Page 71 of Override

“Just trying to figure out Gallagher.”

“And?”

I stare out at the traffic ahead for a second too long. “And I don’t like him.”

The words come out flatter than intended.

Matt notices. “How much don’t you like him?”

“Enough.” Silence stretches briefly through the speakers.

“You think he’s dangerous?” Matt’s voice instantly changes and I know he will jump in if I need him.

“Yes.”

No hesitation. No uncertainty. Because I know what my instincts are telling me now even if I can’t fully prove it yet.

Matt exhales slowly. “Okay.”

That’s it. No questioning. No pushing.

Just okay.

Because that’s the thing about Matt.

When one of us says something feels wrong—he listens.

I can practically hear him thinking through the phone. “You gonna tell me where you actually are?” he asks after another second.

“Outside.”

“That narrows it down considerably.”

“Chicago probably.”

“Keaton.”

I grin slightly despite myself while turning onto the next street. “I’m handling something.”

“That sounds suspicious.”

“Most things I do sound suspicious.”

“Also fair.” Matt pauses again before his voice shifts slightly quieter. “You know you can ask for backup if you need it, right?”

The offer lands heavier than it should.

Because underneath the sarcasm and the bullshit and the constant threats of bodily harm, this team has always understood one thing better than anyone else ever will—None of us were built to carry things alone.

My grip tightens slightly on the steering wheel. “If I need you,” I say carefully, “I’ll come to you.”

Matt is quiet for a moment. Then finally “Alright.”

Relief loosens something deep in me, instantly. Not because he approved. Because he trusted me enough not to push harder.

“That being said,” Matt continues calmly, “if you end up on the news today, Rachel says she’s not bailing you out again.”

“That happened once.”