Chapter 14 · Dead Drop Bait

"Don’t move, Kane." The voice came from behind him, using the exact tone he used before a kill.

Kane stopped with one boot half-lifted over the broken service door.

Vera’s hand closed around the back of his jacket. Her fingers dug into the fabric, warm through the armor mesh. "That’s not you, right?"

"No."

The soldier behind them fired.

Kane twisted. The round clipped his shoulder plate and punched into the wall. Vera yanked him sideways as another shot cracked past his ear. They hit the floor together, her knee slamming into his thigh, his palm catching the concrete beside her head.

"You said this place was empty," she snapped.

"It was."

"Great. I love a changing plan."

Three figures moved through the smoke beyond the door. No heat signatures. No heartbeats. Their armor looked like old corporate riot gear, but their faces were hidden behind black polymer masks. Each one carried a compact rifle. Each one stood exactly where Kane would have placed them.

His spine burned.

The neural link flashed a warning across his vision.

PREDICTIVE COMBAT LOOP DETECTED.

Vera saw the display reflected in his eyes.