It takes me a second to register the flirt in his tone. What the fuck? Did he wink at my brother? I should tell him to stay the fuck away from Mal—just like I did the other day when I caught him flirting with Delilah.

Cass is temporary. He’s here for a few months, maybe a couple of years, until they can take down the Hollow Syndicate. But after that? He’s gone. And the last thing I need is a heartbroken brother or Del—who’s practically family—getting caught in something that was never meant to last.

I set my jaw, making a mental note to deal with that later.

Right now, we’ve got bigger problems.

“So, just the sheriff and his people—the same ones who think battling gossip qualifies as law enforcement?” I ask, trying to keep my tone level. Trying not to let the fact that I’m freaking the fuck out show.

Sanford scoffs. “Nah. We’ve already got assets close by—remember, they’re just a few towns away. Crait Quantum Shield is flying people over, and my team’s in the air as we speak.”

“So as long as nothing happens in the next five hours, we’ll be fine?” I ask, trying to piece the plan together.

Sanford nods. “Yeah, but we have a plan.”

I nod back. “Let’s hear it.”

Malerick speaks first. “The Hollow Syndicate and Winston’s men are working together. That makes things messy. But it also makes them predictable.” He glances at Sanford. “Your guys have been tracing their movements?”

Sanford confirms it with a tight nod. “Yeah. Winston is setting up in Larkspur Knoll.”

Silence settles over the room.

Larkspur Knoll isn’t some far-off town. It’s close. An hour away, maybe less if they move fast, if we aren’t careful, they’ll see our people mobilizing before we even get there.

Should I say something?

Cassian runs a hand through his hair, his eyes sharp with focus. “If we hit them fast, we can cut him off before he has a chance to scatter.”

I already know where this is going.

“And Blythe?”

Sanford’s face tightens. “We keep her locked down.”

I exhale slowly, shaking my head. “She’s not going to like that.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Malerick crosses his arms, his expression unreadable. “She’s pregnant. She’s the reason we’re doing this in the first place. You think I’m going to risk my niece’s life because she suddenly wants revenge?”

His words settle in my chest like a slow burn. His niece. Since when does he care about me or . . . well, I’ve never had a significant other or a baby on the way, but I don’t think he’s ever given two fucks about me before.

Though, right now is not the time to think about his reaction. I’ll file it for another day.