Chapter 40 · "It does." "And if you die?" His eyes

"It does."

"And if you die?"

His eyes met mine.

The answer sat there before he spoke.

"You die with me."

The double laughed softly. "There it is."

"Shut up," I said.

"You didn't know."

"I said shut up."

"He chained your life to his and never told you the full price."

Kane took one step closer.

The double pressed the blade harder.

I sucked in a breath.

Kane stopped.

"You see?" the double said. "He won't move."

"He knows I'll break your hand before you can cut me."

"Can you?"

"Want to find out?"

"No. But he does."

The double's grip shifted. A cold metal edge touched the side of my neck.

Kane's breathing changed.

I felt it through the contract. His fear came across as heat under my skin, quick and sharp. He was trying to bury it. He wasn't doing a good job.

"You're scared," I said.

"I'm focused."

"Your pulse says otherwise."

"Don't start."

"You started when you chained me to your life."

"I was trying to save you."

"You should have asked."

"You were dying."

"So you decided for me?"

"Yes."

The double smiled beside my ear. "There. The real Kane.