interests."
"Let me guess," Robert says. "The lawyer doesn't exist."
"Oh, he exists, but his practice is a shell. He has no clients we can verify, no cases on record. He's a front for something." Agent Monroe's expression is grim. "We're tracing his connections, but whoever set this up knew how to cover their tracks."
"What about the girls?" Ava asks suddenly. "The ones who were rescued, are they safe?"
"They're in protective custody at various locations. We've increased security, but so far there's been no indication anyone's targeting them." Agent Monroe looks at her. "You're the more visible threat, Ms. Langley. Your article, your interviews, they made you the face of this investigation. If the Collector wants to send a message, you're the obvious target."
"So I'm bait."
"You're a witness who needs protection." Agent Monroe's tone is firm. "But if you're willing, we could use you to draw out the threat, in a controlled environment, heavy security, see if anyone makes a move."
"Absolutely fucking not," I say before Ava can respond. "You're not using her as bait."
"It might be the fastest way to identify the Collector," Agent Monroe argues. "And Ms. Langley would be protected every step of the way."
"No." Vulture’s voice cuts through the room. "Ice Pick's right. We're not putting her in the line of fire deliberately, find another way."
Agent Monroe looks like she wants to argue, but something in Vulture’s expression stops her. "Alright. We'll pursue other leads, but Ms. Langley, if you change your mind, the offer stands."
"I won't," Ava says, and I feel relief flooding through me. "I've had enough of being a target."
The meeting breaks up with Agent Monroe promising to keep us updated on the investigation. Brothers disperse to their usual activities, but the atmosphere's changed. Everyone's on edge, hyper-aware that the threat's not over.
"She'll need a room," Vulture says, approaching us. "We can't have her staying in yours indefinitely. Club whores are already gossiping."
"Let them gossip," I say, but he's right. Ava living in my room full-time sends a message I'm not sure either of us is ready for. "Fine. Give her the room next to mine. But I'm keeping watch."
"Didn't expect otherwise." Vulture looks at Ava. "You're welcome here as long as you need, but understand that this is our world now. Our rules, our way of doing things. You've got a problem with how we operate, you bring it to me or Ice Pick. Clear?"
"Crystal." Ava meets his eyes without flinching. "And thank you for keeping me safe."
"Thank Ice Pick. He's the one who's putting his ass on the line for you."
After Vulture leaves, I guide Ava back upstairs to what'll be her room. It's sparse but functional, better than some of the accommodations we've got.
"This okay?" I ask, watching her take in the space.
"It's fine, better than fine." She turns to me. "Mason, I'm sorry for arguing earlier. I know you're just trying to protect me."
"And I'm sorry for being controlling. You're right that you get a say in your own life." I cross to her, pulling her close. "But you need to understand something. Losing you isn't an option. Not after everything we've been through."
"You're not going to lose me." Her arms wrap around my waist. "But we need to find a balance between safety and living. Otherwise, the Collector wins without even making a move."
She's right. Keeping her locked away might keep her breathing, but it'll kill the parts of her that make her who she is. The fire, the determination, the need to chase truth no matter the cost.
"We'll figure it out," I promise. "Together."
