Page 68 of Lock Up the Darkness

“Thank you.”

“And foolish.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

“To decline to take advantage of the resources available to you is foolish,” he said, doubling down.

“That’s not—”

“Plus, taking it off your plate would afford you more time and stop your complaints about being pulled away from your coursework to come here. Sorting out that job of yours is next. I need you available to us.”

“And I made it happen. I’m here right now.”

“And already wanting to leave as soon as possible.”

“Nothing’s ever good enough for you, is it?”

“It won’t be good enough for him.”

She cocked an eyebrow.

“My father. Half-measures will be cut down like nothing. Shaky dedication too.”

“Shaky dedication?” she seethed.

“That’s right.”

“How dare you?” she snapped, bolting to her feet.

“That temper is another.”

She stilled and studied him. “You’re provoking me on purpose?”

He shrugged and stubbed out his smoke in the ashtray on the end table to his right side. “Either way, it’s easy to get a rise out of you.”

She started toward him.

He didn’t react, merely staring up at her. “It’s an opportunity to our enemies. They’ll run a mile with it. Angry people are a breeze to manipulate. That kind of loss of control provides an in for them to control and then ruin.”

She slapped her hand down on his thigh and leaned in.

He held her fierce gaze steady, even as she dug her nails into his jeans and growled, “Don’t question my dedication to the mission again, or you won’t like the outcome.”

He grinned up at her. “Message received, little lamb.”

“Stop calling me that while you’re at it,” she said, taking a drag of her cigarette.

“I will when I’m convinced it no longer rings true.”

“What?” she seethed down at him. “You fucking bastard, how dare—”

“Watch the attitude.”

I started at that dangerous tone and shifted to intervene. “Asher—”

He held up his hand, while keeping his attention focused on her and their battle of wills taking place.

“Never,” she bit back at him, blowing smoke in his face.

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