He kissed her hand again.
Jade turned toward the Sovereign too quickly, attempting to hide the flustered smile that had already betrayed her.
"So," she asked, resting her palm against the roof, "what do you think?"
Phei finally let his attention return fully to the black machine; something about it felt different.
The exterior remained the same predatory sculpture he had chosen, every line sharpened for speed and violence, but the invisible leash around it was gone. The car seemed to sit lower now, more awake, like it knew someone had removed the muzzle while the lawyers were looking elsewhere.
Jade saw recognition enter his face.
"We removed everything you asked us to remove," she said. "Every manufacturer restriction, safety governor and remote intervention protocol."
Phei's smile spread.
