Page 87 of Forbidden Empire

“Esme,” he said, steady now, even if nothing about it sounded calm. “You don’t get it. Rhea controls almost everychannel for getting guns into this city. She has access to weapons you’ve never even heard of. If she wanted, she could wipe you out, just like that.”

“And yet she hasn’t. Why do you think that is, Aidon?”

He stepped back, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Oh, come on, are you that dense?” I threw my hands up. “She used me as a pawn to get to you. She pretty much told me that herself. If she wanted me dead, if what I knew was a true threat to her little empire, she’d have offed me without a second thought. Instead? She locked me up. That’s it. Waiting for you to show up. Don’t you see, Aidon? It was always about you. It still is.”

He didn’t say anything right away, just stared at me, eyes narrowed, searching my face for…what, a lie? I didn’t flinch. I wanted him to know I meant every word.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Esme,” he said at last.

I grinned, the edges sharp. “Danger makes life interesting, don’t you think?”

He just shook his head again, more frustrated than ever. “I don’t like this. Not any of it.”

"That's not my problem, Aidon. Your problem is Rhea." I met his eyes. "Let me help you. We can take her down together. For good this time."

He growled like he couldn't decide whether to punch a wall or give in.

"You're not going to accept no as an answer, are you?"

"Not from you," I said, grinning. Maybe a little smug. I closed the distance between us, and I could tell he was done fighting. It was all over his face. I put my hand on his cheek and looked up at him.

"We can do this, Aidon. But it's going to take all of us. Working together. As a team."

He exhaled like he’d just finished a marathon. "I think you're right, Esme."

"What was that?" I laughed. "Sorry, couldn't hear you. Can you say it a little louder?"

He laughed back, shaking his head. "You were right. We end this. Together."

He leaned in, forehead to mine, and there it was: the spark, the fire, the thing that happened every damn time he got close. I could almost taste it on my tongue.

Well, look at that, he was on my side.

"Together," I whispered.

It was a win, and the jolt of victory zinged through my brain. I kissed him, just a brush, just enough to feel the heat, and then his arms came around me, pulling me in.

The kiss deepened, and I melted.

My heart did that thing. The swelling thing.

Soon, it would be us against the world, a mission that could kill either of us, or both.

But for now? Right now? In his arms, I let it all drop.

The danger. The dread. The million questions and the constant gnawing fear.

Gone. Just gone.

All that was left was this, the quiet, the warmth, the weird comfort of letting go for a second. And in that calm, all the unhinged edges in me smoothed out.

Peace. At least for a little while.

Nineteen

ESME