Chapter 10 · Your Ex Sold You Out

"Sloane, don't be stupid. Step away from it."

Cole's gun was already up. Not shaking. Trained right on Kael's chest while Kael was flat on his back on the concrete, blood on his mouth, trying not to die.

"He's not an it," I snapped. My palm was on Kael's sternum and I could feel his heartbeat stuttering through the link. Like a bad wire. Like my own chest was misfiring.

"Fine. Step away from the weapon," Cole said. He flicked his eyes to me. That same calm, reasonable voice he used when he was about to screw me over. "You don't know what you're linked to, Sloane."

"And you do?" I said. "Since when do you get briefings from my father?"

Kael made a sound. Low. Rough. His fingers twitched against my wrist.

"Don't," he rasped. At me. Not Cole. "Don't talk to him."

His voice was shredded. His skin was too hot. The link between us was buzzing so loud my teeth hurt.

Cole took a step closer. Expensive shoes on dirty concrete.