Chapter 20 · Cleaned the room

"Cleaned the room."

"You killed him in front of her."

"He was reaching for a blade."

"You didn't have to break his neck."

"Yes, I did."

"No, you didn't. You wanted him to know he was helpless."

Reid looked down at the dead man's visor. "He knew that before I touched him."

Mira shoved him back. "You're not a person when you do that."

His head turned slowly toward her. "Say that again."

She didn't retreat. Her breath came fast, and her eyes stayed on his face instead of the body between them.

"I said you scare me when you go cold like that."

That answer stopped him.

Mira's hand was still fisted in his collar. Her knuckles brushed his throat. She realized where she was touching him and pulled back, but not before Reid felt the heat of her palm.

"You should be scared," he said.

"I am. I just haven't decided if I'm scared of you or of what you become when someone threatens her."

"You keep asking me to leave her."

"Because the entire city is hunting you."

"Then stop helping the city."

A heavy thump came from the kitchen.

Mira spun and fired through the doorway.