Chapter 27 · Untitled Chapter

"Don't." Daniel stepped between Lucas and Mark before Lucas could move. "Take one more step and I'll put you down."

Lucas stopped with his phone clenched in one hand. His face had gone white.

"My sister's eight," he said. "They've got her. If I don't kill him, they'll—"

"I know."

"No, you don't."

"I know exactly what they threatened. Now back away from Mark."

Daniel's hands were empty, but Lucas still looked at them like weapons. He glanced toward the door. Amy stood there, blocking it. Sarah had folded herself into the corner by the window. Mark hadn't moved from his chair.

Mark watched Lucas's thumb hover over the phone screen.

"Who are you calling?" Mark asked.

"The people who can keep her alive."

"The people who sent you here?"

Lucas's mouth tightened. "You think I wanted this?"

"I think you came here to kill me."

"I came here because they had my sister."

"Lucas," Daniel said. "Put the phone down."

"Go to hell."

Daniel took one step forward.

Lucas's arm jerked toward his jacket.

Amy raised her gun. "Try it."

"Everybody stop," Mark said.

The crown began to hum.

The sound was low enough to feel in their teeth.