Page 80 of Cops and Robbers

Kate glanced at Midnight, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. “Restraining her body will upset her. She has no reason to attack you.”

“But she has every reason to attack you.”

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

Frustration boiled up his neck, but again he felt shoved against the wall. “I’ll talk to Sid. Just keep us out of your crosshairs.”

“Thank you.” She turned and crouched with Lewis.

“Don’t tell me you both fit in that?” Lewis asked Kate while Raz climbed into the cockpit and sank into the co-pilot chair next to Sid.

“Did I hear that right? Fucking Midnight is onboard and is an asset?”

“Yeah,” Raz said.

Sid sighed. “Need to talk about it?”

“Let’s just focus on getting back home to Chicago.” Raz put the headset on and welcomed the silence. I hope you know what you’re doing, Kate.

In a systematic fashion, the two of them worked on takeoff. Once Caige returned and everyone was secure, they headed down the runway.

Sid kept the ramp door open.

Raz rubbed at his aching temples and rested against the co-pilot’s seat. Two hours were left of their already long ride.

Questions tormented him, while his dragon was a steady, reassuring presence. The link spoke of a person who needed to right a wrong—who cared deeply about the woman they rescued.

“I feel you roasting in that chair.” Sid’s voice crackled through his headset. “You want to hash it out?”

“Not with you.”

Sid chuckled. “Why don’t you go talk to her then?”

“It’s not the place. Nor the right time.” Only when they were safe and knew Midnight was on their side would the fire seething across his mind settle. Even then, he feared his memories from the past would be there, ready to pull him down into a pit of depression and resentment.

Sid was silent for a moment. “Is Midnight a Fallen?”

Raz nodded.

“I’m going to stay up here then. That’s not something I want to handle.” Sid paused. “Is she hot?”

I hope your mate’s a handful. Raz shook his head. “Only you would—“

A loud crash sounded from the back of the plane as if something large had fallen. Raz met Sid’s narrowed gaze and ripped off his headset.

“Pick her up,” the faint feminine voice came from the rear. Fear and guilt coursed over the link, strangling him.

Raz jumped from his seat and exited the cockpit. Caige had his back toward Raz, wisps of Illusion smoke covering him in shadow. Closer to the back, Lewis was down on one knee, hands raised.

Standing at the open rear loading ramp, Midnight’s spirit form aimed a gun at Kate who kneeled in front of Midnight’s unconscious body. Raz froze, not wanting to trigger Midnight to shoot.

“Naomi, please…” Kate’s voice broke as she held shaking hands in the air.

“No. You don’t get to act like you know who the hell I am.” Midnight pressed the barrel into Kate’s head. Raz’s whole body tensed, his dragon threatening to tear from his skin. “It should have been you. He only fucking wanted you.”

“I know. I’m so sorry,” Kate whispered, and Raz could hear the tears in her voice, though her back was to him.

Midnight released a humorless laugh. “Your apology is fifty years too late. Now pick her up, or I’ll start shooting.”