Page 160 of Axis of Fire

“I already told you I have my secrets,” I muttered, biting my lip and looking away.

“And I've already told you that keeping secrets isn't the problem.”

His voice dropped lower.

Colder.

“The problem is that you disappeared in the middle of the night with no protection.”

I froze.

Because that wasn't what we'd been arguing about.

Or at least, I hadn't thought it was.

“You went to a location connected to an active investigation.”

His jaw tightened.

“Without informing me.”

“I wasn't alone.”

“You were with one civilian.”

The way he said civilian made Gwen sound like she'd brought a spoon to a battlefield.

“I can take care of myself.”

“Can you?”

The question landed harder than I expected.

The room fell silent.

“I found you drugged and strapped to a hospital bed four days ago, Fireling.”

His eyes locked onto mine.

“And yesterday someone painted your parents' backyard with blood.”

Another step.

Another crack in my certainty.

“So no.”

His voice was frighteningly calm.

“I don't think you can take care of yourself.”

A pause.

“Not yet.”

“Airis, I really don't want to talk about it,” I said quietly, silently praying he wouldn't push any further.

“If I hadn't gone there tonight, nobody would've found out those people were trying to frame Moss.”