ROMAN'S POV

“Have you seen this?” I asked, dropping my tablet on the desk so the screen faced up between us like an accusation and a trophy at once.

 Lauren reached for it. She sat opposite me with the composed, deliberate air she’d cultivated; when she flicked through the headlines a small, satisfied smile curved her lips. The expression was quiet, almost private like someone who’d just watched a plan click into place and had the luxury of enjoying the first small victory before the clean-up began.

 I watched her. I couldn’t help it. There was still a recoil in me, a wariness that showed up as a flinch behind...