Jack was halfway through bypassing the final lock when he sensed her. Not heard—sensed. Like the air pulled tighter. Aurora stepped into the dimly lit corridor, the red emergency lights casting soft shadows across her face. Calm. Controlled. Too composed for someone here to stop him. “Aurora,” he said without turning fully. “You shouldn’t be here.” “Funny,” she replied, walking closer, heels silent. “I was about to say the same to you.” He kept his hands busy on the panel, forcing himself not to look at her. If he did, he wouldn’t stop. “You won’t get this done,” she said quietly. Jack exhaled slowly. “I don’t get distracted that easily.” She hummed, stepping close enough that he felt the warmth of her body at his side. “Don’t you?” He finally looked at her. Mistake. Close. Too close. Her eyes caught the red light, soft but unreadable. “This won’t work,” he murmured. “That’s what you said last time,” she said, voice low, almost amused. “And yet… here we are.” He swallowed. “Aurora.” She touched his arm—barely. A whisper of contact. He froze. “You can walk away,” he said, though it came out rougher than intended. “I could,” she said gently, “but neither of us will.” And then she leaned in. Not forceful. Not rushed. Just slow enough to give him every chance to stop her. He didn’t. Her lips brushed his—soft, hesitant, testing. He resisted for half a heartbeat. Then he folded. His hand slid to her waist, pulling her in as he kissed her back, deeper, hungrier than he meant to. She smiled into the kiss like she’d been expecting it, fingers curling into the front of his shirt as the world around them fell away. This wasn’t a battle. It was surrender in slow motion. The mission communicator on his belt crackled faintly—he didn’t even flinch. But she heard it. “Aurora, target neutralized. Extraction complete.” She eased out of the kiss gently, leaving him breathless, stunned, still holding her. Her thumb brushed his jaw once before she stepped back. “Looks like I did my job,” she whispered, eyes flicking to his lips. He blinked, trying to steady himself. “Aurora—wait—” She was already stepping into the shadows, pausing only to send him a soft, wicked smile. “See you soon, Jack.” And then she was gone.

The Next Day Her phone buzzed while she lay sprawled across her couch.

Jack Wilder: We’re not done.