“She’s trying to ruin the deal,” Tristan hissed, cradling his wrist against his expensive jacket.

“She is a liability to both of us,” Tristan added, his eyes darting toward the hallway.

Arthur tilted his head slightly, his gaze cold and flat.

“Kate Hayes is under my protection,” Arthur said.

“She’s a thief,” Tristan said, his face flushed with sudden color.

“Anything she has taken, she has taken on my authority,” Arthur said.

He adjusted the heavy gold cufflink of his shirt with his left hand.

“Which means she belongs to my ledger,” Arthur continued.

“Her safety is my concern,” he said. “Her mistakes are my concern.”

He looked down at Tristan as if he were a smudge on his sleeve.

“You do not touch what is mine, Tristan.”

“I made her,” Tristan said, trying to stand taller, though he was visibly shaking.

“I gave her everything she knows about this market,” Tristan added.

Arthur took a step closer to him, closing the physical gap between them.

The difference between them was stark in the dim light.

Tristan was soft, built on expensive lunches and gym trainers.