“I’d lead you into the middle of a fight that doesn’t belong to you,” I say in one final, pitiful attempt to sway him.

  Bash doesn’t flinch as considers this, his fingers tickling along the nape of my neck. “This fight has belonged to us for a long time, Xen. Ever since that mark showed up on our hips. Before that, even. We saw what they were doing. We took part in it.”

  I nod as I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I wanted to help them… but I wanted you more. Does that make me awful?”

  He shakes his head. “If it does, it makes me awful, too. I think it’s time we fought back.”

  “Will you come with me?” I breathe, my heart racing in my chest. “If we can find a way out of the city, will you come?”

  “Yes,” he whispers.

  Relief almost takes me to my knees. “Will you be mine again?”

  The tip of his nose brushes over mine as his lips part in a soft breath. “I was always yours.”

  “Can you truly love me again with everything I’ve done? The mistakes, the terrible choices, the… the leaving? The regrets? All the pain I’ve caused others that I could never atone for?” I tug him closer, hands shaking as I force myself not to look away. “These rotten parts inside me? Can you love them, too?”

  His thumb swipes over my nape as he presses our lips together in the softest kiss. “The only regret I ever had was not fighting harder to find your truth. There isn’t a single part of me that doesn’t love every part of you.”

  Any more words he might try to speak are swallowed by my kiss as I pull his mouth to mine. Fingers squeeze on my neck and in my hair, and Bash pulls my bottom lip between his as he eases my mouth open. Our tongues meet, but his hands are firm as I try to wrap myself around him.

  The message is clear—this isn’t the time for more.

  That doesn’t stop me from whining quietly into his mouth. He soothes me with a soft hum that vibrates between our lips, though he smiles into our kiss as I band my arms around his middle and grab his ass.

  The world is on fire, but we burn hotter.

  I hold on for another minute and relish the familiar feel of his mouth on mine and the flex of his body underneath me. A realization hits me, and I pull away at the pinch of mourning in my heart.

  “What’s wrong?” he asks.

  “Just me being selfish again.” I place my hand on his chest, staring at the vacant space on my finger. “My ring. We can’t go back to get it, I know that, but…”

  Bash places his hand over mine, dragging his fingertips across my knuckles and through the dips between my fingers. “What if I told you I have it?”

  “What?” I whisper.

  His eyes lift to mine as he reaches into his pocket. “Ever since I found it in your bag, I haven’t gone anywhere without it.”

  My mouth opens and closes a few times as I stare at the silver band pinched between his fingers. It’s imperfect, but that makes it special. It’s been through hell—forged from scraps and polished until it was turned into something meaningful. Something strong, that’s beautiful even with its hammered edges and uneven sheen.

  It’s us, or what we used to be.

  What we might be again.

  “Can I have it back?” I whisper, reaching for the ring.

  He pulls it away, shaking his head and tucking it into his pocket. Not on my finger where it belongs, but safe with him.

  “You’ve always been so impatient,” he says with an affectionate, teasing smile. “We haven’t even had our second first date.”

  “That wasn’t a no,” I point out.

  Bash’s smile spreads the rest of the way, blossoming from cheek to cheek. “It wasn’t a no,” he agrees. “It was a not yet.”

  “I’ll earn it,” I whisper as my fingertips drag along his thigh, tracing the shape of the ring beneath the denim of his pants.

  Something devastating crosses his face. “You don’t have to earn it, Xen, and I don’t want you to feel like you don’t deserve this. You just have to be patient, okay?”

  “I’ve never been good at that.”

  He breathes a laugh at my admission. “Yeah, princess. I know.”

  He kisses me once more before he pushes us off the wall, stitching our fingers together even though we’re only walking down the hallway.

  “Come on,” he says. “We have some planning to do.”

  Bash

  “This is going to be awesome!” Sakane rubs his hands together with excitement that borders on manic. “A wild entourage chasing us from the gates as we speed off into the night.”

  My brows knit as I stare at him, slowly shaking my head. “There are so many things wrong with that statement.”

  He looks at me as though he’s genuinely confused.

  “First,” I say pointedly, “we don’t want an entourage. That’s like, the complete opposite of what we want, okay? No attention.”

  “Aw,” Ego pouts from her seat.

  I ignore her and sink into the kitchen chair with a heavy sigh. “Second, we aren’t speeding off anywhere, unless you guys have a secret vehicle stashed somewhere.”

  Xeni knocks my knees apart so he can drop onto my lap, his weight grounding me even as it proves to be a major distraction. I’m momentarily lost in the feel of him as I rest my chin on his shoulder.

  Xeni leans against me, tugging my arms around his waist. “On my way to the city, I was driving an SUV, but it broke down. I stashed it in some trees, but there’s no telling if it’s still there, or if it’s possible to get it running.”

  “If it’s there, I can fix it,” Cato says from across the table with a smirk and boundless confidence. “I’m damn good with my hands.”

  “He really is a brilliant mechanic,” I say.

  Xeni sinks lower on my lap with a deliberate wiggle, pressing back just enough to make his point.

  “Your jealousy is showing,” I murmur in his ear.

  Xeni doesn’t skip a beat. Without looking away from Cato, he grips my chin, and in a single, fluid motion, he twists his head and pulls me forward. This kiss isn’t soft or sweet. It’s a claim, and his tongue sweeps in like he’s staking territory.

  Ego whistles appreciatively as Cato grumbles something under his breath, while Sakane’s face flushes as he watches with piqued interest.

  Xeni bites my lower lip and tugs just hard enough to sting. “Should I keep going?” he taunts, shifting in my lap with a very deliberate swivel of his hips that makes me grip his waist tighter.

  “Message received,” I hiss.

  Xeni’s grin turns smug as he settles into a relaxed slump against me, like he’s just won the whole damn war.

  “Can… boys get pregnant from watching?” Sakane stage-whispers to Ego, eyes wide and dramatic. “Because I’m pretty sure that just happened. I felt something twitch.”

  Ego’s grin turns wicked, and she slaps his waiting palm with a loud high-five that echoes in the tiny kitchen. “Oh, honey, me too. We’ll be bump buddies. Matching cravings, swollen ankles, the works. I call dibs on the weird midnight pickles, though.”

  Cato mutters something that sounds suspiciously like “idiots,” while I bury my burning face in Xeni’s hair, trying and failing not to laugh.

  Xeni is utterly unrepentant and gives his hips another lazy roll that makes me groan into his neck.

  “Keep it up,” I warn against his skin, “and you’ll be the one carrying my baby.”

  Ego fans herself. “Now that’s a visual I didn’t know I needed—but damn if I’m not here for it.”

  My cheeks burn as I clear my throat, trying to get everyone’s attention off my sex life and back on the problem at hand.

  “Alright, back to what we were saying…” I say pointedly.

  “No vehicle, but a maybe on getting his working,” Cato recaps with a smirk that’s all teeth.

  “You can say my name,” Xeni says in an overly sweet tone, wearing a smile that's blatantly insincere.

  “Don’t want to tarnish my lips with it,” Cato replies just as sweetly.

  “Careful, Gingersnap,” Xeni purrs. “Keep dodging it and people might think you’re scared it’ll taste too good.”

  Cato crosses his arms and leans back in his seat. “You need a muzzle.”

  “Funny,” Xeni drawls. “I was thinking the same about you… except I’d add a leash. Big dogs need discipline.”

  “Yep, definitely pregnant,” Sakane mutters.

  “Can we please put the bickering aside?” I beg, exasperation creeping in as I tighten my hold on Xeni to keep him from escalating.

  Xeni glares at Cato for a long moment, and just as Cato relaxes, Xeni leans in again.

  “Woof.”

  “Gods damn it!” Cato shouts, but Xeni puts his hands out in surrender and curls into my lap.

  “Are you done?” I deadpan.

  “For now,” Xeni mutters.

  Cato sits back, arms crossed and jaw tight, and I stare for another long second to make sure they’re finished.

  When they both stay quiet, I turn serious once more. “Xeni and I were discussing plans, and…” I glance at Xeni in silent question.

  He wrinkles his nose as he glares at Cato, but nods.

  I gesture at the three of them. “We’re going back to his village, and you all should come with us. The city is too dangerous now that we’re wanted, and this isn’t going to disappear. They might turn the sirens off, but they won’t stop hunting us.”

  Sakane glances towards the window, where the alarms buzz as a constant reminder. “Yeah, Xeni, Cato, and Ego are everywhere on the streets, and it’s only a matter of time until the rest of ours join them.”

  My eyes narrow. “And how would you have that information when you were supposed to be safe in this apartment?”

  A few loose strands fall from Sakane’s bun as he gestures wildly. “Listen, I can blend in with the best of them. Did you even read that description of me? ‘Male, thin, approximately five-foot-eight, black hair worn in a bun, rounded brown eyes.’”

  I raise a brow and gesture at all of him.

  He scoffs. “That describes a quarter of the Asian population in the city. And besides, I wore a hat.”

  “We could shave your head,” Ego says with a manic gleam in her eyes. “Or, even better, you could let me dye it. You’d be smoking hot with some red or purple in there.”

  Sakane shields his hair protectively and takes a step back. “You stay over there and keep your hands to yourself.”

  “Why were you out there?” I ask.

  Sakane’s cheeks blow out with a heavy exhale. “I picked up some supplies.”

  I lean forward, tightening my hold on Xeni so he doesn’t fall. “You didn’t go home, did you? We don’t know who’s—”

  “Stop being such a worrywart,” Sakane says with an exasperated huff. “Of course I didn’t… I went to the market instead.”

  “You went to the market,” I deadpan, gesturing outside where the alarms continue their relentless wail. “While there are raid sirens blaring and we’re wanted for treason.”

  “Yep.”

  “What was so important that you needed to risk going out?” I demand.

  Sakane shrugs before motioning at a few paper bags on the floor beside him. “Uh, well, lots of goodies, thank you very much. Nelly said she could give us plenty of clothes, so I didn’t bother with those. But I grabbed some essentials.”

  He pushes the bags in my direction, and I glance at the first to find jerky, nuts, and other shelf-stable foods packed inside. The rest of the bags contain matches, a couple of blankets, a neatly folded tarp, some gloves, a small bunch of rope, and some rubbing alcohol. Just before he tugs them back, a flash of color catches my eye.

  “Is that what I think…” I grab the bag, and Xeni leans over, nosy as ever, to look with me.

  “Sakane,” I say as I stare.

  “Hmm?” he asks innocently, but his cheeks are flushed.

  “Did you go out in that chaos to buy me a fucking comic book?”

  “There’s a new pair of reading glasses in there, too,” he mutters.

  I stare into the bag in shock for a moment before glancing up at him. “I… am very honored, while also being deeply embarrassed that you view this as a necessity.”

  Xeni chuckles as he pulls the comic out. It’s one drawn by a local artist I’ve been collecting over the years, sealed inside its protective bag.

  “We can’t go back and get yours,” Sakane explains with a shy shrug. “And you love them.”

  “This is really sweet,” Xeni says as he tucks the book into the bag, then pulls out the glasses. They’re basic black plastic frames, and Xeni pops the arms out and pushes them onto my face.

  He wears a nostalgic smile as he looks me over. “You used to sit in that chair by my window when you read,” he says, tracing over the top of the frames.

  Longing clenches inside my chest, remembering the quiet nights in those tiny apartments. Our love was a secret, but that didn’t make it less powerful. I’d felt invincible with him, and now that I understand how much he’d been dealing with, it’s devastating to know he did it alone.

  I worried, sure. Knew that if we were discovered, it would put us in a terrible position, but I never carried the same weight he did.

  I didn’t realize our love was fatal.

  Xeni tips my face toward his, wearing that same gentle smile as he presses a soft kiss on my lips. “You always looked so slutty in these.”

  “Xen,” I groan as Cato gags and Ego cackles.

  “How come Sakane gets away with doing stupid shit?” Cato asks with a wave in my direction. “If I’d gone out there to buy pointless crap, you would’ve yelled at me for ten minutes.”

  “Sakane’s cuter,” Xeni taunts cheerfully. “He has a face you can’t help but want to squeeze—”

  “Thanks?” Sakane says, brows furrowed.

  “—instead of that scruffy, scowling business you have over there.”

  I heave a loud sigh. “Are the two of you ever going to get along?”

  “Doubtful,” Cato says, and Xeni nods, the two of them in agreement for what might be the first and only time.

  Xeni crosses his arms over his chest and finds a way to push his weight into me even harder. “Definitely not. Anyone you tried to fuck is at the top of my shit list, darling.”

  I choke on a surprised cough as Cato barks a loud laugh.

  “Wait,” Sakane says, his eyes growing wide. “You tried to fuck Cato?”

  “Let’s get one thing straight,” Cato argues, “I was going to do the fucking.”

  Xeni turns wild, claws out and teeth bared. My arms cinch around his waist and hold him there on my lap.

  “Down, boy,” I murmur, but he doesn’t stop glaring, so I grip a little tighter.

  “How have you never heard this story?” Ego demands, gesturing between us. “Bash was super drunk and heartbroken, which, might I add, is never a good look. Desperation is not sexy.”

  “Noted,” I deadpan.

  She continues with a smirk. “He climbed on top of Cato, and they made out for way too long considering they were in public—”

  “Ego,” I beg as Xeni’s fingers dig into my arms.

  “Yeah, yeah, okay, killer. Forgive me for setting the mood, because it was hot. Anyway, they went upstairs to fuck, but Bash just cried all night instead.”

  “How do you know these things?” Cato demands.

  Ego shrugs with a smug smirk.

  “Can we not?” I plead. “Talking about my and Cato’s past is weird now.”

  Ego inspects her fingernails, pointedly avoiding my eyes. “I mean, you’re the one who kissed him to make Xeni jealous. I’m not so sure it’s me making it weird.”

  “We really need to get back on track,” I say louder. “We have to leave the city, but deciding to come with us isn’t a small thing, guys. This is a big decision that you shouldn’t take lightly.”

  Cato gestures at the pile of wanted posters. “It’s not like we have much of a choice now. You said it yourself, this isn’t some minor infraction they’ll forget about in a few months. We attacked a High Commander. It won’t do anything but delay the inevitable if we try to hide, so leaving is the only option. We’re safer together, and you guys are my family.”

  “What about Gideon?” I ask.

  Cato shrugs, though he purses his lips as he glances towards the window. “He’ll be alright. Since they think I was the one who busted out of the prison, there’s no heat on him.”

  “I can get a letter to him, so he knows where you went,” Ego says sincerely, waiting for Cato's nod before she turns to Xeni. “Will your friends even let us in?”

  He nods slowly. “They’re slow to accept others, but they know I wouldn’t bring anyone there I didn’t trust.”

  “Aww,” Cato coos, holding his hand over his heart.

  Xeni lifts his middle finger without looking at him. “It won’t be easy to get out of the city. The sewers don’t go outside the walls, and we aren’t exactly inconspicuous. I mean, I stand out in a crowd on my own, but with the big red brute—”

  “You can say my name,” Cato mimics.

  I heave another tired sigh, but Xeni ignores him.

  “—and Ego’s hair, we’ll be picked out in a heartbeat. Could you dye it?”

  Ego looks horrified as she crosses her arms. “I’ll pull a Sakane and wear the ultimate disguise.”

  “A hat?” Xeni asks.

  She shoots him a finger gun with a wink. “You got it, sugar.”

  “That should be simple enough. We can conceal Bash and Sakane with clothes, but Cato and I won’t be so easy to hide.”

  Sakane shuffles through the stack of papers on the table, setting aside a few he deems important. “Give me a few hours to study these maps. There are a few ways out that don’t require going straight through the gates. I’m sure I can find a pretty clear pathway to one of them.”

  Nelly clears her throat from the doorway, glancing at Xeni in my lap with something that looks like nostalgia before giving Sakane her attention.

  “I’d be happy to help you with that,” she says. “We snuck our fair share of folks in and out of these walls over the years. It’s been a while, but this old dog still has some tricks.”