Chapter 35 · The Secret Behind My Erased Name

"You stole evidence from a dead interrogation file, broke out of a state execution, and lied about your name."

"You arrested me under a false charge."

Lucas Vale's forearm stayed braced beside my head. "The charge was real."

"The terrorism charge?"

"The running-away part."

A laugh tried to climb out of me. I bit it back.

He didn't get to think he'd won.

"Move your arm."

"There's no room."

"Then breathe somewhere else."

His mouth hovered near my ear. Heat brushed my skin with every word.

"You want me to stop breathing?"

"I want you to stop acting like you own every inch of space around me."

"I don't own it." His voice dropped. "I'm keeping you inside it."

That landed harder than it should've.

He'd kept me alive in the execution chamber. He'd turned his blade on his own officers. He'd sealed the mask over my face and admitted he'd suspected me before he knew I was the dead heiress their records had erased.

But suspicion wasn't trust.

Protection wasn't freedom.

The command band around his wrist pulsed red.

A sharp tone ripped through the tunnel speakers.

"Warden Lucas Vale, your protection contract is revoked.