"Nigel, you better stop dreaming," Ss muttered, his tone cold as nced at Nigel. With Calliope''s hand firmly in his, he headed for the door.


    "Ms. Jewell, I''ll take care of what you asked me to do," Nigel called out, craning his neck for effect. "Let''s grab a meal sometime to show my thanks."


    Calliope didn''t dare to respond. She could feel the storm brewing around Ss. He was upset.


    She knew the rivalry between Nigel and Ss well. While they weren''t exactly sworn enemies, their rtionship wasplicated. They had once been brothers in arms. It was a fact few knew, and she had stumbled upon it by ident. She was sure Ss would grieve if Nigel died.


    Portia shed Nigel a quick smile, waved goodbye, and hurried to catch up with Calliope and Ss. Out in the hallway, Calliope noticed the lineup of bodyguards. Nigel''s men stood against the wall, staring down Ss''s crew in a tense standoff. Damien and Fagan were there, too, nodding respectfully at her. Shocked by the scene, Portia cautiously followed behind Calliope and Ss.


    As they reached the elevator, with Ss and Calliope at the front, Portia stood behind them, nked by Fagan and Damien and a sea of bodyguards. It was quite the spectacle. Anyone thinking of joining them in the elevator reconsidered quickly.


    Calliope could feel the tension and nced up at Ss.


    "Are you mad?" she ventured. "I can exin. I had a reason to ask Nigel for help. I couldn''t stand by and let someone die. It wasn''t just because it was Nigel. I would''ve done the same for a stranger."


    "Don''t be mad, okay?" she pleaded.


    Ss''s frown deepened.


    "But you got hurt!" he said, his voice tight with concern.


    "Oh, that? It''s just a little burn," Calliope replied, waving it off with a smile. "It''ll heal in no time. No big deal."


    "I won''t allow you to get harmed," Ss said, his voice firm.


    When the elevator doors opened, Ss stepped inside briskly. Calliope hurried in after him.


    Portia hesitated, noticing that Fagan and Damien were staying put.


    "Aren''t youing in?"


    "We''ll catch the next one," Damien replied, not daring to enter and risk the fallout of Ss''s mood.


    "Okay, I''ll wait with you," Portia decided, retreating with a sympathetic look toward Calliope. "You two have a good chat."


    As the elevator doors closed, the chill in the air intensified.


    Calliope looked up at Ss, attempting to lighten the mood. She reached for his hand, giving it a gentle


    shake in a yful, coaxing manner. "Honey, please don''t be mad. Even if Nigel''s still around, you''re way more impressive than him, right?"


    "Whether he lives or dies isn''t my concern," Ss replied, his voice still icy.