Something twists in Carver’s chest. He hasn’t meant for Turner to get tested—not like this, not just for showing off a little—but it’s too late to take it back. And it’s for the best, he tells himself. They need to be strong, they need to be focused. There’s no room for mistakes in what they do.

And it’s not like Pope does this for fun. His is the greatest burden of them all.

“Yes, sir,” he agrees. It has to be done. “Anything else?”

He finishes the glass. It burns in his throat but he doesn’t flinch.