Chapter 12 · Put it on

He swore under his breath, yanked a safety harness from the wall, and shoved it against my chest.

"Put it on."

I looked at the harness, then at him. "You have one?"

"One usable harness."

"And you?"

"I'll hold the rail."

"That's not a plan."

"It's the only one we have."

I threw the harness back at him. "No."

His hand closed around the strap before it hit the floor. "Mara."

"If one of us gets the only safety line, it should be the man who knows how to reach the brakes."

"You're wearing it."

"You're the one who can stop this train."

"And you're the one the tribunal wants alive long enough to open that case."

He came closer, his voice dropping. "Put it on, or I'll put it on for you."

I lifted my chin. "Try."

His gaze dragged over me. The harness hung between us, black straps against my coat. His fingers flexed once.

Then he moved.

Dorian caught my waist, spun me toward the wall, and pulled the harness around me. His knuckles brushed my ribs as he tightened the first strap.

Practical. Fast.

My body didn't care.

His chest pressed to my back.