Page 37 of The Hunter's Empire

Domenico glances at the hand before shaking it once. "Domenico Valenti."

Sebastian releases his grip first. "As I said, anything involving Zora concerns me as well."

Domenico’s expression remains unreadable. "Does it?"

The room goes very still.

Sebastian’s gaze hardens almost imperceptibly. "We are partners."

"That explains the ring." Domenico says mildly.

The response is smooth enough to sound harmless. It isnotharmless.

I cut in before the conversation sharpens further.

"This discussion is operationally sensitive." I say evenly. "And I would prefer to keep it limited."

Sebastian looks at me instead of Domenico. "You are asking me to leave?"

"I am asking you to trust my judgment."

I know Sebastian hates being dismissed publicly. Especially in front of another man. Especially in front of someone like Domenico.

But eventually, he exhales quietly through his nose and nods once. "Fine."

He steps closer to me before leaving, one hand resting briefly against the back of my chair. The gesture appears affectionate to anyone watching. Possessive to anyone paying attention.

"I am trying to protect you, Zora." He says quietly.

I hold his gaze steadily. "I know."

His eyes linger on mine for another second before shifting briefly toward Domenico. Then he leaves.

The door closes softly behind him.

For a moment, nobody in the room speaks. The tension Sebastian leaves behind hangs heavily over the conference table, thick enough that even the analysts pretending not to notice finally give up the act. One by one, they begin quietly gathering files and shutting down screens.

Erin glances between me and Domenico once before closing her tablet against her chest.

"We’ll finalize the remaining reports later." She says carefully.

I nod without looking away from the table. "Send everything encrypted."

Within minutes, the room empties completely. The last monitor dims to black except for mine. The heavy office doors shut softly behind the final staff member, leaving only Domenico and me alone in the silence.

Then, finally…

"Protective." Domenico says lazily.

I gather a few loose documents into a stack without looking at him. "Do not start."

"I did not say anything negative."

"You were about to."

A faint smirk appears on his mouth. The fact that I can already predict his reactions bothers me more than it should.

Domenico walks farther inside and stops near the edge of the conference table. His attention shifts immediately to the screens in front of me still displaying the Keegan intelligence.