Page 119 of Scars Run Deep

“What is this? You’ve been going behind my back talking about all of this?” I shot a look at Killian. “That’s why you were pushing for me to go away for winter break?”

Killian held up his hand. “It’s not what you—”

“Killian!” Asher snapped, drawing his attention back to him.

“I’m just thinking, maybe—”

“Don’t fall into the trap of backtracking for fear of creating a fissure in your relationship with her. It’s stronger than that. This is needed.”

“But I—”

“Do. You. Disagree?” Asher ground out, his eyes burning into Killian’s.

Killian scrubbed his hand over his face. “No.” He turned to me. “I’m sorry, darlin’, he’s right. And it’s to help you. It’s because we care about you.”

I frowned. “What’s to help me? This conversation, or something more?”

Jonah sighed, took a big gulp of his vodka, then slumped onto one of the kitchen island stools.

Killian reached out and rubbed my arm. “I’m sorry, Aurora.”

“Sorry? About what?”

Asher rounded the island toward me. “You’re sitting out the last dollhouse takedown.”

“I’m what?” I snapped.

“It’s the final one, the biggest one, and the most complicated operation. I can’t have any mistakes, or anyone going off mission. You’ll remain back here.”

“Is that why you brought in Caleb for the job? You knew you were going to do this?”

“Yes,” he confirmed without even a trace of regret.

“So, he’s replacing me?”

“Replacing you?” Killian said. “Hell, no. Nobody could do that.”

“In this case, no, because he won’t be losing his shit all over the hostiles, cutting into them, collaring them and subjecting them to sexual degradation as punishment for their crimes.”

“Not on mission, at least,” Jonah muttered.

Asher’s eyes flashed at him. “Really? Still holding a grudge, Jonah? I’m highly disappointed. I told you clearly that it was years ago.”

“When you were experimenting with that priest, I got it.”

“He was a missionary, not a priest.”

“You could’ve come to me,” Jonah muttered.

“It was years ago.”

“Either way, it’s still fucking—”

“Stop,” Asher growled in warning.

“Whatever,” Jonah grumbled.

“I know that’s why you went the other way with the vote, all because you didn’t want Cal there on mission with us. It’s ancient history, Jonah. And you need to get a grip and approach this rationally, or this final takedown will fail before it begins. The Infidels have shored up security, this being the last site they have remaining. It will be a challenge to take.”

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