Lex’s ego had gotten him into trouble before.

Usually with enemies.

Occasionally with governments.

Apparently, today it was going to be with his own team.

The operation had gone spectacularly wrong. Their target had escaped, half their equipment had been destroyed, and everyone had returned to headquarters in a mood that could charitably be described as murderous.

The last thing anyone wanted was a lecture from Lex.

Naturally, Lex gave them one.

He paced in front of the assembled League, dissecting every mistake with the cold precision of a man who had somehow never made one himself.

“This was embarrassing,” he snapped. “I entrusted all of you with one simple objective, and somehow you’ve managed to turn it into a complete—”

He singled her out.

She’d already been irritated before they’d even returned. Hotheaded on a good day, she had very little patience for being repeatedly provoked.

Lex either didn’t know that or didn’t care.

“You, in particular, were completely useless.”

The room went silent.

Bane glanced away.

Riddler muttered, “Oh, dear.”

Joker actually smiled.

Slade watched her carefully.

Lex continued.

“You have the tactical discipline of a spoiled child.”

That did it.

She moved before anyone could react.

One moment she was standing across the room.

The next, she was on him.

Lex barely managed to stumble backward before she slammed into him, knocking him against the desk. A blade flashed in her hand.

“Fuck!”

The League surged forward.

She fought like someone who’d been waiting for an excuse.

Bane grabbed for her and missed.

Joker tried to intercept her and immediately regretted it.

Riddler retreated several steps.

Even Lex managed to get in a desperate shove before she came at him again.

Then Slade moved.

He caught her from behind, one arm locking around her upper body and ripping her away from Lex before the blade could find its target.

She fought him immediately.

Slade barely moved.

He dragged her backward against his chest, controlling her arms while keeping his own weapon pressed against her throat—not cutting, simply making the consequence unmistakably clear.

“Enough.”

She continued struggling.

“Calm down.”

Her breathing came hard and fast. Her eyes remained fixed on Lex, fury practically radiating from her.

Slade tightened his hold just enough to keep her contained.

“Don’t make me put you down.”

Slowly, she stopped fighting.

Not because she was calm.

Because she was exhausted.

The room fell completely silent.

Lex stared at her, then at the blade in Slade’s hand.

For once, even he seemed to realize he’d pushed the situation far beyond an ordinary argument.

Slade didn’t take his eyes off her.

“You done?”

She remained rigid against him, still glaring at Lex.

Nobody answered.

Because everyone in the room knew exactly who had started this.

And for once, Lex had absolutely no one to blame but himself.