Page 111

“They disrupt supply lines. Interfere with shipments. Test boundaries. Small things, at first. Enough to see how we react.”

Addy’s lips parted. “Like … poking a bear?”

“Exactly like that.”

“And you’re the bear.”

“I’m the one they’re trying to figure out,” I corrected.

There was a pause before she spoke again, her voice softer this time. “So today…”

“Wasn’t random,” I finished for her. “They came here on purpose.”

“To see you?”

“To see how far they could go,” I said. “To walk into my territory, stand in front of me, and make it clear they’re not backing down.”

“And you?”

I held her gaze. “I don’t back down either.”

Addy let out a slow breath, processing the information. “So this whole thing is basically … what? A very tense game of chicken?”

“Nothing about this is a game,” I said quietly.

She winced slightly. “Right.”

“Now you’re getting it.”

Addy looked at me for a long second, a thoughtful expression flickering behind her eyes.

“And your uncle just dropped you into this and said …good luck?”

A faint, humorless smile pulled at my lips. “He said I’d earned the opportunity.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “That’swhat we’re calling this?”

“That’s what he’s calling it.”

“And what areyoucalling it?”

I stepped a fraction closer, my voice lowering just slightly. “A test.”

Her gaze didn’t waver. “I’m guessing you don’t tend to fail those.”

“No,” I replied, giving my head a slow shake. “I don’t.”

Silence stretched for a moment, then she exhaled softly and pursed her lips.

“God,” she murmured. “And I thought my family had high expectations.”

I gave a huff of amusement.

She flashed me a small, mischievous smile, but her expression shifted again, becoming more serious.

“And those guys,” she said, glancing briefly toward the door, “they’re part of the problem?”

“Yes.”