Chapter 23 · The First Mara

"Step away from the terminal, Mara!"

Eli's hand clamped around my arm and yanked me back just as the file opened.

The screen flashed white. My knees slammed into the metal floor. Eli dropped with me, one shoulder shoved between my body and the terminal like bone and stubbornness could block whatever waited inside.

"You said you wouldn't stop me."

"I said I wouldn't let you read that. Different promise."

"Cute. Move."

I shoved at his chest.

He caught both my wrists and pinned them to the floor. His palm was hot. His face hovered inches above mine, jaw locked, eyes fixed on the terminal over my shoulder.

Behind us, the clinic alarms screamed.

"Mara, listen to me. That file is bait."

"So are you."

His grip tightened. Not enough to hurt. Enough to remind me exactly who had the advantage.

"You think I dragged you across half the city, took three memory darts, and fought my way into this place so Quinn could finish a job?"

"I think you knew there were other versions of me." I pulled against him. "I think you knew the first one was here.