Chapter 7 · The File Was Bait

“Step away from the door, Niko.”

Tessa’s gun stayed trained on him.

Niko froze three feet from the safehouse entrance, both hands raised. A red targeting beam crawled up his throat.

Cael moved in front of her so fast his shoulder slammed into hers. Heat rolled off him. Through the heartlock, she felt his pulse—hard, fast, furious.

“Don’t,” Tessa snapped.

“Don’t block a shot aimed at my driver?” Cael asked.

“Don’t block mine.”

Niko gave them a thin smile. “Nice to see you two are still fighting.”

The door clicked behind him.

A voice came through the metal. “Niko Venn. You owe the Gray Hand seven years of interest. Open the door, or we cut out the part of you that remembers where you hid the file.”

Tessa’s finger tightened against the trigger. “What file?”

Niko looked at her.

That was answer enough.

Cael grabbed the back of her coat and hauled her away from the door. His fingers stayed hot against her neck.

“Take your hand off me.”

“You’re standing in the kill lane.”

“I’m standing where I can see.”

“You’re standing where they want you.