Page 63 of Cops and Robbers

Something brushed her ear, and she flinched. Caige muted her Micron Ear without her ever seeing him move again.

“Seriously?” It came out near a shriek as a bubbling fear rose up in her. This was Mirage—the most hidden assassin.

“Who the fuck were you?” he asked.

She brought up a shot glass between them and tipped it back, the liquid choking her already burning throat. Coughing, she snatched another to keep her hands busy.

She said, “I’m someone who knows Matsuda well enough that I just risked discovery to help you climb the ranks.”

“Why would you do that?”

“If I fucked that up for us, at least you’ll have a shot at getting close enough to take him out.” She lifted the shot to finish it.

Caige grabbed her wrist more gently than he had before, stilling it. “We’re on your side, Kate.”

Her heart thudded in her chest with surprise at his genuine tone.

He released her. “But you need to tell Raz the truth.”

Her stomach protested, but she finished the shot and slammed her hands on the counter. “I’ll take that into consideration.”

Kate blended into the crowd and made her way to the elevator, through the lobby, and outside. As she walked away from the entrance, a black SUV flew toward the curb and stopped with screeching tires. The driver’s side opened, and Raz ran around the front. Seeing him in person—a reassuring force—a sob choked at the back of her throat. Fuck tonight.

Facing Matsuda and Caige’s confrontation, even if he was right, was a nightmare. Raz waited at the open passenger door. The adrenaline left her in a flush, and she wobbled on her stilettos as darkness and dizziness closed in.

“Damnit,” Caige said from behind her, his steps closing in.

But Raz beat him to grabbing her. “You okay?” he asked.

She nodded. His steady grip on her arm flushed her fears away, if only for the time it took him to walk her to the SUV and help her into the seat.

“Get another ride,” Raz whispered heatedly to Caige, slamming the door shut.

Caige nodded and walked down the sidewalk. Raz jumped into the vehicle and left with as much gusto as he’d arrived with, tires screeching. Hands shaking, Kate stared out the window, feeling everything within her colliding. The SUV’s interior closed in on her like a coffin. Her lungs ceased once more, and her stomach twinged from alcoholic abuse.

“I need…” She swallowed the building saliva as she tried to suck in air. “Pull over.”

“Not yet.” He gripped the back of her neck. “Put your head between your legs.”

She let him push her into the position he recommended.

“Take deep breaths.”

She closed her eyes, blood rushing to her head, and did as he asked. Inhaling for three, she released it for the same amount. He rubbed her back, and she centered herself on his rough yet calming ministrations. You’re okay, Kate. Everything’s okay. She slid forward in her chair, nearly colliding with the glove box, when he stopped quickly. She jerked back as he sped off again.

“You risked everything picking me up,” she said. “They might have your face on video now.”

His touch withdrew, and he skidded around another corner, nearly drifting the vehicle off the road. A bright light flashed in the car. She raised her head. The steering wheel’s glowing?

More specifically, Raz’s hands. She made out impressions in the blaze as if his hands were lengthening. What the hell?

“Raz! What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry,” he grated out, face contorted with pain. A searing fire arced down her spine along the link. Her own fear had blinded her to it before. Heart in her throat, she grabbed his bare arm and the glow dimmed, his appendages returning to normal.

“Thanks.” He sucked in a breath. “The worst part about being Rogue is our inability to shift often, if at all. I can’t remember the last time…and your fear…nearly ripped it out of me.”

“You mean…the dragon? You almost transformed in this SUV?”