Chapter 15 · Then Stop Refusing to Give Me the Truth

"Then stop refusing to give me the truth."

I twisted inside Ronan's hold.

His face went still.

There it was again. That tiny pause before he lied.

"Ronan."

"This isn't the time."

"It's always the time when you're the one holding the knife."

A sharp blast thundered from below.

The smuggler boat broke through the blockade and spun toward the lower channel.

Dax shouted from the bridge, "The gate's opening!"

"Get off the water!" Ronan roared.

"Can't! The engine's dead!"

Ronan shoved me behind the control pillar and drew the short blade from his belt.

"Stay here."

"Try ordering me again."

He turned toward the stairs.

I caught his coat. "You leave me, and I'll open the gate without you."

He stopped.

The muscle in his neck jumped as he swallowed. "You'd burn your own veins out."

"Maybe. But you'd be standing there watching, so at least we'd both have a terrible night."

His hand rose to my face.

Wet fingers brushed my jaw, then stopped just below my ear. No mark. No claim. Just his touch, warm against my cold skin.

His eyes locked on mine.

"Say yes," he said, quieter now. "Not to the bond.