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I don’t answer. Because he’s not entirely wrong.

But he’s not right either.

Adrian is mine. But he belongs to me just as much as my dog, my business, my apartment, and my cars do. Just as much as Marcos and the part I play in Kill Feed. These are my possessions, and I will do with them as I please.

My screen lights up fully, and there it is.

Adrian: “I meant what I said. You better not ignore me again, asshole, or I will kill you.”

A quiet sound slips from me, something between a breath and a laugh as I read it again, slower this time, letting the words settle into my skin. If anyone’s fucking obsessed, it’s him.

Me: “I love it when you talk dirty to me, baby.”

I send it, slipping the phone back into my pocket as we reach the elevators. The doors hiss open, but before we step inside, a figure rounds a corner that’s impossible to miss.

Selene steps into view first, dressed like she’s walking into a gala instead of a briefing, with her deep red wine silk blouse and black trousers, sharp lines and bold lips. Her smile is already there, wide and pleased as it always is.

Kamala stands just behind her, all composed and eerily smiling. Also as she always does.

“Ah,” Selene exclaims, her voice warm and bright as her eyes land on us. “Perfect.”

She looks between us, clearly satisfied with whatever she sees, then lets out a soft laugh as she turns slightly toward Kamala.

“I’m so glad we caught them before the meeting,” she chimes, then gestures toward the elevator. “Go ahead to the others and start without us. I’ll just steal these two for a moment.”

Kamala inclines her head once before stepping past Selene and into the elevator, her gaze flicking over us briefly, all measured and aware, before the doors slide shut again, taking her with them.

Marcos stays where he is, expression neutral, but I catch the small shift in his hands, the way his fingers curl and release.

I step forward, letting a smile stretch across my face as I meet Selene’s gaze.

“And here I thought we were being punctual,” I say, easy and ever-so amused. “What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until after the meeting?”

Selene’s smile widens.

If anything, it becomes more exaggerated, more theatrical.

“Oh, Graves,” she laughs softly, the sound light but deliberate. “Must everything be so formal with the two of you?”

Her eyes flick to Marcos, then back to me.

“I simply wanted a moment with my favorite hunters,” she continues, tilting her head slightly. “And, of course, last year’s winners.”

There’s a pause, just long enough for the words to settle. “And the board agrees with me,” she adds, almost offhand, though there’s nothing careless about it. “The numbers you two pulled… very impressive.”

Last season wasn’t luck. All it took was clean work, consistent results, and a body count high enough to keep the sponsors entertained and the board very happy. Just as much as Kill Feed rewards its winning participant. It rewards a hunter’s performance.

“Walk with me,” she adds lightly.

Marcos hesitates for a fraction of a second, then steps forward. Reluctant, but obedient.

I fall into place behind her without thinking about it, my hands sliding into my pockets, chin up as we move down the hallway.

A flicker of something cuts through that ease. It’s brief, but it’s there. The thought of her knowing about Adrian slips involuntarily in before I can stop it.

I shut it down. Immediately.

Because if she knew… this wouldn’t be a conversation.