Chapter 65 · The Family Key

"Move, Evelyn. Now." Lucas shoved me through the blast door before the alarm finished screaming.

I hit the floor on one knee, my gun still jammed beneath his jaw. Warm blood slid over my fingers from the cut above his brow.

"You first," I snapped.

Lucas stopped with one boot inside the control corridor. His breath brushed my knuckles. Even bleeding, he looked infuriatingly calm.

"If I go first, the locks will read my badge and seal behind me."

"Good. Your family can bury you with the rest of its secrets."

His jaw tightened. "You want the tower?"

"I want the file inside it."

"Then you need the controls."

I shoved the muzzle harder against his skin. "I can shoot you and try without them."

The corridor lights snapped from white to red.

A voice boomed through the ceiling speakers. "Warden Vale, step away from the fugitive. Your command clearance has been suspended. Repeat, your clearance has been suspended."

Lucas glanced at the nearest camera.

"They can hear us," I said.

"They've been hearing us since the prison gate."

"Then tell me why you dragged me here instead of turning me over.