Chapter 14 - Chapter 13: Live Wire

The Kowloon safe house smelled of old concrete, faint soy sauce drifting up from the restaurant below, and the sharp metallic tang of cooling electronics. Kai locked the door—three heavy bolts sliding home with a satisfying clunk—then moved to the monitors. The room was dim, lit only by the blue glow of screens and a single bare bulb overhead. A small balcony door stood ajar, letting in the distant hum of ferries and the salty harbor breeze. He plugged in the laptop. Fingers flew across the keys."Upload's at ninety-two percent," he said, voice low, rough from the night's chaos. "Two minutes left."Elara leaned against the wall, arms crossed, the bandage on her forearm itching under the gauze. The ride here had left her skin buzzing—wind tearing at her clothes, her arms locked around Kai's waist, chest molded to his back, feeling every shift of muscle as he leaned the bike through turns. She could still feel the solid heat of him through leather and cotton, the steady thump of his heartbeat against her palms. Kai glanced up. His eyes caught hers—dark, searching, lingering a heartbeat too long. The air between them thickened. "You okay?" he asked, voice softer, almost a whisper. She opened her mouth to say yes—then couldn't. The word stuck in her throat. Instead, she shook her head once, small. Kai crossed the room in two strides. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms. The hug hit like a slow wave—his chest solid, warm, rising and falling against hers. One hand slid up to cradle the back of her head, fingers threading gently into her hair, tugging just enough to tilt her face into the crook of his neck. The other settled low on her back, palm broad and steady, thumb tracing slow, deliberate circles through her shirt. Cedar and musk enveloped her—warm, sun-warmed wood after rain, mixed with the faint salt of sweat and gun oil. His breath stirred her hair, hot and uneven. She felt the quickened thud of his pulse against her cheek, matching her own. His hold deepened, almost possessive—fingers flexing against her back, pulling her impossibly tighter until every inch of them touched. Heat bloomed where their bodies met, a slow shiver running through her. His lips grazed her temple—barely a touch at first, then firmer, deliberate, the warmth of his mouth lingering like a brand. Her lips parted on a silent gasp. The faint taste of salt from his skin hit her tongue—sharp, real, addictive. Elara's breath hitched. Her arms came around his waist—slow, hesitant, then tight. She pressed closer, forehead against his collarbone, breathing him in. Her hands slid up his back, fingers curling into the fabric of his jacket, anchoring herself. She tilted her head, nose grazing the side of his neck—skin warm, pulse jumping under her lips. His grip tightened, a low sound rumbling in his throat, vibrating against her. His hand slid up her arm—slow, deliberate—thumb tracing the bandage edge, then higher, brushing the sensitive inside of her elbow. Gentle. Teasing. Lingering. The laptop chimed—sharp, sudden. Upload complete . Kai loosened his hold—but didn't let go immediately. His eyes found hers in the dim light—dark, pupils blown wide, raw hunger flickering there before he banked it."It's out there," he said, voice rough, almost hoarse. Elara met his gaze, lips parted, still feeling the ghost of his mouth on her temple, the safety of being held, the heat of him pressed against her. Her breath came shallow, unsteady. The broadcast was live. The night had just begun. And the space between them had never felt more dangerous—or more inevitable.