Ria waited for the pain.
But it was the assassin who cried out and then her weight was gone.
Ria slumped forward, the wire falling to the ground. She pressed a hand to the bleeding wound on her neck and spun on one knee.
Before she could blink, strong hands were hauling her upright. “Ria? Are you okay?”
Zayn’s face was the best thing she’d seen all day. She managed a nod. She looked past him and saw Dathan and Niklas binding the wrists of the unconscious assassin.
Zayn’s fingers brushed over her hand at her neck. “Let me see.”
She let her hand drop, and he touched her neck with a gentle stroke.
“Isn’t bad, but you’re damned lucky. She was about to take your head off.” He yanked Ria forward and into his arms.
She thought about fighting him, but she didn’t. She wanted him to hold her. She wrapped her arms around him.
“God, if we’d been a minute later…” His voice trailed off.
Ria rubbed her cheek against his shirt. “How did you find me? I barely sent you the message about the shuttle.”
He laughed. “You think we’re stupid enough not to have a tracker on our shuttle?”
She raised her head. “I checked it, I didn’t find anything.”
“A sweet little invisible tracker that Malin cooked up. It’s undetectable.” He fingered her pink hair. “Not sure this is your style.”
A part of Ria was glad he was there. But another part of her wasn’t, because he’d just put himself, and his brothers, in the line of fire of the Guild.
Zayn gripped her shoulders. “You’re coming with us.”
“No.” She struggled to pull away from him. She nodded at the assassin on the ground. “This is only the beginning, Zayn.”
“I don’t care.”
Stubborn male. “They’ll keep coming. It’s going to get worse. I’m catching a shuttle for the edge.” Damn, she would have missed her ride by now. But there’d be other transports.
“No.” He stepped closer, and before she knew what he had planned, he grabbed her around the waist and hauled her up over his shoulder.
Shock held her immobile. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Just be quiet. You’re coming with us. End of argument.”
They moved out of the alley. Ria lifted her head and saw Dathan grinning at her.
He winked. “Never thought I’d see my baby bro so gaga over a woman.”
She scowled at him, then thumped Zayn on the back. “I can hurt you, even like this.”
“Do your worst.” He slapped a hand over her ass, making her jump. Then the movement turned into a caress, making her squirm.
“The transport station’s right here.” Nik’s voice interrupted. “Transport’s pulling up.”
Ria watched upside down as they boarded a public transport. It was miraculously empty. Once the doors closed with a chime, the transport pulled away, headed upward.
Zayn set her down. Instantly, she slammed a fist into his gut. He bent over with a grunt. Then he reached out and grabbed her, his mouth finding hers with unerring accuracy.
She was helpless to resist him. Her anger melted away and she leaned into the kiss.
