Page 81 of Knuckles & Knives

“Yes, but first, we need to get out of this building alive.”

As if summoned by my words, the lights go out and emergency lighting kicks in, casting everything in hellish red. Through the windows, I can see tactical teams moving into final position.

“Showtime,” Dom mutters.

“Weapons check,” I command, my voice steel. “We fight for every life he threatens, and we end this tonight.”

CHAPTER 25

Right when I think we’re all on the same page, though, I see it happen—that subtle shift in body language that means my four men have just made a decision without consulting me. Dom’s shoulders straighten into his protective stance, Kieran’s eyes take on that calculating look that means he’s already three steps ahead, Axel’s restless energy focuses into deadly purpose, and Marcus’s fingers pause over his keyboard as he mentally reorganizes priorities.

“No,” I say immediately, recognizing the signs. “Whatever you’re thinking, the answer is no.”

“Raven—” Dom starts, but I cut him off.

“I know that look. All of you. You’re about to suggest that I stay here in some secure bunker while the four of you handle the actual fighting.”

“The tactical situation has changed,” Kieran says in that reasonable tone that means he’s about to say something completely unreasonable. “With your identity compromised, you’re the primary target. Every enemy operative in the city will be focused on eliminating Vincent Blackwood’s daughter.”

“Exactly why I need to be in the field,” I counter. “I’m the strategic mind coordinating this entire operation.”

“You’re also the person we can’t afford to lose,” Marcus adds, his analytical voice carrying an edge of protectiveness that would be sweet if it weren’t so infuriating. “If something happens to you, this entire alliance falls apart.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to me because I’ll be with all of you, fighting together like we planned.”

“The plan’s changed,” Axel says, and the fact that even he—the most chaos-loving of my men—is agreeing with the others tells me how serious they are about this. “We need you safe while we handle the immediate threats.”

I stare at them, these four dangerous men who’ve just decided to protect me by cutting me out of the most important battle of our lives. The irony would be hilarious if it weren’t so insulting.

“Listen to me very carefully,” I say, my voice carrying the kind of quiet authority that made Vincent Blackwood’s enemies cross the street. “I am the leader of this organization, and I will not be sidelined while my family goes to war.”

“You’re also the woman we love,” Dom says roughly, “and we’re not letting you walk into a kill zone when there are other options.”

“What other options? Hiding in a panic room while innocent people die because I wasn’t there to coordinate their evacuation? Letting Sterling’s forces reposition while I’m safely tucked away somewhere?”

“We can handle the tactical coordination,” Kieran insists. “Between the four of us, we have all the skills necessary to execute this operation.”

“Do you?” I challenge. “Marcus, how many of our civilian evacuation contacts will trust orders from you instead of me?”

He hesitates. “Some of them?—”

“How many, Marcus?”

“Maybe half,” he admits reluctantly.

“Dom, how many of the neutral organizations will mobilize their people based on your word alone?”

His jaw tightens. “That’s not the point?—”

“It’s exactly the point. Axel, which of your chaos agents will follow your lead into a coordinated operation instead of just creating random mayhem?”

“Most of them,” he says, but his voice lacks conviction.

“And Kieran, how many of your legitimate business contacts will risk their resources to help the Sterling heir they think is a traitor?”

His silence is answer enough.

“I’m not just the person you want to protect,” I continue, my voice gaining strength. “I’m the linchpin that holds this entire operation together. Without me actively coordinating every element, your rescue mission becomes a disaster that gets everyone killed.”