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"We've already had this argument."

"This isn't an argument."

"It became one when you said something ridiculous."

I step toward her. "Someone breached my penthouse using legitimate credentials."

"I noticed."

"They knew security protocols I changed tonight. They knew how to isolate you from me inside the most secure place I control."

"And your brilliant solution is to put me on a plane and hope OB6 doesn't understand airports?"

"Another city."

"No."

"Another country if necessary."

"Still no."

"You almost died."

The words tear out of me louder than I intend, and the room goes silent. Evander looks at the others and motions toward the door. Within seconds, we're alone.

Elena doesn't flinch. "But I didn't die."

"That isn't the point."

"It's exactly the point."

"I walked into that bedroom and saw you on the floor."

My voice drops because suddenly I'm not looking at Elena anymore. I'm seeing graves. Faces. People I loved reduced to names carved into stone.

"I buried my son."

Elena goes still.

I don't say Nikos's name. I don't have to.

"I buried him before he had the chance to become the man he was supposed to be. Then my parents. Then a woman I loved. Every time, I thought there couldn't possibly be enough left in me for another death to matter that much."

My throat tightens, but I force myself to continue.

"I was wrong."

"Adrianos..."

"No."

She starts toward me, but I step back.

"You don't understand what you're asking me to risk."

"I understand exactly what I'm risking."

"I cannot bury you."