I break the tension by letting a warm chuckle roll off my lips while I smooth a hand over my trimmed beard and stand up. “Claire, darling. An insurrection?” I ask, my voice as sweet as honey. Straightening my suit jacket, I button it closed while my hard stare pins her to her seat. My power tingles up my nape. The tether between us tightens. My grasp on her psyche strengthens. Her expression turns soft. Malleable. “That would be a waste of everyone’s time, don’t you think?”
