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Veyr went completely still.

And there it was.

Not concern for my safety.

Not tactical calculation.

Fear.

I had seen him face armed men without it. Seen him bleeding without it. Seen him read his own death file without it.

This was different.

“You can’t.”

His voice lowered. “It is not that simple.”

“It is now.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“You know why.”

“No, Veyr. I know the reasons you’ve given me.” I moved closer again. “Tell me the real one.”

His face turned hard. “I am Ghost.”

“That is not a reason.”

“It is what I am.”

“No.”

His eyes flashed. “You do not get to define that.”

“I’m not.” I swallowed. “You did.”

That stopped him.

“You decided Veyr died eight years ago. You decided Ghost was all that was left.”

His silver-white ŭre glowed beneath his skin. “You know nothing about that decision.”

“I know your mother thinks you’re dead.”

A muscle in his cheek twitched, a tiny, involuntary betrayal.

“I know your sister thinks you’re dead.”

“Talia.”

“I know you check whether they’re alive and never contact them.”

“Stop.”

“I know you had a unit.”