"It's not." He answered immediately, with no hesitation and absolute conviction in his voice. "It's not a set up, Joe. You might not believe him, but trust me."

He could still hear the pain and surprise in Booker's voice when he'd said that he was there to make sure Book hadn't made his mistake again. Back when he'd thought that his mistake had been Merrick and not shoving them away to wallow in his own despair.

"He is not that man anymore."

As for the rest? Well, what could he say to it? He knew it was a trap. He knew that whoever was baiting the trap would know what prey they were hunting. He knew that all sniper nests would probably be covered by their own surveillance. He knew all of that, and yet he still brought Joe's hand to his lips to kiss his fingers before he reached out to grab for his boots.

"If I left him, I'd be no better than Merrick."