Anthony Morrison requested to see Allison three times.
She ignored him the first time.
Deleted the message the second.
The third request came with six words.
I know what they did to us.
Allison stared at the screen for almost a full minute.
Then she laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because somehow, even after everything, Anthony had found a way to make himself the victim.
Us.
As though there had ever been an us in the Consortium files.
As though Allison hadn't been the target.
As though Anthony hadn't been the weapon who decided how deeply he wanted to cut.
She locked her phone and placed it facedown on Lucian's desk.
"No."
Lucian looked up from the documents he'd been reviewing.
He didn't ask what she meant.
He'd seen the name on the screen.
"Okay."
Allison frowned.
"That's it?"
"Would you prefer an argument?"
"I expected at least a speech."
"I have several prepared."
Despite herself, she smiled.
"Of course you do."
"One is particularly compelling."
