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“Quietly?” Rook snorted. “That’s one word for it.”

Leo absorbed the implications, his mind already racing through scenarios. A system like that in the wrong hands...Christ.

“Burke wants proof of Whitehall’s commitment before he’ll discuss terms. He’s demanding a face-to-face with a British government representative.”

“We don’t work with others.” Leo kept his tone even.

Rook held up a hand, amusement playing along the lines of his mouth despite the tension. “We will, but it’ll cost extra.” His jaw worked as he added, “Consider it ourplaying nice with others’fee.”

“Our primary concern is containment.” Tucker’s voice steadied, but the pulse jumping in his throat betrayed him. “This cannot leave this room.”

A phone’s shrill ring screeched.

Tucker snatched it up, his shoulders rigid as he listened. He put the phone down. “The British government representative is here. She’s on her way up?—”

“She?” The word hit Leo like a bucket of freezing water. “You’re sending in a woman?”

“Yes. Agent Landon from MI6?—”

“No.” Leo shook his head as he folded his arms across his chest. “Absolutely not. We’re not putting a woman at risk.”

“Agent Landon is highly qualified?—”

“Did I stutter?” Ice edged Leo’s words.

Rook’s grip clamped onto his elbow, yanking him away from the others. “Leo.” His voice dropped low. “I know where this is coming from. But we’re here now, and this is happening.”

Leo hissed a curse through clenched teeth.

“You good?” Rook’s grip hardened.

“Yeah.”

“Good.” Rook squeezed his shoulder once before turning back to the room. “Just a misunderstanding. We’re green.”

Leo exhaled. His past pressed against his skull like a vise.Fuck. The office door swung open and despite years of training, his blood pressure spiked.

He forced a slow breath as she entered.

The tactical gear couldn’t disguise her athletic frame or the precision of her movements. Dark russet hair secured in a practical ponytail, but it was her eyes that stopped him—gray-blue and arresting. The kind that catalogued everything and gave nothing away.

Those eyes met his, held him for a beat longer than necessary, before she gave him a curt nod. All business. No hint of uncertainty or hesitation. It should have reassured him. Instead, his gut twisted tighter. Professional or not, they were about to send a woman into the fire.

Lund stepped forward. “Katerina Landon. Welcome. I’m Alex Lund. Thank you for coming at such short notice.”

Her half-smile held no warmth. “Just Kat is fine, and I’m not sure I was given much choice.”

“Yes, well…” Lund moved on. “This is Joseph Tucker, our CEO. And these gentlemen are James Rook and Leo Bychkov.”

She eyed Rook and Leo, her blue-gray gaze clinical. “Mercs?”

“Specialized consultants in crisis management. Less paperwork that way.” Rook flashed her his winning smile that sent an inexplicable spear of jealousy into Leo’s gut.

“You’ve been briefed?” Leo asked, noting how she shifted her weight—the subtle readiness. She shook his hand, her grip firm. No waver. This was a woman who could look after herself.

“On the way here,”she confirmed.

“So you are aware?” Lund arched one straggly brow. “Your role is to convince Burke that His Majesty’s government will negotiate. Buy us time to get the extraction team in place, secure the hostages and theNightwatchman.”