Chapter 18 · I stepped around Riven

"A contract asset. A blood-key. A little thief who was bought before she had a name."

I stepped around Riven. "Keep talking."

His hand caught my waist and dragged me back before my foot crossed the next seam. His fingers spread against my coat. The contact was firm, hot, and way too familiar for a man I still wasn't sure I could trust.

"Stay beside me," he said.

"Move your hand."

"When you stop trying to walk into the river."

"I wasn't walking into the river."

"You were threatening Evelyn."

"Those aren't mutually exclusive."

A bolt flew between our heads.

Riven twisted. His arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me against his chest as the bolt buried itself in the railing behind us.

For one second, I felt his heartbeat under my cheek.

Fast. Heavy. Alive.

"Still think I should move my hand?" he murmured.

"Yes."

He didn't.

The bridge cracked again.

This time, a whole slab broke away behind us. Two inspectors jumped back. One slipped, caught the edge, and screamed.

Evelyn didn't look at him. "Leave him."

"You're charming," I said.

"I'm efficient."

"You're going to kill everyone on this bridge for a ledger?"

"No.