Chapter 8 · Are you insane?

The drone's targeting light settled over Kade's forehead.

Evelyn saw the next shot charge.

She moved before she could think.

She stepped between them.

The drone fired.

The blast missed her by inches and ripped through the transport wall. Heat slapped across her cheek. Kade grabbed her waist and hauled her down as another shot tore through the ceiling.

"Are you insane?" he barked.

"You're welcome."

"I didn't ask you to stand in front of me."

"You were in the way."

He pinned her beneath him, one palm flat beside her head. His body shielded hers while the drone scanned for a clean angle. His breath hit her cheek, hot and uneven.

"You felt that pain," he said.

"You think?"

"If I die, you die."

"I figured that out when my chest tried to fold in half."

"Then stop protecting me."

"Make me."

His eyes dropped to hers.

For one dangerous second, the gunfire disappeared. There was only the heat of him, the rough drag of his breath, and the hard beat of his pulse under her hand.

The case between them pulsed brighter.

Kade looked toward it. "The core is reacting to you."

"It likes me."

"It recognizes you."