"Yes." He thinks he manages to keep it sounding matter-of-fact, but he must not have completely pulled it off, based on the way Steve's jaw sets. "Hopefully not too much. But we're going to be among a mess of backstabbing cutthroats who want to each prove they're top dog."

The disdain flickers in his eyes, although his expression remains coolly assessing. "They'll try to poke. We just have to keep our protectees safe without poking back hard enough that all hell breaks loose."