Chapter 24 · The timer hit ten. Victor's voice returned, colder now

"You put a gun to my head and locked me in a machine. Sounds like a bargain to me."

The timer hit ten.

Victor's voice returned, colder now. "Commander, last warning."

Selena shoved the card into Kane's palm.

Her fingers stayed over his for one sharp second.

"If you betray me," she whispered, "I won't wait for a firing line."

Kane closed his hand around the card. "If I betray you, you won't get the chance."

Her gaze held his. "That wasn't reassuring."

"It wasn't meant to be."

He slammed the keycard into the emergency port.

The aircraft woke with a violent jolt. Lights snapped on. The canopy unlocked, but the side doors blew outward before Victor's soldiers could cut through them.

Selena grabbed Kane's harness as the suction pulled loose equipment into the air.

"Move!"

They spilled onto the launch deck together. Kane hit the ground first. Selena landed on top of him, one hand braced against his chest, her face close enough for him to feel her breath.

Rifle lasers crossed over her shoulder.

Kane rolled, dragging her behind the aircraft's broken wing.