special license plate gleamed in the morning sun as the door creaked open. Clayt

s filled with authority that left no room for argument. He made

e mistaken," said Kellan, his voice cutting through the silenc

d, fear twistin

flashed a playful grin. "Mess with you? Please. I just think there's something fateful between us. You snea

ed with mischief. Clayton watched with disbelief, certai

grimmer, and the air around th

is gaze, her eyes sparkling w

eady moving. Her hand darted to her cufflink, and

agree?" She chuckled under her breath a

cing the blade's edge against Avery's neck instead. "You've

Avery's eyes as she regist

h stubborn resolve and pushed back anyway. "Die? That sounds foreign. But if

howing no panic at all. "If you plan to do it, then b

ations far worse than this. Threats no longer rattled her, even when

ward Clayton. Having just stepped out of the car, Clayton staggered

ng slightly. "You have guts, and I respect that. How about working directly for

orehead as she tried to rea

cted Avery of being a planted operative, yet now he was inviting Avery to sta

actually like me?" Avery asked with a light laugh, teasing curl

oking for a way to get closer to Kellan, and now he was offer

up on something she di

ver at him, as though worried he might actually

etter watch what you say and remember who you're talking to! Who do you thi

inger lingered over the trigger, the ten

s he motioned for Clayton to back off. Clayton nodded and

again, and you will regret it," said Ke

m head to toe, then turn her back on hi

orcing Avery's decision. A person with Avery's spirit would never rush into anything without careful thought.

never be easily swayed o

Deep down, he already kn

ut his disregard for authority grated on him. Both times

ntly questioning whether

or a moment, stealing a glance at Avery's retreating figu

life was not typical for Kellan. Clayton could not recall

those on the straight path knew better

recklessness-for Avery to keep p

ady himself, still reeling from

n, his tone low and commanding, impatience written cle

"Mr. Wright... that troublemaker really doesn't know his place. He keeps testin

driver. The driver caught his eye in the rearview mirror and

said Kellan, his w

he was told, quickly climbing into the

ering against the pavement while Clayton's nerv

s got far more going on beneath the surface than most people. If someone sent him afte

ff, his fingers rhythmically d

en meaning in Kellan's tone. In the rearview mirror, he caught a gli

further probe, Mr. Wright?" Clayton

the offer without a second thought

is movements deliberate and calm, the picture of someone in absolute control. He

carried came rushing back, and somet

t, then placed the tiny bla

into the metal. Kellan's voice was low and thoughtful as