Chapter 31 · Don't Touch Me

The gun's shaking in his hand. Kade's finger's on the trigger and I can see every tendon locked tight, fighting itself. His eyes are wet. His mouth's moving but no sound's coming out except this broken exhale that sounds like he's tearing in half.

"Mara." Elara's voice cuts through from the chair. "Run. Now."

I don't move. I'm three steps from Kade and the muzzle's pointed straight at my chest. The red dot on his temple is pulsing faster now, synced to something I can't hear. Crowe's voice is still echoing through the speakers, smooth and patient like he's got all night.

"Let's see if proximity matters," Crowe says. "Or if the override only works when you're calm."

Kade's arm jerks. The gun moves half an inch to the left, then snaps back. He makes this sound, low in his throat, and I realize he's trying to say my name. Trying to warn me. His whole body's locked in a fight with itself and I can see which side's winning.

The kill code's louder than him.

"Kade." I take another step. "Look at me."

"Don't." It comes out strangled. His jaw's clenched so hard I hear his teeth grinding.