"Yes," I said without hesitation. "By doing something they don't expect."
"And if I say no?" he asked quietly.
"Then I will find a way to go around you and do what I want to do," I replied, a faint smile touching my lips. There was no threat in my tone, just certainty.
Saleos studied my face for a long moment. His gaze was sharp, heavy, as if he was trying to strip me layer by layer and see what was hidden underneath. The fire in his eyes did not disappear, but it stopped raging.
"Your organization," he said slowly, "it's called the Order of Absolute, right?"
I nodded. "That's right."
He let out a breath through his nose. It almost sounded like a laugh, but there was no humor in it. "An arrogant name."
"It is," I agreed calmly. "I won't deny that." Then I added, "I'm Billion Ironhart, by the way. And the two behind me are my people."
