"If you were no longer of any use to me here, but it wouldn't do to have to you dead. That would be a very good reason."

He stood up, looming over her.

"That boy of yours is after me enough. I'd rather not spur him on with your mutilated corpse."

Not yet, at least. And if half that pair of lovebirds vanished, the other half would be left for the taking. It worked out any which way.