Chapter 54 · The Three-Minute Fuse

"Touch that case again, and I'll put you on the floor myself."

Dorian's hand clamped around my wrist before my fingers reached the iron latches.

The armored train lurched. His chest slammed into my back, hot breath cutting across my ear as the case skidded over the metal table between us.

"Get off me."

"Then stop trying to open a military evidence lock with a hairpin."

"It was working until you grabbed me."

"It was about to trigger the kill seal."

I twisted, but he held on. Not hard enough to bruise me. Just enough to stop me.

That was worse.

He knew exactly how much pressure it took to control me.

"You have ten minutes before the next checkpoint," I said. "If that case reaches High Command locked, my brother dies in his cell. You get shot the second they see your face. So help me, Officer Vale, or let go."

His eyes dropped to my mouth for half a second.

Then he released me.

"You always threaten people when you're scared?"

"You always stand this close when you're lying?"

The train screamed around a bend. Bolts rattled overhead.