“Yourideas and designs,” she counters, “but we put them on the ground and gave them legs together.”
I consider her words for a moment. She’s not wrong, and I’m not trying to be a dick. But Vince would never let my tech team know about our business. For one, it puts everything we’re working towards at risk, and two, it’s far too dangerous for anyone to know concrete details beyond the creation process. I’m sure she’s smart enough to know, just by the devices we’re making, that this is no normal company. But, I’m not about to give her any information she could be put in danger by knowing.
I tell myself that I would feel that way about anyone. That it’s not just that I feel a powerful urge to protect Scout, more so than anyone else in my orbit, outside of my family. That would require looking intowhythat is, which I most definitely do not want to do.
“Scout, I want to let you come along, but—”
“Too dangerous?”
“I—”
“Because, if that’s the reason, I don’t know why we’re creating these devices in the first place.”
I cock my head at the confidence in her words. “What?”
“Aren’t these meant to help keep people safe?”
“How do you know that?”
“They're defensive and aid-driven with precautionary add-ons for weaponry.”
“How do you figure that?”
“That they’re for weapons?”
I nod for her to go on.
“Because I’m not an idiot. Neither is our team. We should be upfront with them, whatever is going on, if you’re in the mafia, or—"
“Wait.” I place my palm onto the table, but it sounds more like I slammed it. She jumps a little at the sound, paling as if she’s said something she didn’t mean to. “What makes you think that?”
“So, youarein the mafia?” Her eyes widen to saucer-size in her face, and she pales a little more, but to her credit, she doesn’t get up and run. It’s what I would have expected from anyone else, but not Scout. She’s tougher than she looks, clearly, and that only intensifies my attraction to her.
“That’s not what I said.” I let out a breath. “And that wasn’t even my question.”
“No, but it’s mine.” A smirk grows over her lips when she knows she’s trapped me. I do attempt Vince’s signature intimidation glare, but it probably looks more like a wounded puppy dog trying to fend off any further attacks. I’m many things, but scary is likely not on that list. After another moment of unsuccessfully deterring her from the truth, I sigh. I drop my shoulders and shake my head, relenting.
“You can’t tell the others, Scout. It’s not safe.”
I hadn’t thought her eyes could get any wider, but they’re most of her face now.
“Oh shit, you are?” She breathes the words, a fine tremor of fear in them, which I hate. I don’t want her to be afraid of me.
I rub my temples, trying to clear out the slight fogginess of the wine, so I can be clear with her. “You just–”
“Yeah, but I was testing the waters… I didn’t really think, I wasn’t sure--”
“Scout–” I reach out to touch her hand, but she jerks it away, her breathing quickening visibly.Shit, what if she has a panic attack?I don’t feel equipped to handle this.
“So, am I going to get arrested or something?” She blurts out the words, louder than I would have liked, but I suppose it’s understandable given the circumstances.
“What?” I blink at her. “Scout—”
“I mean, is this illegal stuff? Are we smuggling things?” Her voice is shaky, and she looks poised to run now, her fingers trembling.
I rub a hand over my mouth, trying to think of how to calm her. “Scout, your job is still the same. Leave the details in my hands. Didn’t Vince go over this with you?”
“He told me not to ask too many questions.” Scout closes her eyes. “Shit. I’m asking too many questions.”