Page 48 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Bay said, “Alone.”

“No,” Sabre said.

The girl’s jaw tightened. “I’ll talk, but just to you.”

Sabre shook her head. “That’s not happening.”

“You said you wanted the truth.”

“I do.”

“Then send him out.”

Sabre didn’t even glance at Vale.

“Your attorney stays or I leave.”

Bay’s eyes flicked toward Vale for the first time, like he’d just appeared. “I don’t trust him.”

“You may not trust him now, but you better start soon because he’s the one representing you.”

“I don’t want him.”

“That’s not how this works.”

Bay’s voice rose slightly. “Then make it work.”

Sabre’s tone didn’t change. “I can’t do that. I’m not your attorney.”

Bay shook her head hard, frustrated now. “You’re supposed to be.”

“You keep saying that,” she said. “But you haven’t given me a single reason why.”

Bay stared at her. “You know why.”

“No,” Sabre said. “I don’t.”

Bay’s eyes flickered. “Because you promised.”

Sabre held her gaze. “I don’t make promises I don’t remember.”

Bay flinched.

Vale shifted his weight subtly, just enough to anchor the room. “Bay,” he said calmly, “you need to understand that if you don’t start talking, no one can help you. Not me. Not her. No one.”

Bay’s hands clenched at her sides. “You don’t understand.”

“Then explain it.”

“I can’t.”

“Then I can’t help you.”

“You can,” she said, softer now. “You just won’t.”

Sabre’s voice stayed steady. “I won’t do it your way,” she said. “That’s different.”