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"Until I know she's safe."

"One week, then we review it together."

I hate the word together because it makes this sound negotiable. Maybe it needs to be.

"Fine."

Her shoulders lower slightly.

"Your apartment stays watched," I say.

"Fine, but nobody enters without my permission."

"Unless there's an immediate threat."

She thinks about that, then nods. "Immediate threat. Not Adrianos thinks my filing system is vulnerable."

"Your filing system is appalling."

"That's because humans use it."

I almost smile. Almost.

"Your files stay here."

"Copies stay here. Originals go wherever I decide."

"Elena."

"Compromise. Try not to break out in hives."

I stare at her. She's giving me ground. I realize, with some irritation, that means I have to give her some too, so I pick up my phone. Her eyes follow it.

I call downstairs.

"Ms. Markides is free to come and go as she chooses. No one prevents her from leaving, and no one changes her destination without her agreement."

Elena's gaze stays on mine.

I continue, "But someone goes with her."

Her eyebrow rises.

"One close protection officer and the driver."

She opens her mouth, but I lift a hand.

"That's the agreement."

She studies me for a long moment. Then nods.

"Fine."

I end the call. No victory. No surrender. Something stranger.

A boundary drawn by both of us.

Elena reaches for the empty file box on my desk, then pauses. "For the record, I'm still furious."