Page 75 of The Hunter's Empire

"Don't start again."

"I haven't even said anything yet."

"You never need to."

A low chuckle escapes him as he takes a few steps further into the room. The teasing familiarity of it does little to ease the tension coiled tightly inside my chest. If anything, it only reminds me of what waits for us downstairs. The mission. The risk. The possibility that everything could go horribly wrong.

Perhaps Nico notices the shift in my expression because some of the amusement leaves his face.

His smile gradually fades. "You've been thinking too much."

I let out a quiet breath.

"We're about to break into Fergus’s private room in the middle of a celebration filled with dangerous people. I think a certain amount of thinking is justified."

"Fair."

My gaze drifts back toward the mirror. "I just keep feeling like we're missing something."

"What?"

"I don't know." And that is the problem. I know the plan. I know the timing. I know the route we're taking. Yet the feeling refuses to go away.

Nico studies me for a moment before speaking again. "This is about Roisin."

It isn't a question.

I don't bother denying it. "Partly."

His expression softens slightly. "There's nothing we can do for her tonight."

The answer arrives immediately. "I know." And I do. That doesn't mean I have to like it.

For a few seconds neither of us says anything. Then Nico adjusts the cuff of his jacket and straightens.

"One problem at a time, baby."

I immediately glare at him. "I told you not to call me baby."

The corner of his mouth twitches. "One problem at a time, Elf."

I narrow my eyes. "No."

His amusement grows. "Vivienne, then."

"Better."

Nico shakes his head like I'm the difficult one before offering me his arm. "We get the information. We don't get caught. We leave Ireland alive." His gaze settles on me. "Anything else?"

I consider it for a moment. "Preferably without being shot."

A low laugh escapes him. "See?" Nico says. "Now that's the kind of optimism I like."

The bastard looks entirely too pleased with himself. Despite myself, I laugh. The sound eases some of the tension sitting in my chest.

Nico's gaze lingers on me for a second before he nods toward the door. Then, just as we're about to leave, his expression shifts ever so slightly, becoming more focused.

"You have your earpiece?"