Chapter 23 · The Mask Comes Off

"Take off the mask, Derrick. Or I'll take it off for you."

Dorian's deputy stood behind armored glass with a pistol pressed to Mara's brother's temple. The live feed shook with every hit of the train, breaking the image into strips of gray, blood, and metal.

Derrick lifted one gloved hand.

"Still giving orders, Commander?" His voice came through the speaker, calm and almost bored. "You lost that privilege when you married the woman who blew up your train."

Mara stepped toward the screen. The contract seal burned cold around her wrist.

Dorian caught her elbow before she reached the control panel.

"Don't touch it."

"Let go."

"The room is wired."

"Then stop holding me like I'm the bomb."

His grip tightened for half a second. Heat spread through the thin fabric of her sleeve. He smelled like gun oil, iron, and the sharp mint he chewed when he was trying not to lose his temper.

"I'm holding you because Derrick wants you angry," Dorian said. "He'll use that."

"He already used my brother."

On the screen, Elias jerked against the chair. His lip was split.