"Not a chance."

"Claudia, go," I say over my shoulder.

"Petr-" she objects.

"Don't even think about it, Claud," The Monster snaps and raises the lighter.

"Go. Now," I tell her softly. "He's a coward. He won't do anything. Take my phone and call the police." I toss it to her. In a town this size, it'll take less than three minutes for the police to arrive.

"Claudia, I swear to god, if you don't -"

She shifts towards the door, hesitates and then pauses in the doorway, meeting my gaze briefly before disappearing into the hallway.

"Claudia!" The Monster's face blazes red. He starts to the door.

I slide between him and the exit, assessing our positions once more. There's still furniture between us. My prosthetic leg has been tested through an obstacle course and various sports, but I hesitate to tackle a solid armchair. If I mess up, I put her in danger. My best position is to stay between him and the door, and to wait for my chance.

"Let's see how brave you are," The Monster says and draws a knife. He keeps the lighter in his hand. "You move, or we both go down in flames."

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I laugh. "Been there. Done that. Didn't enjoy the trip, but I survived." I lean down to pat my leg with the weapon. The sound of metal on metal is unmistakable. "The question isn't whether or not I'm ready for a return trip. It's whether or not you can hang."

The Monster eyes my leg.

I've met men like this before, those who prey on the weak because they can. Narcissistic sociopaths. The military draws that kind every once in a while. They're brilliant killers when they have the upper hand but cowards to their cores. They're the kind of men who run when ambushed, unlike the men on my team. Men like Sawyer, whose first mission as a commander lost four of the bravest men I've ever known. Men like Orion, whose minds broke when he tried to confront his demons.

Men like Mikael who plunged into the flames to save me.

The Monster is nothing like the kind of men I know, love and respect.

"There's only one way this can end," I tell him almost gently. "And you don't win. I know the feds have a warrant out for your arrest. Surrender peacefully, and you leave here on your feet, alive and well. Make a run for it, and I'll do whatever I have to in order to stop you."

I hear the sounds of sirens. It's hard to know the direction or proximity through the walls of the building. The Monster pauses, listening as well.




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