Chapter 28 · Shaky Truce

"Touch that door and I break your wrist." Mira's forearm locked across my throat before my fingers reached the exit panel.

I stopped with my hand inches from the red-lit switch. Her body pressed against my back, close enough for me to feel the heat through my shirt. One mistake, and the corporate enforcer would slam my face into the steel wall.

"You always greet allies like this?" I asked.

"You're not my ally. You're a wanted murderer wearing a dead kid's face."

"Then why are you standing behind me instead of shooting?"

Her grip tightened. The edge of her armored sleeve dug into my neck.

"Because the people outside want you alive for five minutes. I want answers first."

"That's almost sweet."

"Don't flirt with me."

"You heard flirting? I was asking why you're shaking."

The pressure vanished for half a second. That was all I needed.

I drove my elbow back. Mira twisted with it, caught my arm, and used my momentum to spin me into the wall. Metal struck my shoulder.