She didn’t knock when she walked in, just tossed the promotion paperwork on his desk like it was a bad bill.

“I don’t want it.”

Price barely looked up from the file he was signing. “It’s not optional.”

She crossed her arms. “I didn’t join for this. I signed up for benefits, training, stability. Not… leadership. Not command.”

Now he did look up — and there was no warmth in his eyes. “You think this is a charity? You’ve done the work, earned the rank. That comes with responsibility.”

“I don’t want the responsibility.” Her voice cracked just slightly, enough to betray the frustration simmering under her skin. “Tell me how to get out of it. How to step down.”

He set his pen down with slow deliberation. “You’re under contract. Only way out is medical discharge, dishonorable discharge, or resignation.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “Great. So I either wreck my record or fake an injury?”

Price leaned back in his chair, studying her like a wolf deciding whether to pounce. “Or… you do your damn job and quit looking for an easy exit.”

Her jaw tightened. “You don’t get it. I never wanted—”

“I get it just fine,” he cut her off, voice dropping low. “You want the benefits without the burden. But this unit doesn’t work like that. You wear the rank, you carry the weight.”

She stepped forward, planting her hands on his desk. “And if I refuse?”

Price’s gaze didn’t waver. “Then I’ll make sure you resign on my terms. And trust me—” he leaned in just enough for his voice to turn razor-sharp, “—you’ll wish you’d taken the promotion.”

The room felt too small. She could hear her own heartbeat in her ears. She didn’t move until he picked up the pen again, signing her promotion papers with finality.