Chapter 20 · Get the others through

He stepped down.

The breaker fired.

Kade turned and took the hit across his back.

The power wrapped around him. His body jerked, but he stayed standing.

Ayla reached for him. "Stop!"

"Get the others through."

"I'm not leaving you again."

"You promised."

"I promised they couldn't take your heart. I didn't promise to obey you."

"Close enough."

He reached the hatch and dropped one knee beside her.

Ayla grabbed his hand. His fingers were shaking now, but they closed around hers.

"If this kills you—"

"Then you'll have to haunt me."

"Don't joke."

"I'm not. You'd be unbearable as a ghost."

"You already think I'm unbearable."

"I think you're dangerous."

"That's not the same thing."

"It's close."

Their hands pressed together over the ledger's lock.

The hatch opened.

A black tunnel yawned beneath the generator. Sable shoved the injured workers inside first.

"Move!" he yelled. "Everybody move!"

The agents reached the stairs.

Ayla pulled Kade toward the opening. "Come on."

He stumbled. She caught him around the waist, and his arm came over her shoulders.