Page 177 of Black Reign

Not attraction.

Not curiosity.

Vesper doesn't choose words carelessly.

Especially not these.

My chest tightens.

Why hate?

We've fought.

Competed.

Provoked each other.

But hate?

No.

This is something else.

I close the book.

Then immediately reopen it.

Same line.

Same impact.

My espresso sits forgotten.

I look toward the entrance.

She's somewhere nearby.

Maybe.

Or she left the book with the kid an hour ago.

A day ago.

She plans farther ahead than most intelligence services.

I reach for NULL.

Stop.

Something isn't right.

The book.

Not emotionally.

Logistically.

I never told Vesper where I was having this meeting.