“Permission to speak freely?” he asked.
It wasn’t directed at Maya.
It was directed at me.
—
I held his gaze for a second.
Then nodded once.
“Go ahead.”
—
He turned back to her.
“That patch,” he said carefully, “isn’t just a county insignia.”
Maya crossed her arms. “Oh my God, Daniel, don’t start—”
“No,” he cut in, firmer this time. “Listen.”