Chapter 16 · When He Drops the Badge

"Take that badge off, and every soldier outside gets the right to shoot you."

Dorian's thumb hooked under the black service seal at his collar.

The armored car had gone dark around us. Every lamp. Every display. Dead.

Outside, boots slammed against the steel doors.

"They already have the right," he said. "They just need an order to make it legal."

"And you're planning to hand them one?"

"I'm planning to keep you alive long enough to crack the case."

He ripped the badge free.

The little iron plate dropped into my palm, hot from his skin. His fingers stayed over mine for half a second too long.

The car lurched.

My shoulder hit the wall. Dorian caught my waist before my head could follow.

His body pinned me between him and the case. Heat pressed through his uniform. His breath brushed my cheek.

"Don't," I whispered.

"Don't what?"

"Don't look at me like I'm the only person on this train who can save you."

His jaw locked. "You are."

A rifle butt smashed into the rear door.

"Commander Vale!