Chapter 50 · You felt that?

She tried to pull away. He didn't let her hand fall.

"You felt that?" she asked.

"Every second."

"Good. Now tell me you can walk away and leave him behind."

Kade's face went blank for half a heartbeat. Then the control vanished from his eyes.

"No," he said. "I can't."

The answer should have satisfied her. It didn't. His thumb moved once against the fabric over her heart, a small, careful touch that made her breath catch.

"Don't do that," she said.

"Do what?"

"Make me remember you're not just the bastard who lied to me."

"I am still that bastard."

"I know."

"Good."

"And I still need your core."

"Then take it."

Her fingers tightened in his coat. "You said the lock needs a living anchor."

"It does."

"If you replace my brother, what happens to you?"

Kade didn't answer.

Evelyn shoved his hand away. "What happens to you?"

"The core burns out."

"And then?"

"Then I don't come back."

Mira swore over the comm. "You two have four minutes. Maybe three. I can cut the Crown line, but when I do, the rift will start closing. If your anchor isn't in place, it won't close clean. It'll snap."