Chapter 6 · The Twelfth Floor Bites

"Don't move."

Vera's voice cuts through the stairwell before I clear the ninth-floor landing. I stop. Iris is two steps behind me, breathing hard.

"Hands up," Vera says. "Both of you."

I raise them slow. The red dot on my chest doesn't waver. She's got backup this time—three guards fanned out on the landing above, rifles trained down.

"Vera." I keep my voice level. "We're not the threat here."

"You shot my people." Her face is stone. "You burned through two floors like a wrecking ball. You want me to believe you're the good guy?"

"I want you to believe the building's rigged," I say. "Whatever they told you about lockdown protocol—it's a lie. Someone's running this from the inside."

She doesn't blink. "Who?"

"I don't know yet."

"Then you're no use to me." She shifts her stance. "Ms. Vaughn, step away from him."

Iris moves closer instead. Her shoulder brushes mine. "He's telling the truth."

"With respect, ma'am, you've been under duress. He could be—"

"He saved my life," Iris cuts in. "Twice. How many of your people can say that tonight?"

Vera's jaw tightens. The dot stays on my chest.

"Twelve," I say.

She frowns. "What?"

"Floor twelve.