"She's right, Jones," Austin interrupted smoothly, a smirk tugging at his lips. His tone was calm, almost lazy, but it carried an undercurrent of menace. "The fact that you touched the female traitor without informing me already warrants punishment. But I'm feeling generous. Now that Ayra is back, I'll let her handle the matter however she sees fit. The traitors are doomed, of course, but their deaths will be by her hand." His eyes flicked to Scarlett, a glint of amusement and admiration in them.
Scarlett forced herself to smile, leaning in to press a light kiss to Austin's cheek. "Thank you, Austin. I'll better rest tonight and gain my strength so as to punish them better tomorrow than dealing with them now that I'm weak," she said sweetly, though internally she loathed every second of the gesture.
