Page 128 of Scaled Daddy's Secret Heir

---

Kalev doesn’t give him the satisfaction.

“I’m not finishing it,” he says.

Thale’s head tilts slightly, like a bird’s. “Not finishing implies it’s been started.”

“I rescind the mission.”

“That’s not within your operational authority.”

“I’m not asking.”

The handler’s smile drops a degree. It doesn’t vanish. Just cools.

“Mr. Vair,” he says softly. “This isn’t a negotiation. It’s a closure cycle. Refusal of directive is?—”

“Expected,” Kalev interrupts.

Now it’s Thale who stills.

Kalev doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t blink.

“Iknowwhat this is,” he says. “I know you never expected success. You expected compliance. Which you got—until I saw the target.”

Thale’s face doesn’t change. “You’re suggesting we set you up to fail?”

“I’m saying you underestimated who I am.”

Another pause. Then?—

“You’ll hear from us again.”

Thale’s voice is still polite, but the threat inside it is unmistakable.

The handler steps back and disappears down the path.

The door shuts.

The locks engage.

Kalev exhales like someone’s pulled a pin out of his spine.

I step out.

Neither of us says anything at first.

Then:

“They’re not done.”

“I know,” I whisper.

Kalev is still facing the door, shoulders high, hands loose at his sides in that way I know too well—the way he stands when he’s already five moves ahead of everyone else in the room.

“They won’t wait long,” he says quietly.

My pulse is in my throat.

“I know.”

---