Page 71 of Neon Flux

“What? I can handle one girl.”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “That’s what I’m worried about.”

“So little faith, partner. You think I’m going to, what? Fuck her into compliance?”

His mouth pulled into a frown. “That’s exactly what I think.”

“Please, I’m a professional. I won’t lay a finger on her.”

Maddox did not look convinced in the slightest. “Yeah? What would’ve happened if I hadn’t stopped you a few hours ago?”

She still hadn’t answered my question, but I knew the truth. More than that, I’d felt how her Flux resonated with mine like nothing I’d ever felt before. I wanted to explore that—wanted to hear her scream as I pumped her full of my current and my cock. I let out a sigh. It wasn’t ideal to have her working with us, but if I was careful, I still might get to do one of those things. Tex hadn’t given me a choice, anyway.

“She’s a consultant now. Gotta get her to sign up for the gig. Gonna give her the full corporate onboarding.”

Maddox let out a grunt. “After all you did, you think you can convince her?”

“Everyone’s got a price, just like bossman said. She’s soft—it won’t be hard to find hers.”

Maddox gave me a skeptical look. “You think she’s soft? After all of that?”

“Don’t you?”

He didn’t respond, and I knew the answer. Sure, she acted tough, like nothing touched her—but deep down, she had that bleeding heart every one of these rebel do-gooders had.

It was going to get her killed. Preferably by me.

CHAPTER 25

EON

My wrists were burning. I’d been tugging at the restraints on and off for the last few hours, but all it had done was rub the skin raw. I’d never had a Flux dampener before, and it was almost as bad a torture as the device that sparkled on my chest.

Without my Flux, I felt immensely empty—like a piece of my very soul was missing. I could feel it, buried deep, but couldn’t access it, like trying to run in a nightmare but your legs just refused to move.

I leaned my head back against the chair, exhaling through my nose. The room was dim, and the silence oppressive. It must be completely soundproof. I could hear the blood rushing in my ears, and it was excruciating.

I twisted my wrists again, ignoring the sting. No good. The restraints were solid, reinforced with something stronger than the cheap cuffs NSPD used. Cy hadn’t taken any chances.

Pendejo.

I was working on another plan—something reckless, something painful—when I heard the door unlock. I snapped my head up as Cy walked in, shaking rain from his jacket. He lookedworse than he had when he left. His hair was damp, his jaw tight, and there was an edge to his movements that told me whatever he’d been up to hadn’t gone his way.

Good.

He barely spared me a glance before walking over to the camera and shutting it off. He didn’t speak, just unholstered his gun and set it on the desk with a little too much force. He turned, arms crossing over his chest, and gave me a look I recognized immediately.

Negotiation.

That meant I had something he needed. But Maddox wasn’t with him. Not that I thought Maddox was any better than Cy, but he was at least slightly more predictable.

I smiled, slow and sharp. “Missed me again, huh?”

Cy exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. “You talk too much.”

“And you kidnapped me. Everyone’s got flaws.”

“I’ve got an offer for you. A way out of this mess.”