Page 86 of Forbidden Empire

“Exactly.” Ares nodded, a faint smirk on his face. “Nothing. That’s why it’s perfect for her and her minions to lay low.”

I darted over to the table, where we’d laid out a mess of state maps.

“I know it.” My finger traced the lines on the map. “There’s what. There are fewer than three hundred people in Blue Diamond. Only a few buildings. It shouldn’t be hard to find her.”

“We’ve got her. She’s holed up in one of the tiny compounds on the west side of town.” Ares stated.

“That’s perfect! Let’s go!” My pulse jumped. If we could get to Rhea and take her out, we could finally move on with our lives.

Aidon made a low, irritated sound at my excitement, immediately shaking his head.

“No fucking way, Esme,” he snapped. “You’re not going anywhere near that compound. Ares and I can handle it.”

My mood did a complete 180, from thrilled to pissed in two seconds flat.

“That’s ridiculous,” I fired back, crossing my arms and digging my heel into the floor.

Aidon’s eyes narrowed. He stalked over, closing the gap between us in about two steps, glaring down at me.

“Why do you think she moved somewhere so rural, Esme?”

“You seem to know everything,” I shot back, tilting my chin up. “Go ahead. Explain.”

He rolled his eyes, all attitude. “So she can see anyone coming. No surprises in a place like that.”

“Which means it’s even more dangerous,” Ares tossed in.

Aidon glanced at Ares, nodded once. “Go get everything set up, Ares. I’ll be right behind you. You’re right, we need to move fast.”

“On it, boss,” Ares said, already heading out of the room.

Aidon wheeled around, stubbornness written all over him. Only one of us was going to win this. I wasn’t about to let it be him. We squared off, neither willing to budge even a fraction.

“Esme,” he started. “I get that you want revenge. But you can’t go. I’m not going to let you throw yourself into danger again.”

“Try and stop me.” I raised a brow, daring him.

“Goddammit, woman!” He flung his head back, spun on his heel, and stalked away, muttering curses under his breath. “Why are you so fucking hard-headed?”

The space he put between us gave me a second to breathe, but it didn’t do a damn thing for the tension strung tight between us.

I shrugged, matching his energy. “Right back at you.”

He drifted over to the window, raking a hand through his hair.

I watched him, careful and deliberate, my gaze roved over the broad set of his shoulders, the muscles pulled tight under his shirt, bunched and restless.

I knew I was driving him up the wall. He only wanted to protect me.

But when was he going to figure out that was never his job? Why did he think that just because we’d had a little fun, it meant he was suddenly responsible for me?

He sucked in a ragged breath. Steam curled from his mouth, fogging up the glass. He stared down at the street, but I could see he wasn’t looking at anything.

I wanted to ask him what he was thinking, but I already knew I wouldn’t like the answer. Most likely, I’d get an earful of angry words and protests, because I wouldn’t just fall in line and let him boss me around.

So instead, I stayed silent. Waited for him to speak.

When he finally did, he turned back to me. His eyes were raw, full of something that looked a lot like pain.