"Are you sure you're going to attempt to handle this alone?" Rogan's voice, silky but tinged with annoyance, cut through the study's quiet.
My gaze met his as I raised my head from the map strewn across the table. "I have no other option. Victor isn't waiting on me to solve the problem. If I do nothing now—
He stepped closer and interrupted, saying, "Stop." "Ava, you're not by yourself in this. You weren't.
With him standing so close, the room seemed smaller, and I was drawn in by his intensity. I started to reply, but I was unable to find the right words. His eyes flicked to the map and then back to me as he leaned across the table.
Softer now, he said, "Show me your plan." "Let's work things out together."
It was such a small gesture, but it made me feel warm in a way I had never experienced before. I wasn't used to having someone support me without any expectations or hidden agendas. Rogan has always been unique.
I handed the map toward him reluctantly. "I have been searching for any possible weaknesses in Victor's strategy. Something we can take advantage of before he does something else.
With steady focus, Rogan's brow wrinkled as he examined the map. I had seen the expression before, usually aimed at adversaries or impediments. It was meant to assist me now.
At last, he remarked, "I think you're overcomplicating this."
"Too complicated?" I raised an eyebrow in reiteration.
He gestured toward one of my markers. Victor is a control freak. However, it won't matter how effective his operation is if we undermine his influence and sow doubt among his fans. He will untangle himself.
I looked at him, taken aback not just by how straightforward his offer was, but also by how logical it was. "How do you do that every time?"
"What do you do?"
"Give me the impression that I'm overanalyzing everything."
The tension between us eased for a moment as a tiny smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Because you are in most cases."
Despite myself, I laughed, the sound piercing the stifling environment. Rogan's face changed; his grin dimmed as he continued to stare at me.
"What?" Suddenly self-conscious, I asked.
"You ought to laugh more," he muttered.
My face flushed, but before I could react, Claire burst through the door and hurried inside.
She held up a tablet and stated, "We have a problem." Victor just made a rally announcement. Tonight.
"What?" As I read the details, my heart sank, and I grabbed the iPad from her. Victor had no time to waste. He was assembling his supporters in an attempt to strengthen his stance and mobilize opposition to us.
"We cannot allow this to occur," I stated firmly.
Rogan said, "And we won't," as he started to leave. "Come prepared. We're leaving.
An abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town served as the venue for the demonstration. Even from the shadows where Rogan and I hid, the room was teeming with Victor's followers, and their enthusiasm was evident.
I looked at Rogan and muttered, "This is a mistake." "If they find us—"
"They won't," he reassured me in a firm voice. "All we have to do is watch, get information, and leave." No bravery.
Even if the knot in my gut wouldn't go away, I nodded.
As we approached, slicing through the darkness, I couldn't help but observe how effortlessly Rogan handled the situation. He was composed, intent, and deliberate in all that he did. I briefly experienced a glimmer of admiration as I watched him; it was like witnessing a master at work.
Then Victor's voice could be heard.
He exclaimed, "Tonight is the start of a new era!" as his voice reverberated throughout the warehouse. "We will no longer allow the weak to control our destiny!"
With terrifying fervor, the crowd burst into cheers. Rogan's jaw tensed as I looked at him.
"He's skilled at this," I whispered.
"Too good," Rogan said in a quiet voice.
We moved closer, being cautious not to be seen. I could see Victor standing on a makeshift stage, his magnetism on full display, from where we were standing. In addition to his strength, he was deadly because he could engender loyalty.
A figure moved up next to Victor as I watched. My heart stopped beating.
With my voice hardly audible, I said, "Aria."
Rogan's head jerked in my direction. "What?"
I gestured to the stage and said, "She's here."
Standing next Victor, Aria had a lifeless, nearly robotic appearance. When I realized what this meant, my stomach turned. He was manipulating her, not merely using her departure as leverage.
My voice was shaking with urgency as I continued, "We need to get her out of here."
"Not right now," Rogan firmly stated. "We'll reveal our secret."
With despair in my eyes, I turned to face him. "I can't abandon her to him." You're not understanding—
His grip was firm but not painful when he took hold of my arm. "Yes, I do comprehend. However, we lose everything if we take action now. Believe me, Ava.
His intense look kept me motionless as my impulses and reasoning clashed. I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded at last.
There was a heavy quiet between us back at the house. My mind was racing as I paced the room.
My voice was barely above a whisper when I eventually added, "She looked... broken."
Rogan folded his arms and leaned against the wall. Victor is controlling her in the same way that he controls everyone else. Ava, we'll get her back. However, we must approach it strategically.
I should have been reassured by his remarks, but the gravity of the situation overcame me. I buried my face in my hands and collapsed into a chair.
Rogan squatted down in front of me and said, "Hey." "This will be fixed. I swear.
I was taken aback by the vulnerability in his eyes as I stared up at him. For the first time, I was able to see behind the walls he usually maintained, past the harsh exterior. And something changed at that instant.
With a tidal surge of realization, I said, "You've always been there." "Even when I wanted you to be something else."
A small smile flickered over his lips. "It's never been easy with you."
Even though I was on the verge of tears, I managed to laugh. I felt a shock when he reached up and brushed a lock of hair away from my face.
His voice was low as he replied, "Ava, I'll always be here." "No matter what."
I was unsure of who made the first move, but all of a sudden his lips were on mine, tender but firm. A warmth I hadn't experienced in years took the place of the confusion and dread as the world vanished.
His forehead pressed against mine as we eventually separated, both of us out of breath.
His voice remained firm as he stated, "We will overcome this."
However, the sound of glass breaking reverberated throughout the house before I could reply. Both of us leaped to our feet, the incursion severing our connection.
Rogan's protective instincts took over, causing his eyes to narrow. "Remain here."
I shot back, snatching up a nearby weapon, "Like hell I will."
We walked toward the commotion together, prepared for whatever—or whoever—was ahead.