"Do you think I don't keep track of you," he asked, giving her a sly look before taking another drink.

"Or pissed that I took over," he said, admitting it was another option. "I can accept if you were pissed but I didn't want some of the dangerous ones out there coming for you because you have a hell of a reputation now," he noted.

"I'm not good with freelance. I work with an extractor. I like the connection where I know I'm more than hired help."