Carlino’s POV
“Turn the cars around,” The order left my mouth before Niel could finish reading the coordinates again.
The convoy slowed.
“Don?” Niel asked carefully.
“We’re not going to the docks.”
A ripple of confusion passed through the men over the comms. Engines idled. Waiting.
“It’s a trap,” I said.
Niel glanced at me. “It’s always a trap.”
“Not like this.”
“The eastern docks were mine. Every plank. Every warehouse. Every guard rotation. If Kailen wanted a battlefield, he would choose neutral ground. Not my childhood.”
“He wants you to be emotional,” Niel said quietly.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And I don’t oblige enemies.”
I leaned back slightly, jaw tight. Eyes shut right. The carving. The mark. It was too clean. Too deliberate. Kailen had baited me with Lina. Now he was baiting m
