I am loyal to our cause. He wondered if he was really picking up on the hidden grimace behind her words, or was imagining it because… he wanted it there.

Not now. Leave it. Leave it.

Cassian shifted his arm to rest around her shoulders, where he could turn them toward each other and he could say more quietly still, satisfied nobody but her could hear, "That I answer to the Admiral, not to him. And I might consider doing as he asked, but I won't be threatened.

"Incidentally: I've considered it and decided to reject it."