Chapter 29 · The Debt Was a Lie

"Put the gun down, Kade." Evelyn kept one hand on the stolen route chip and the other pressed against the Crown lock on the door. "If you shoot me, you lose your only way into Rift Two."

Kade stood between her and the exit, weapon raised, jaw tight. Red clearance lines crawled over his face from the lock panel. Outside, armored boots hammered across the metal bridge.

"You stole the route," he said.

"I stole a chance."

"You stole it from me."

"You were going to hand it to the Crown. Forgive me for not trusting your work ethic."

His finger tightened against the trigger.

Evelyn watched the muzzle, then his eyes. The gun was steady. His breathing wasn't. Every time the bond between them pulled tight, her own pulse jumped with his. Fast. Hard. Too close.

The lock flashed red.

A voice boomed through the door. "Evelyn Sable, step away from the enforcer. Kade Mercer, kneel and surrender your weapon. Your clearance has been revoked."

Kade's mouth twitched. "They revoked me?"

"Sounds personal."

"They don't revoke me. They erase me."

The bridge shook under another impact. Dust dropped from the ceiling.