Chapter 21 · First Name on the List

"Put the card down, Selah."

Kane's hand closed over my wrist before I could slide the ace under my sleeve.

His fingers were warm. Too warm. The bond between us snapped tight, sending a sharp pulse through my arm and straight into my chest.

I smiled at him. "You noticed."

"I noticed your pulse jumped."

"Maybe I’m excited."

"You’re lying."

"You say that like it’s a crime."

He leaned over the table, blocking the single lamp and most of the room with his broad shoulders. The safe house had one exit, one window, and three hidden cameras I’d found before Kane even finished checking the locks. His team called it secure.

I called it a box with expensive furniture.

Kane kept my wrist pinned to the table. Not hard enough to bruise. Just hard enough to remind me that he could.

"Show me the card," he said.

"Ask nicely."

His eyes narrowed. "You want nice?"

"No. I want you off my hand."

"Then stop cheating."

I tilted my head. "You’re the Golden Boy. You can’t handle one little trick?"

"I can handle you. That’s not the same thing.