Chapter 31 · The Kill List

"Move, Kael!" Jaxon slammed his shoulder into the blast door as bullets chewed through the metal behind us.

"I am moving!" I fired over his arm. "You're the one blocking the damn exit."

"Then shoot faster."

The door buckled. A red targeting beam slid across Jaxon's back and stopped at the base of his neck.

I grabbed his jacket and yanked him sideways just as the round punched through. Heat kissed my cheek. Jaxon hit the floor, rolled, and came up with his pistol already aimed at my chest.

"You just saved me," he said.

"Don't get emotional. I needed the door open."

His eyes dropped to my hand still twisted in his jacket. His breath came hard, warm against the side of my face. We were too close. His knee pressed against mine. His fingers closed around my wrist, not gentle, not quite rough enough to hurt.

"Let go," he said.

"You first."

Another burst hammered the door.

Jaxon glanced toward the red beam. "We have ten seconds before the hounds cut through."

"Nine," I said.

"You count fast."

"I kill fast too. Ask your friends."

His mouth tightened.