Chapter 28 · You like giving orders

He looked at her hand on him, then at her face. "You like giving orders."

"You like pretending you do not listen."

Another shot slammed into the forklift. Rhys grabbed her hand and pulled her after Talia.

They ran through the narrow gap between crates. Their joined wrists jerked with every step. The contract punished distance even inside the same room, tightening their chests when Mara moved ahead and dragging Rhys forward when he slowed.

"You are falling behind," Mara said.

"I have a hole in my shoulder."

"Then keep up."

"You are enjoying this."

"A little."

Talia reached the lift panel and ripped off its cover. Wires spilled out.

"Mara, light."

Mara raised two fingers. A thin blue spark crawled between them and dropped into the panel.

The lift groaned. A hidden door opened three inches, then stopped.

"That is not enough," Talia said.

Rhys fired over their heads. The hunters had reached the end of the crates.

"Get it open," he said.

"I am trying!"

"Try faster."

Mara shoved her shoulder against the door. Metal bit into her palm.

"Rhys, help me."

"I am busy."

"You have one arm. Use the other one."

He came in behind her.