SOLENE: “You’re bleeding.”

LUCIEN: “Not as much as you.”

The smoke was thick enough to chew. Every breath burned. Somewhere behind them, metal screamed as part of the compound collapsed in on itself.

SOLENE: “You didn’t deny it.”

LUCIEN: “We’re not having this conversation in a death trap.”

SOLENE: “We’re having it now. Because if we don’t, I’ll start wondering if I should’ve let Angelo pull the trigger.”

He grabbed her arm, yanking her behind a crumbling ...