Chapter 6 · The Clinic That Takes Favors

Darian's gun stays level with my chest. His people fan out behind him, rifles up, and I'm standing in a fake clinic with Kade slumped against the wall and my sister's voice still looping in my head.

I should've known. The moment that operator said Elise's name, I should've turned around and run.

"Mara." Darian steps through the busted door like he owns the place. Maybe he does. "You made this harder than it needed to be."

Kade's shoulder digs into the plaster. His pupils are blown, sweat running down his temples, and his hand's locked around my wrist so tight I can feel my pulse hammering against his thumb. The operator—whoever the hell they really are—backs toward the corner, hands raised, playing innocent.

"You set this up," I say. My voice comes out flat. "You used her name."

"We used what worked." Darian tilts his head at Kade. "He's company property. You know that. And you just delivered him."

Kade's grip tightens. I glance down and his eyes are locked on Darian, but there's no fight left in him. The recall signal's still tearing through his skull.