Lucien

“You fired before I finished speaking.” My voice cut through the night as I turned to Abel. He stood beside me outside the hospital entrance, completely unfazed by the accusation.

“She swore loyalty to Ryker,” Abel replied immediately. “Her friend tried to kill you. I wasn’t about to gamble with the second one.”

I took a slow step closer to him. “Her friend swore her loyalty not her.” I said with gritted teeth, trying hard to control my anger. “I told you to wait.”

“And I made a decision,” he said, meeting my gaze without hesitation. “You trained me to protect you first.”

My jaw tightened. “She hadn’t moved,”...