Page 13 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

The girl’s jaw tightened.

Sabre could almost see the argument happening behind her eyes.

“He hurt—” Bay stopped.

The room went still. Bay’s gaze dropped to the table.

“Who did he hurt?”

Bay didn’t respond.

Sabre tried again. “You were protecting someone.”

Bay’s eyes lifted slowly. There was something fragile in them, a fear, but not for herself, for someone else.

Sabre lowered her voice. “Who were you protecting?”

Bay’s lips parted slightly.

For a second, Sabre thought she might say it.

Then the girl crossed her arms. “No one.”

Beside her, JP let out a quiet breath.

Sabre didn’t push. She let the silence stretch. Bay stared back at her with that same steady watchfulness.

Finally, Sabre said, “You tracked a man for days?”

“Yes.”

“You confronted him alone?”

“Yes.”

“You stabbed him?”

“Yes.” Bay’s expression flickered.

“You weren’t trying to kill him, were you?”

Bay didn’t answer.

“You were trying to stop him.” Sabre gently probed.

The words hung in the air. Bay looked away again.

“You thought he was going to hurt someone.”

Still no response.

Sabre continued. “And when he grabbed you, you believed he was going to hurt you too.”

Bay’s voice was quieter now. “You don’t know him.”

Sabre held her gaze. “No. But I know fear when I see it.”

Bay’s eyes hardened. “You should’ve been afraid of him too.”