Page 63 of Cold Ignition

“Efficient,” Victor muttered.

“Disposable,” Drew corrected.

“Profitable,” Niko added from behind them.

Keanu leaned forward again, elbows braced on his knees.

“They won’t expect me,” he said. “Ahi will bring them out into the light.”

That pulled the room’s focus straight back to him.

Kael’s gaze sharpened. “You think that’s enough to draw them?”

Keanu held it. “Not just draw them.” He paused. “Interest them.”

Rangi huffed a quiet breath. “Understatement.”

Alexios’s gaze slid to Keanu, assessing. “They will want to test you.”

Keanu nodded once. “Good.”

Kael didn’t look convinced.

“That puts you back inside their system,” he said. “On their terms.”

Keanu’s mouth curved slightly. “Only if we let it.”

That got a flicker of approval from Rangi, and damn if that didn’t feel good. Kael studied him for a long moment. “You’re volunteering.”

It wasn’t a question.

Keanu didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Rangi leaned back in his chair, watching him, something unreadable moving through his expression. Alexios didn’t move at all. But Keanu could feel his attention.

Kael exhaled slowly.

“Then we do it right,” he said. “No improvisation. No hero plays.”

Rangi snorted. “You’ve met him, right?”

Keanu shot him a look and a raised middle finger.

Kael didn’t smile. “I’m serious, little brother.”

“So am I,” Keanu said quietly.

Kael gave a single nod. “Then we set the stage.”

He turned slightly, already shifting into command. “Get the car finished. Full sweep. No tells.”

“Already on it,” Drew replied.

“Surveillance grid?”

“Mapping now,” Victor said.

“Luca?” A voice came from behind a comms panel, calm and precise.