There was a brief pause.
"Kade is dead."
Dennis's head snapped back toward him.
The weight of those words hung in the air.
"Helping Ava escape," Nolan added. "And we know she's here."
Missy stiffened beside him. Dennis didn't move.
His expression didn't change. His heart didn't race. His breathing remained steady.
He blinked slowly, then tilted his head just slightly, as if considering. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said smoothly. "Who is Ava?"
Nolan let out a sharp exhale, frustration flickering across his face. "Dennis, it's me. Come on."
Dennis kept his expression blank.
"Is Lucas just fishing for a reason to fight?" he asked instead.
"Quite the contrary," Nolan said. "He wants to talk."
Missy snorted. "It's a trap."
Dennis glanced at her and nodded slightly in agreement.
Nolan sighed. "He says he wants to talk, Dennis. But if you refuse, he will have no choice but to attack. You are still on his land."
