Page 42 of Rupture

“Figures.” He let out a soft snort, the kind that wasn’t meant to be funny.

Before she could respond, comms crackled.

“Luca.” The voice was deep and gravelly, but even after such a short period of time, she recognized Liev. “Shut thefuck up. I can’t even think. Ethan, this is Liev. We’re in the Environmental Control hub. You need to get down —”

“Get fucking down here? Yes, and then we can fucking bug out!” Luca’s voice pitched higher. “But wait. We can’t evacuate because the fucking shuttle access is sabotaged.”

Rose exhaled a shaky breath. How many secrets had Thea buried down here?

“Luca. Calm the hell down.” Ethan’s voice cut in. A steady beat. It was easy to see how he was the natural leader of these men. “What exactly are you seeing down there?”

The comms line brimmed with silence. When Luca’s voice returned, it was unnervingly quiet. “You need to see it. Get down here.All of you.”

The line cut out with a chirp.

Finn was already moving. He grabbed her hand, the pressure firm but still gentle. “We need to go.Now.”

She let him pull her toward the door, her mind reeling. There was no time to process her fears now. Only answers to be found.

The door lock panel glowed softly, fully operational again. The door opened, the watertight seal releasing with a mechanical groan.

“Luca, this is Finn. We’re on our way. ETA three minutes,” Finn barked into the comms, scanning the hallway before them.

The fluorescent lights blazed overhead. No shadows where threats might lurk. Finn’s grip tightened on her.

She stumbled as they headed up the corridor and the world tilted, her legs turning to water beneath her.

Finn’s arm shot out, catching her against his chest before she could hit the floor. His pulse hammered where her cheek pressed against his throat.

“Hey.” He brushed the hair from her eyes with careful fingers. “When did you last eat?”

“Um…” The hours blurred together. “I don’t know?”

“Right. Can you walk?”

“Yeah.” She straightened, pushing away from his chest. “I’m fine.”

His hand wrapped around her elbow. “You’re not fine. Come on.”

24

Finn’s handremained firm on Rose’s lower back as they entered the Io’s crew canteen. His fingertips registered each unsteady step through her thin shirt.

The vast space echoed with their footsteps, empty metal benches gleaming under harsh fluorescent lights. A hint of past meals hung in the air, but all he could focus on was the faint floral scent of her hair.

His heart stuttered when she swayed again and he tightened his grip, hyper-aware of how fragile she felt against him.

“This isn’t the Environmental Control Hub.”

“I know.” He studied her pale face, the shadows under her eyes. “We have something to take care of first.” He held her gaze, letting his concern show. “Like you.”

“Oh.”

“Sit.” He guided her onto the nearest bench. His hands stayed on her shoulders, unwilling to break contact. “Don’t move.”

Rose tilted her head up at him, a frown creasing her forehead. “I’m fine,” she said. “You can let go of me.”

“I know.” His thumbs moved in slow circles on her shoulders, a touch he couldn’t seem to stop. “Maybe I don’t want to.”

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