Chapter 6 · The Alley Changes Its Mind

"Put me down."

Cade's grip on my wrist doesn't loosen. We're three resets deep and he's dragging me like I'm cargo.

"Not a chance," he says.

"I can run."

"You trip. Every time."

I yank my arm. He doesn't let go. The alley's the same—dumpster, fire escape, broken brick. Nine minutes till it all snaps back. The courier's body is two blocks behind us now, and the phone's still in my jacket, hot against my ribs.

"I didn't trip," I say. "I stopped."

"Same result." His jaw's tight. "You get shot."

"So do you."

He pulls me around the corner, checks left, then right. His hand's still locked on my wrist. I can feel his pulse through his glove. Fast. Controlled. Like everything else about him.

"Difference is," he says, "I've done this before."

"Done what? Dragged women through alleys?"

His mouth twitches. Not quite a smile. "Among other things."

I twist my wrist and this time he lets go. I stumble back a step, catching my breath. My ribs ache where the phone's pressed. Nix has been quiet for two resets now. That's never good.

"Look," I say, "I'm not your job."

"You are exactly my job.