Page 79 of Heart of the Rebel Mate

The words cut through me like a blade.

I straighten, my arms folding tightly across my chest as I finally turn to look at him. His expression is unreadable, his gaze fixed on the schematic. He's not looking at Isla, not exactly, but something about his posture sets my teeth on edge.

"So that's it?" My voice comes out sharper than I intend. "We just trust that Isla won't leave us exposed? We trust that she won't have her own exit strategy if things go south?"

Isla exhales through her nose, tilting her head just slightly. "I get it," she says. "You don't trust me. But if I wanted to screw you over, there are about ten easier ways I could've done it by now."

I don't look at her. I look at him.

At Adrian.

Who isn't disagreeing with her.

His jaw shifts, and when he speaks, his voice is low, deliberate. "Elara. If we keep rejecting every viable plan out of suspicion alone, we're going to run out of time."

The words lodge deep beneath my skin.

My hands curl into fists. "And how do I know your judgment isn't compromised?"

The room goes silent.

Adrian's head snaps toward me, eyes narrowing. The air between us feels charged, like a live wire waiting to snap.

"You think I'm compromised?" His voice is quiet, dangerous.

I don't back down. "I think you're being swayed too easily."

His jaw tightens. "And I think you're grasping for reasons to reject this plan that have nothing to do with strategy."

A sharp, stinging heat creeps up my neck.

Ethan clears his throat. "We're getting off track."

I drag in a breath, my hands flexing at my sides. I nod once, sharp. "Fine. We move forward with the plan. But if she steps out of line even once, she's done. No second chances."

Isla raises an eyebrow but says nothing.

Adrian's gaze lingers on me for half a second before he looks away.

The meeting adjourns, but the tension doesn't fade. It follows me like a shadow.

I need air.

The cave corridors are cold, rough-hewn stone brushing against my fingertips as I walk. The deeper chambers are quiet at this hour, most of the rebellion's fighters either asleep or buried in their work.

I don't realize I'm heading toward Adrian's quarters until I round the last bend and find him standing at the entrance, arms crossed.

Waiting.

I stop short, my pulse kicking up a notch.

He watches me, eyes unreadable.

"You want to tell me what the hell that was about back there?" His voice is quiet, but there's an edge to it.

I stiffen. "It was about keeping the rebellion from making a reckless mistake."

Adrian exhales sharply. "Bullshit."

---