Page 85 of Blood & Throttle
“I knew exactly what I was doing.”
“You just signed your own fucking death warrant, Riot!”
“He touched you.”
“It was a fuckinggraze! You—”
“Hefucking touched you.” My voice is low, a quiet growl. “That’s all it takes.”
Her mouth opens then slams shut. She’s breathing hard, chest rising and falling, her face twisted with something between fury and fear.
I take a step forward. “You think I give a fuck what patch he was wearing? You bleed, and someone’s dying for it. End of story.”
“You’re going to get yourself killed.”
“No,” I bite. “They try to take me out, I burn every handler they’ve got. They want a war? I’ll give it to them. But I’m not letting a single bastard breathe near you without knowing exactly what it’ll cost.”
“You’re not God, Riot,” she says, quiet now. “You can’t protect me from everything.”
“Maybe not, but I’ll fucking die trying.”
And Iwill.
Every single time.
The air shifts.
Footsteps. Slow and measured.
And then he’s there.
Voss.
Immaculate suit. Smiling like nothing’s ever personal. Like blood and money are the same fucking currency.
“Impressive finish,” he says, voice smooth as bourbon. “Both of you. Truly. I placed a sizable bet on your victory tonight. Safe to say, you made me a lot of money.”
I don’t respond. Don’t thank him, just kiss my teeth with my tongue.
He glances at the screen behind us—the sniper’s body frozen mid-collapse. His smile stays, but the edge in his voice sharpens.
“But I’d caution against making a habit out of killing my snipers. They’re expensive.”
I step toward him.
Close.
“Why?” I ask, voice flat. “We both know you’re not gonna do fuck all about it.”
Voss raises an eyebrow.
“You need me,” I continue. “You need the bloodshed. The crowd. The hype. You need someone savage enough to keep these races interesting and I’m the only one crazy enough todeliver.” I lean in. “So let’s not pretend you’re gonna do a goddamn thing about it.”
He holds my gaze for a second too long, then he smiles wider.
“Noted,” he says simply, before turning his back and walking away.
Sin exhales like she’s been holding her breath the whole time.
