Chapter 10 · You knew this place mattered

He said nothing.

I grabbed his coat collar and slammed him against the nearest console. The dead screen rattled behind his head.

"You knew this place mattered," I said. "You knew the warrant was tied to my case. So tell me what you found."

His hands came up, not touching me. "Take your hand off my collar."

"Make me."

His eyes dropped to my fingers twisted in his coat. His throat moved once.

"You really want to do this now?"

"I want the truth now."

"The truth gets you killed."

"That hasn't stopped anyone before."

"You think I don't know that?"

The sharp edge in his voice hit the bond. Pain followed it. Not mine. His.

I leaned closer. "What did you see?"

"Nothing useful."

"Try again."

"A transfer log."

"Where is it?"

"Gone."

"Who took it?"

"I don't know."

I pressed him harder against the console. "Julian."

His eyes flashed. "Don't say my name like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you're trying to pull an answer out of me with your teeth."

"Maybe I am."

The bond went hot.

His breath caught. Mine did too.

For a second, neither of us moved.