Chapter 21 · A Throne With No Buyer

"You're not going alone."

Gabriel didn't stop tightening the strap across his chest.

He stood in the armory doorway with blood soaking through the bandage at his ribs, one hand braced against the steel frame. His coat was half-buttoned. A rifle hung from his shoulder. Two pistols sat low against his hips.

He looked like he planned to walk into hell and charge it rent.

"Move, Elena."

"No."

His eyes cut to me. "That wasn't a request."

"Good. Then you won't mind hearing the answer." I stepped in front of the door. "You're not going to the old northern mine without me."

Behind him, three guards shifted their weight. Nobody spoke. Nobody needed to. They had seen Gabriel walk away from explosions, bullets, and men who wanted his head on a wall.

They hadn't seen me put a bullet through Julian Moore's shoulder on a live broadcast.

They hadn't seen me tear up the contract that made me collateral.

I had no intention of letting them watch Gabriel decide my life for me again.

"The Syndicate asked for you to come alone," he said.

"They asked for me to bring your command key."

"Exactly.