Chapter 48 · Evelyn looked at the tunnel, then at Kade’s

Evelyn looked at the tunnel, then at Kade’s bleeding hand.

“You set this up,” she said.

“No.”

“You brought me to your old system because you knew it would accept me.”

“I suspected.”

Her fingers curled against his coat. “You suspected?”

“I didn’t know the bond would make you a living key.”

“But you knew I might get pulled in.”

Kade said nothing.

That silence gave her the answer.

Evelyn shoved him back against the console. The metal cracked behind his shoulders. “You knew.”

“I knew there was a chance.”

“You used me.”

“I needed someone the system couldn’t predict.”

“You could have asked.”

“You would have said no.”

“Correct.”

“I didn’t have time.”

“You always have time to point a weapon at me.”

His face tightened. “You think I wanted you dragged into this?”

“You don’t get to tell me what you wanted.”

“You’re right.”

The simple answer stopped her.

Kade lifted his uninjured hand and touched her wrist. Not gripping this time. Just two fingers against her pulse.

Her heartbeat kicked beneath his touch. His followed.

“Pull the key,” he said. “If you still think I’m lying after that, leave me here.”

“You can’t be serious.