Page 168 of After the Burn

Taryn looked at me. “If Wren takes me in, I won't need to fake surrendering, and it’ll seem more credible.”

I could see the gears turning in her head.

“And because she’s enhanced, too, they’ll believe she got the better of me,” she continued.

“Damn, straight.” Wren made a muscle with her arm.

I swung my pack around and pulled it open. Near the bottom, the walkie-talkies were tucked inside a shirt.

Wren’s eyebrows rose. “I knew those things would come in handy.”

I held one up. “You carry it.”

“Why me?” Wren took the device almost reverently.

“They’re going to search Taryn much more thoroughly than they search the woman supposedly delivering her,” I explained while trying to decide where to hide it on her.

Wren considered that. “Fair.”

Lucas took the radio back from her and turned it over in his hands. “The small of her back.”

Beck nodded. “Under the shirt.”

“Tape it flat,” Lucas added.

I handed Lucas the duct tape. Wren lifted the back of her shirt enough for Taryn to secure the radio at the small of her back. Once her clothes fell over it, there was no obvious outline.

“Comfortable?” Taryn asked slyly.

“No,” Wren answered immediately.

“Good.” Taryn was still pissed that Wren was going in with her.

I held the second walkie-talkie. “This is how it’s going to work.”

Taryn turned to give me her full attention, recognizing that I wasn’t fucking around.

“One click when you’re inside and safe enough to proceed.”

Wren nodded.

“Two if the plan changes but you’re not in immediate danger.”

Another nod.

“If something happens and you need us right away, hold the transmit button down. You don’t have to speak. Just open the channel.” I pulled Taryn to me. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“That’s a six-point deduction for you.” She smirked, with that bratty mouth I couldn’t get enough of.

I caught her by the back of the neck and pulled her into me before I could think better of it.

The kiss landed hard.

Taryn made a startled sound against my mouth, then grabbed the front of my shirt and gave as good as she got.

My other hand closed around her waist, pulling her closer until there wasn’t room for anything between us except heat, breath, and all the things I was too damn scared to say out loud.

When I finally pulled back, we were both breathing harder, and I rested my forehead against hers.