Page 71 of Under Her Protection

A pause. "Yes."

"Because I know what she is saying."

"Yes."

"And she knows I know."

"Yes."

"That has always been the problem."

"With her."

"With her."

Leo's hand, under hers, closed.

"Vivienne."

"Yes."

"I am going to keep you safe."

"I know."

"I am saying it out loud because you have not let anyone say it out loud to you."

"Leo."

"Yes."

“Please keep me safe."

"I will."

"Find her."

"I will."

"Before she does it again."

“I will.”

"I have spent twenty-five years assuming she was the sort of woman who would let me win because I had won. I will have to update that assumption. I am updating it now. Out loud, to the operative Blackthorn has put in my bed, which is not how I had imagined doing the updating, but here we are."

"Here we are…Vivienne."

"Yes."

"That is the other half of it. I cannot keep you safe if I do not find her. Avery and I can work the YLV end, but we need you on the inside. You, the board, Isabella's networks where they touch the Circle, the files Fournier can pull. I cannot do it without you. I will keep you safe through this week and I will keep you safe through next week and through as long as it takes, and we will find her."

"Yes."

"Yes."

"Leo."

"Mm."