Chapter 27 · Marcus Sold the Exit

Marcus is waiting at the exit with three guns pointed at Karl's chest.

I see them first. The hunters are spread in a half-circle just past the rusted service door, rifles up, red laser dots dancing across the concrete. Marcus stands off to the side with his arms crossed, face blank, like this is just another Tuesday pickup.

Karl stops.

I grab his arm. "Don't."

He doesn't look at me. His eyes are locked on Marcus. "You called them."

Marcus shrugs. One shoulder. Slow. "I gave you a route. Never said it was exclusive."

"You piece of—"

"Karl." I yank harder. The mark flares hot under my collarbone, and I feel his pulse through it—fast, angry, ready to do something stupid. "He set this up. If you move they'll shoot."

"They'll shoot anyway," Karl says. His voice is flat. Tired. Like he's been here before.

Marcus tilts his head. "Not necessarily. Depends on what the lady wants to do."

All three rifles shift. The red dots slide off Karl and land on me.

I freeze.

"See, here's the thing," Marcus says. He pushes off the wall, takes two steps closer.