My vision narrows.
Loora takes one look at my face and stops chewing. Martin begins with too many words. “So, as you see, the concern is not necessarily fatal to the campaign, but the optics are, well, complex, and the source has indicated—”
“Who sent the anonymous tip?” I ask, unable to keep the fury out of my voice.
Legal shifts. “We do not have confirmation.”
“Todd Childs,” Loora says.
Everyone looks at her. She lifts both hands. “What? We’re all thinking it. He’s been rage-emailing anyone with a companyaddress since he got fired, and subtlety has never been his brand.”
I touch the console. Todd’s employee record appears above the table.
Legal sits straighter. “Sir, we should be careful about—”
“Find his location,” I say.
Loora’s eyes widen. “Okay, no.”
I look at her. Most humans look away when I do that. Loora does not. Interesting woman. Also inconvenient. “No?” I ask.
“No,” she repeats, not backing down. No wonder she and my mate are such good friends. “You do not get to go full alien mafia because Todd threw a tantrum.”
“He threatened Beatrice’s name.”
“He threatened her credibility,” Loora snaps. “And if you stomp in with money and lawyers and whatever that face is, you prove him right.”
The room holds still. My teeth ache. Not for Beatrice this time. For violence. “He attacked my mate,” I say.
Loora leans forward, dark eyes, and reckless human loyalty. “Yes. He did. So letherhit back where it counts.”
Let her.
I dislike how those words keep finding me. Let her leave. Let her sit on the floor. Let her decide when to call. Let her hit back.
Layn princes are not raised onlet.
Let is passive. Weak.Human. And yet Beatrice’s face rises in my mind, fierce and exhausted and beautiful as she said, You cannot decide my life for me.
My hands curl against the table. “What would you suggest?” Loora blinks. Clearly, she did not expect me to ask. Neither did I.
“Bee needs to talk to MacArthur herself,” she says after a moment. “Full disclosure. Real safeguards. Outside review. The story has to survive without your thumb on the scale.”
“My thumb has not touched the scale.” Every person at the table looks at me. I narrow my eyes. “On this matter.”
Loora makes a sound. “Progress.”
“I can destroy Todd separately.” Loora gives me a look. “Quietly.” She shakes her head. “Legally.”
“Still no,” she says.
Legal raises a tentative hand. “Legally may remain an option later.”
Loora points at him. “Not helping.”
I stand, and the room stiffens. “I want Todd’s location.”
“Skylor,” she says. The use of my name surprises me enough that I pause.
