Page 71 of Theirs to Hunt

Grayson's eyes flick to Reagan, then back to Devon. His tone drops, measured and sharp. "What we're building around her isn't about guarding a girlfriend.

It's about staying ten steps ahead." Devon raises a brow but stays quiet.

"Someone noticed we were watching her. They used it. Paid Genevieve to apply pressure. Forced our hand. Made us act on her faster than we might've otherwise."

Devon leans forward slightly. "Why?"

"Because they needed us looking the other way," Grayson says. "And it worked. I already had a gut feeling something was going wrong inside Calhoun. Vendorshifts. Quiet contract swaps. It wasn't clean. While we were circling her, something else moved."

I nod once. "They didn't plan her, but they exploited her.

They saw the opening and used it." Grayson's jaw tightens. "They used her once. They don't get another shot."

Devon tips his chin.

"You think they'll try again?"

"I'm not taking the chance. She's got good instincts. Reads people better than most of our analysts. She's loyal. And she's getting promoted. I need people I can trust." Grayson looks at Devon. "You're on that list."

Devon lifts his cup. "Then let's finish building the team. And flush whoever's behind this."

Across the table, Reagan's still laughing, cheeks flushed from champagne and sun. She has no idea what's forming around her.

I raise my glass.

"Let's not."

Chapter fifty-nine

Grayson, Sunday 10:40 a.m.

Brooks lifts his glass. "Yeah," he murmurs. "Let's not."

Devon gives a single nod.

That's all. No discussion. No conditions. Just understanding.

This is war, and we're choosing sides.

I don't raise my glass. I don't have to. This was my call before either of them walked in.

Brooks didn't ask permission before bringing Devon into the fold. He didn't need to. He knows where we're headed and who we'll need when things go sideways. And so does Devon. That's why he's here.

Reagan doesn’t realize it yet, but she's the reason this meeting is happening. She's not a pawn. She's the plan. Brooks is muscle. Devon is strategy. But Reagan? She's the one who can walk into a room and have the whole damn board reshuffle without saying a word. She sees what people hide. Hears what they don't say. And she acts. Fast. Clean. Without waiting for permission.

She doesn't need oversight. She needs autonomy. And I'm giving it to her.

This isn't about keeping her close. It's about putting her in. Giving her access. Letting her help manage the operations we keep quiet. Because she's smart enough to know why some problems can't go through official channels.

She's not our weakness. She's our weapon.

And if she stays, she'll change everything.

I rest my hand on her thigh.

She glances at me. Curious. Cautious. Still deciding how far she wants to go.

I already know.