Chapter 25 · Welcome Back to Hell

"Don't touch the deck, Cole." Eve's hand closed around his wrist before his fingers reached the black case.

Her nails dug in hard enough to hurt. Her breath brushed his cheek. Close. Too close for a warning and way too close for a woman who had just sold him to the Council.

Cole looked at her grip, then at her face. "You want to try that again without the part where you pretend this is for my safety?"

"I said don't touch it."

"And I heard you." He twisted, but she stepped in, shoulder against his chest, using his balance against him. "Here's the problem. I don't take orders from people who put a price on my head."

Her jaw tightened. "You don't know what I did."

"I know the Council's waiting behind that door. I know the locks on this room were built for Pact Holders. And I know your name was on the transfer notice. Want to explain the cute little coincidence?"

The black case sat between them on the iron table. Seven locks held it shut. Red lines crawled under the metal like hot veins. Every time Cole pulled against Eve's grip, one of those lines flashed.