Page 76 of Villainous Rise

“Accuracy.”

I bit back a smile. This was the problem with Cipher. Even when I was angry at him, arguing with him was fun.

“You’re impossible,” I said, not quite managing to keep the fondness from my voice.

“And yet you’re still here.”

“Because you’re my ride.”

“You could have called Havoc.”

“And explain why I needed a rescue from your penthouse at 8 AM? No thanks.”

Cipher chuckled, the sound warming something inside me that I’d been trying desperately to keep frozen. “Fair point.”

This was dangerous. The more time I spent with him, the harder it became to hold on to my anger. Each conversation, each shared smile, each moment of honesty chipped away at the walls I’d built.

I was fighting a losing battle and I knew it.

“You’re quiet,” Cipher observed.

“Just thinking.”

“About?”

A thought struck me suddenly. Maybe I could use this unexpected encounter to get some answers.

“Have you ever heard of someone called Wraith?”

Cipher’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. If I hadn’t been watching closely, I might have missed it.

“Why are you looking for Wraith?” His tone remained casual, but there was an edge underneath it.

“Just something that came up.” I debated how much I could let him know. “Havoc thinks he might be able to help with something.”

“With what?”

I hesitated. “A technical problem. I know he’s hard to get a hold of, just wondered if you knew him.”

Cipher’s jaw tightened. “Stay away from Wraith.”

“Why?”

“He’s dangerous.”

“More dangerous than you?” I couldn’t help the skepticism in my voice.

“Different kind of dangerous.” Cipher’s eyes remained fixed on the road.

I sighed, leaning my head against the window. “I don’t really have a choice about Wraith. Havoc specifically requested him.”

“You’re going to run.” Cipher changed the subject abruptly.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re getting uncomfortable with how comfortable we are together. With how close we were last night. You’re going to run now.”

The accuracy of his assessment stung and I hated that I was that transparent.