Chapter 27 · It's a scratch

She looked down. A thin red line had spread beneath her jacket where the stun round had grazed her side.

"It's a scratch."

"You said that last time. Then you almost stopped breathing."

The fear in his voice was quick, buried under anger, but she heard it.

So did he.

Cain's gaze dropped to her mouth again. His thumb pressed against the inside of her wrist, counting her pulse.

"Say it," she whispered.

"Say what?"

"That you were scared."

His jaw worked. "Climb."

"Coward."

He leaned closer, his forehead almost touching hers. "I was scared. Happy?"

The words came rough. Too honest. His breath warmed her cheek.

Lila forgot the pain for half a second.

Then the service door behind them buckled.

Cain turned and lifted her onto the ladder. "Go."

"You first."

"Lila—"

"I said you first. If you fall, I can't drag you."

His mouth twitched despite the gunfire. "Bossy."

"Alive. There's a difference."

He climbed beneath her, one hand hovering near her boot without touching. Every time the ladder shook, his shoulder pressed against her leg.

At the top, the girl pulled Lila through the hatch.