Chapter 21 · Branded Partners

"Move." Adrian's hand closed around her wrist before Mara could pull the door shut.

"Let go."

"Not until you stop pretending you can walk back in there." He dragged her sideways, into the service corridor behind the records hall. The chief inspector's voice was still echoing through the main floor, calling her name like a warrant.

"I'm not running from my own team." She tried to twist free. His grip didn't budge.

"Your team just branded you a breach vessel. You walk back in there, they'll lock you down before you finish explaining."

She hated that he was right. Hated the way her pulse kicked up when his thumb pressed against the inside of her wrist, like he was checking if she believed him yet. "You're the one they want. I'm just collateral."

"Wrong." He pulled her deeper into the corridor, past the old filing cabinets and the flickering overhead bulb. "They named you first. I'm the accomplice."

The word landed like a brand. She stopped fighting and looked at him. His jaw was tight, his eyes tracking the sound of boots in the hall behind them. He wasn't lying.