Damien allowed himself a faint, controlled smile. Calm. Composed. In control. His gaze moved across the room—not just assessing the men before him, but reading Ashcroft’s tension, that unspoken edge that surfaced whenever anyone stepped too close to his world.
“Are we seriously just trusting them like that?” Ashcroft said, his voice sharp, edged with accusation. His eyes narrowed, something darker—almost possessive—slipping beneath his usual professionalism. “How do we know they haven’t already compromised the package?”
Damien’s gaze shifted to Ashcroft—amused, but curious to see where this childish behavior would lead. He let it play out, choosing to be a good friend and not press the wound.
“What exactly are you saying, Nick?”
Ashcroft leaned back, his gaze shifting to the two men be
