Chapter 25 · Blood Run

"Put the knife down, Kai." Marek's pistol pressed under my jaw. "Or I put you down with it in your hand."

I kept the blade against Vala's throat.

She stood between my knees, soaked coat dripping onto the concrete floor, one hand locked around my wrist. Her fingers were cold. Her grip wasn't.

"Tell your old man to lower the gun," she said.

"Tell your old man's favorite assassin to stop trying to break my wrist."

Marek's jaw tightened. "Vala isn't your enemy right now."

"She chased me through three districts. She shot my bike apart. She put a round through Jax's skull. Want to explain the loyalty angle?"

Vala's eyes cut toward me. Gray. Hard. Too close to mine.

"Jax sold your location," she said. "I didn't kill him for fun."

"You expect me to feel better?"

"No. I expect you to stay alive long enough to hate me properly."

The pistol dug harder beneath my jaw.

"Enough," Marek snapped. "Kai, release her. Vala, take one step back. Both of you, now."

Nobody moved.

Water ran from Vala's hair onto her cheek. I could smell rain, gun oil, and the sharp metallic edge of blood. Mine, probably.