Rook noticed too.
Something unreadable moved across his expression before he looked back at me.
“Mercer won’t stop now.”
“I know.”
“He’ll escalate.”
“I know.”
“He’ll come at her through you.”
That one landed.
Because he was right.
Mercer understood exactly where to cut.
Rook stepped closer then.
Not threatening.
But close enough I understood this wasn’t casual anymore.
“He’s going to force you into making a mistake.”
I held his gaze evenly. “Then I’ll kill him before he gets the chance.”
The room went still again.
Not because of what I said.
Because everybody believed me.
Rook studied me for one long second.
Then—
unexpectedly—
he gave a slight nod.
Approval.
Warrior to warrior.
“Good,” he said quietly. “Because that’s exactly what I was hoping you’d say.”
A sharp knock suddenly hit the back door.
Every weapon in the room came up instantly.
Flick gasped softly beside me.
Trigger moved first, sliding toward the kitchen wall.
Wolf killed the lights.
