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"Then stop treating me like one."

"If you were one of my men, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Why? Would you shoot me?"

"I'd expect you to follow instructions."

Her laugh is sharp. "There it is again. Instructions."

"Security."

"Control."

"Survival."

"My survival is not exclusively your responsibility."

The words hit harder than they should, but I keep my face still.

"It is while you're involved in this."

"Why?"

"Because I brought you into it."

"No, Kalliopi brought me into it when she died. Petros brought me deeper when he died. Whoever tried to turn me into decorative pavement yesterday certainly contributed. You are not the center of every decision I make."

"Careful."

Her chin lifts. "Was that a threat?"

"No."

"Good, because I'm already angry, and I would hate to become unpleasant."

Despite myself, I almost laugh.

She catches it.

"Do not."

"I'm not doing anything."

"Your face moved."

"My condolences."

She steps closer. "You hired an accountant. You did not acquire a houseplant."

"I've never wanted a houseplant."

"That's what you took from that sentence?"

"They're difficult to keep alive."

Her mouth falls open. For half a second, neither of us says a word.

Then she points at me. "That. Exactly that."