The Rules Are Changing

Dante

I felt it, the second I entered the infirmary. That bitter, winding twist of something I wouldn’t name—falling low in my chest. She was lying in the cot, limp and quiet, one of her arms extended for the doctor to swab clean the injury on it. Blood had stained the fabric beneath her, dried black on her skin. She didn’t flinch, not once. Nico stood by the door. He went rigid the moment he saw me and snapped to attention.

“She’s stable,” he said. “Just a surface cut. Nothing life threatening.” I nodded slightly, but my eyes were already glued to hers. Valeria. The woman that had been pulled into this world a mere few weeks ago — and who was supposed to be a tool. Now she was another thing altogether.

“She initially declined backup,” Nico said. “Told us to go take care of the fight while she delayed Rami’s men. We got a good twenty seconds on them with that jump. Maybe more.” I said nothing. I flicked my eyes to the bandage, the edges of it already soaked through.

“She improvised,” Nico continued. “Used broken glass. Took one of them out before we reached her.” My brow twitched. So she wasn’t all bluffing and tough talk. She had teeth when pushed into a corner. I crossed my arms, pointedly not acknowledging the tightening in my chest from grudging approval. “And the shipment?”

“Secured. All of the amulets and all of the money.”

I gave a curt nod. “Good.” But even as the word came out of my mouth, a curious kind of dissatisfied unease began to stir in me. She had done well. Too well. And I hated that I respected her for it. I inched closer, observing as the doctor wrap her arm in fresh bandages. Her hair was slicked back, her face pale but serene. Her teeth ground together, as if she wouldn’t admit to more pain even now. The girl didn’t break easily. She didn't even look at me.

“Trying to be a hero now?” I demanded bitterly, my voice freezing and dry. “What are you going to do next. Save puppies and lead the revolution?” Her head remained bowed. She said nothing. The atmosphere in the room changed. I turned a little to glance at Nico standing behind me, his arms crossed. He spoke with a quiet but firm voice.

“She endangered herself to give us time. If she hadn’t done that, we would not have gotten the shipment out clean. She wasn’t attempting to hang tough, we can hardly say that of her, boss—she was tough.” I raised an eyebrow. That was new. A week ago, Marco had barely put up with her. Now he was defending her?

My eyes returned to Valeria. Her chin remained down, her shoulders tight, the bandage wrapped tight on her wrist like a war medal. I didn’t know what it was, but something in her demeanor — in the way she didn’t fight back, snap or flare up — made something in me twist. She looked… small. But not weak. Wounded. Because of me?

No. No, I don’t care. I snorted quietly and turned on my heels.

“Wrap her up,” I muttered. “And warn her not to play soldier next time.” Nico nodded. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.

“Stupid girl.”

I muttered under my breathe, quieter—softer, just for me to hear.

“Stupid bastard,” I muttered. “Since when do you care?” But the worst part? I did. And I hated myself for it.

---

I bursted into the strategy room angry enough to make the air shut up before I said a word. They were there already, all three of them—Marco, and Nico, and Enzo—they were standing up, stiff with apprehension. They had reason to be. They had just returned from a mission that should have been near perfect and instead had nearly been a disaster. And Valeria had bled for it. I shut the door hard behind me, and they stood up even straighter, like trees bracing against wind.

“You’ve got five seconds to clarify how the hell one god damned woman currently had a gun pointed at her head in your care,” I snarled, walking back and forth in front of them.

Marco opened his mouth first. “Boss, everything was going great in the plan until Rami switched the deal. He doubled the price—”

“Did I ask for excuses?” I snapped. He shut his mouth immediately.

Nico shifted slightly. “We never thought he’d take her hostage, boss. She signaled us to act—”

“And what?” I snapped. “You were there and watched that happen?” Their silence was answer enough. I ceased to walk back and forth, and brought my hand down with force upon the table.

“She isn’t trained,” I spat. “She isn’t one of you. She’s not military. She’s not anything. And she still had to buy you time with her blood.”

They flinched.

Good.

“She bought you time,” I repeated again, slower this time. “With a broken glass and a split second instinct. Meanwhile the three of you waited for authority, seasoned, armed." Not one of them would look me in the eye.

“Tell me another time,” I said darkly. “How in the hell that punk Rami’s pulled one over on my boys.”

Marco gave it another go, this time a little more softly. “We underestimated his men. It won’t happen again.”

I scoffed.

I whirled around, snatching my phone from the table and speed dialing a number I didn't even have to see. The line connected almost immediately. “Salim,” I said coldly. “Your man the docks, he went too far. Held one of mine hostage. Threatened the deal.” There was a pause on the other end. I didn’t wait.

“I don’t care if he’s that valuable to you,” I said. “You let him know who he’s talking to next time you send him to me. And if it ever happens again, I’ll actually do it and burn the bridge. We’re done. No more deals.” The guy on the other line stuttered but I didn’t give a shit to decode it. I ended the call. The three men didn’t move. I turned back to face them, voice cold.

“And now,” I said, “go get your spanking.” Enzo nodded briskly and stepped aside, Nico trailing him with eyes downcast. But Marco… Marco stayed rooted. His jaw tensed.

“Why is she not being penalized?” he asked, cautiously but firmly. “You guys have always held teams accountable as a team.” His words struck something. He was right. I always penalized them as a whole. No exceptions. Weak lights or strong, none were ever spared. So why, after all, wasn’t I punishing her? Why didn’t I want to? There was blood in her for you, something in me whispered. For being braver than any of them today, anyway. I felt my chest tightening again — that same feeling I hated. The one I couldn’t explain.

I gave Marco a glare that could have killed him and spoke in a low, harsh voice. “Would you like to be punished again for doubting me?” He stared, staring for his very life.

“No, boss,” he muttered.

“Then get out of my sight.” They all turned to leave. However, right before they arrived at the door, I pulled the one that had protected her in the infirmary aside.

“Nico,” I said sharply. He turned back, unsure.

“Tell Valeria to stay off her feet. No work. No missions,” I said, squinting my eyes. “I can’t stand having a cripple for subordinates.”