Page 43 of Override

Then her expression goes distant.

Gone.

Like she’s physically standing there while mentally retreating somewhere else entirely. I stare at the screen harder without realizing it. There. That look.

I’ve been seeing it more often lately.

The same empty disconnected expression she gets after certain conversations with him. The one where she suddenly seems smaller despite standing perfectly straight.

I hate that look.

The realization lands fast and sharp enough to unsettle me.

Not concern. Not professional frustration.

Hate. Actual hate.

Something cold moves low in my chest while Ronan removes the plate from her hands and passes it to a waiter without even looking at her.

My jaw tightens instantly.

What the fuck was that?

Maeve’s fingers flex once at her side before she smooths her expression again for the surrounding guests.

Smile restored. Performance resumed.

Like nothing happened.

“She’s dissociating.” The words leave my mouth before I fully realize I’m speaking aloud.

Silence crackles briefly through the comms.

Then Wheels says carefully, “You know that’s somehow creepier than the stalking, right?”

I blink once. Huh. Maybe.

Before I can answer, Matt’s voice snaps sharply through the headset. “Movement east side. Skee, eyes up.”

The mission slams back into focus. Thermal feed. Weapon signatures. Guard rotation shifting.

I shove the Maeve feed smaller into the upper corner of the screen and lean forward slightly while adrenaline settles cold and familiar through my bloodstream.

There you are. This part I understand.

“Exterior rotation changed,” I say quickly while fingers fly across the keyboard. “Guard three moved off pattern. He’s checking the northeast entry.”

“Made?” Bullet asks calmly.

“Negative. Probably piss break.”

“Classy.” Bullet huffs beside me while shifting his rifle.

I pull up secondary drone footage while the SUV lights cut out completely around us.

Darkness swallows the desert instantly.

And somewhere in the corner of my laptop screen, Maeve Gallagher keeps smiling at strangers while looking completely alone.