“Wow.” Rafael frowns. “That’s…awful. It must be frustrating…knowing she’s working against you now.”
Kane snorts. “Frustrating doesn’t even begin to cover it.” A bitter laugh escapes him. “They used to be harmless. Just idiots yelling about purity and protesting VitaCorp. Hell, they won’t even use guns. They think circuitry ‘corrupts the body.’” His jaw tightens. “But with Athena running them? They’re organized and armed. And she knows how we operate—our contacts, our weaknesses, everything.”
He exhales slowly. “She always said Duke played too safe. Said if she were in charge, we’d run the whole city. But she’s blind to what that will cost. Athena will gut this neighborhood and leave it like it was before my uncle took over.”
Gaze lifting to Rafael, Kane straightens in his seat. “But we’re still here. And we’llwin. I’ll make sure of it.”
Rafael’s fingers intertwine with his. “Well, I’m rooting for you…and the crew…If that means anything.”
Something inside Kane shifts. Rafael’s too kind for this world, especially his. But Kane’s selfish enough to keep him anyway, and he refuses to think about his dead parents, his aunt and uncle, or the damn war anymore.
With Rafael within arm’s reach, plush red lips parted and curls falling across his forehead, all Kane wants is to hold him close.
Kane’s hand shoots out, catching his arm. With a tug, Rafael comes off the chair easily, guided into his lapwith legs straddling Kane’s hips.
“All you need to worry about right now…” His voice drips needy. “…is what we’re having for dessert.” A smirk curves his mouth as Kane leans in. “Because I’m craving something very specific.”
A flush spreads across Rafael’s cheeks. His arms loop around Kane’s shoulders. “Oh…you mean—”
He’s cut off with a kiss, but Kane draws back quick to see Rafael’s face even redder.
“Yes, that’s what I mean.” His fingers trail up a jean-covered thigh.
Rafael’s gaze falls to Kane’s hand, then flicks upward, lashes fluttering.
When they meet this time, Rafael closes the distance. With a low growl, Kane deepens the kiss, his free arm circling Rafael’s waist. Their bodies press closer until a soft needy sound escapes him.
This only spurs Kane’s hunger. His tongue finds his lips, and Rafael tilts his head back. Beef and tomatoes bloom across Kane’s palate, but even with that synthetic Terra’s tang, there’s no doubt he’ll replay this later tonight.
His fingers tighten in Rafael’s curls, drawing another shudder that vibrates against their joined mouths. Heat coils low in his gut. He drags his teeth lightly along Rafael’s throat, claiming more of the skin there.
And he doesn’t stop. His mouth trails lower while his hand slides up, tracing the inside of Rafael’s thigh until his fingers brush the edge of what he wants. Rafael trembles, breath hitching.
“Kane…”
The sound barely leaves his lips before a familiar ping echoesthrough the apartment.
God dammit.
Gritting his teeth, he lifts his head from Rafael’s neck. A pulse flashes from his visor on the counter.
Rafael settles his face into Kane’s neck. “It’s okay,” he says, his words muffled against the fabric.
Kane stretches over his shoulder and snags the visor with a curse. When he activates the device, a prerecorded video of Echo comes to life.
“Sorry if I caught you at a bad time,” she starts, smirking. “But this can’t wait. Viper and Wren found a few Orderlings hiding in our territory. Thought you’d want to question them yourself—” Her grin widens. “But we can hold off while you…handle things in Midtown.” A wink from her human eye, and the feed cuts.
Kane exhales through his nose. Normally, he’d already be there. But the lieutenants have been holding the line without him. That was the plan. Except for some things, like interrogations, can’t be handed off.
“You have to go?” Rafael asks, peering up at him.
“Yeah.” His fingers thread through dark curls. “I’m sorry.”
A smile tugs at Rafael’s mouth, but doesn’t reach his eyes. “It’s okay.”
No, it’s not. As Kane stands, one arm slips around Rafael’s waist while the other cups his face. He leans in, capturing his lips in a slow, deliberate kiss.
When they part, the guarded look is gone. Rafael’s grin is bright.