Page 36 of The Hunter's Empire

I almost smile at that. Corporate language always sounds cleaner than the truth.

"You think my involvement increases risk." I say evenly.

"I think your value to the company makes certain risks unnecessary."

There it is again. Not overt disrespect. Something quieter. More polished. The assumption that leadership and operational authority should remain separate when it comes to me specifically.

Erin shifts slightly beside the screen, clearly aware that the conversation has stopped being professional several sentences ago.

Sebastian notices too.

His tone softens deliberately. "Nobody here questions your intelligence."

But they question whether I belong in dangerous rooms. He does not say it aloud. He does not need to.

I hold his gaze steadily. "The Keegans will not underestimate another man sent to negotiate logistics. They will underestimate me."

"That is exactly what concerns me."

"No." I say quietly. "What concerns you is that I intend to step outside the role everyone finds comfortable."

The room falls completely silent after that.

Sebastian exhales slowly through his nose before glancing around the table. "We will discuss this privately later."

I almost respond when another voice cuts smoothly through the tension.

"I apologize," the voice says lazily from the doorway, "am I interrupting a strategic meeting or a marital disagreement?"

Every head in the room turns immediately.

Domenico leans casually against the open doorway, dressed entirely in black. Hands tucked loosely into his pockets like he has walked into an ordinary social gathering instead of a room filled with operational intelligence. And somehow his presence changes the atmosphere instantly.

His eyes find mine first. Then drift briefly toward Sebastian. A faint smile touches his mouth.

He looks amused like he already understands far more about the room than he should.

Sebastian clearly dislikes the interruption. I see it in the slight tightening of his jaw before the expression disappears beneath polished composure.

Domenico, meanwhile, looks entirely unaffected by the tension he just walked into.

His gaze moves lazily across the room, taking in the screens, the files spread across the conference table, the analysts quietly pretending not to watch the situation unfold.

Then his eyes land on me.

A slow familiarity settles into his expression.

"Elf." He says smoothly, like the nickname belongs to him now. "I need a word. Alone."

Before I can respond, Sebastian steps forward slightly.

"If this concerns the operation," he says calmly, "there is no need for privacy."

The atmosphere shifts again. Sharper now.

Domenico finally looks at him properly for the first time. The two men study each other in silence for a brief moment, and the tension between them is immediate. Not loud or aggressive. Like both are calculating exactly how much of a threat the other might become.

Sebastian extends a hand first. "Sebastian Hayes."