Page 301 of Black Reign

His gaze hardens.

“She is a liability.”

“No.”

“She is an outsider.”

“No.”

“She has no legal standing inside Blackwell, no clearance, no contractual protection, no privileged relationship to you. She is an admitted hostile actor whose presence exposes this family, this company, and every client we serve.”

I listen.

Liability.

Outsider.

No standing.

No protection.

Each word clicks into place.

My mind does what it has always done.

Finds the structure.

Finds the weakness.

Finds the shortest route through it.

My father is still talking.

“Until counsel determines otherwise, she cannot remain under your personal protection. She cannot access Blackwell property. She cannot be present in sensitive environments. She cannot⁠—”

“Fine.”

He stops.

I barely hear myself say it.

The thought arrives fully formed.

Insane.

Clean.

Effective.

My father narrows his eyes.

“Fine?”

“I’ll change her status.”

“What are you talking about?”

I look toward the cracked bedroom door.