Chapter 6 · Just Another Asset

"Move your ass, Venn!" Kane’s voice echoed off the narrow metal walls of the vent, sounding more like a snarl than a command.

He didn't wait for me. He just grabbed the collar of my jacket and hauled me forward, his palm hot against my neck. We were sliding through a two-meter-wide galvanized pipe, the air tasting like old grease and ozone. Every time we bumped into the side, the metal shrieked.

"Get off me!" I snapped, twisting my shoulder. "I can walk just fine without you treating me like a piece of luggage."

"You can't even see the exit," Kane retorted, his grip tightening. He pulled me flush against his chest to navigate a sharp bend. I could feel the steady, heavy thrum of his heart through the fabric of his tactical gear. It was too rhythmic. Too perfect. It didn't beat like a human heart; it beat like a machine keeping time.

"Stop staring at my chest and start moving," he muttered, his breath hitting my ear.

"I'm not staring. I'm wondering why you're so obsessed with keeping me alive when your company wants me dead," I shot back.

Kane paused, his body blocking the only way forward.