[ If only it were that easy. He knows she hates it when he closes off, emotions shuttered, leaving only Dirtyhands behind. But that part of him would've kept Inej out of Van Eck's grasp. Would've saved them all the heartache and worry during the time she was gone.

Somehow, though, that boy from Lij had crawled up instead, worry and fear easily read by anyone looking. And he knows it would probably show again, if she were ever put in danger's path again. None of the logic works to assuage the anxiety—it doesn't matter that she can more than handle herself. He just wants her to be alright. To know she's doing fine. ]

Do I? [ It feels like all he's done lately is bring misery. There's a whole long line of it behind him too—Filip, Saskia, the fake bank clerks, and everyone else between him and Pekka Rollins. ]

Showing it is just going to get us in trouble again. I don't want to give them the option of using us as weapons against each other.