Page 73 of Redline Communion

“Do what?”

“Pretend you suddenly care about the line because you discovered somebody crossed it without filing the paperwork through you first.”

My expression stays still, but inside it something turns.

“This isn’t about paperwork.”

Talia laughs once without humor. “Everything is paperwork with you.”

“That’s convenient.”

“So is acting surprised.”

I take another step toward her. “You were not instructed to facilitate drug use.”

“No.”

“Then why did you?”

“She wanted it.”

“That has never been enough reason for you before.”

The words leave before I consider everything they contain.

Talia goes quiet, and the room changes with her. I hear the sentence again with better ears, and so does she.

“Well,” she says softly. “There he is.”

I don’t answer.

“You hired me to manipulate Ash because you wanted him easier to move around.”

“That isn’t the same.”

“You paid me to become somebody he trusted.”

“That was the arrangement.”

“And now you’re asking why I let Lorelei make a decision you don’t like.”

“She is spiraling.”

“Probably.”

“You say that like it doesn’t matter.”

“It matters.”

“Then stop.”

Her face hardens.

“No.”

The refusal is clean, and I am not accustomed to hearing it from her without qualification.

“Talia.”