“And you are?”
“You bet your ass I am.I’m about to change lives, and there’s not a goddamn thing you can do about it.”
Something about the computers is bugging me.It’s that flashing.It’s still going.
I remember how jumpy Hal got when I went for the desk earlier.And all those times I caught him staring over there.
Oh my God.
Sterling and Hal are still talking, but I can’t hear it, can’t think of anything, except,I need to get to that thumb drive.
It’s got to be that; it’s the only thing that makes sense, and I’m only going to have one shot to try and get it.
My heart pounding, I shift onto my knees, thrusting the scissors into Sterling’s hand.I can’t stop to make sure he grabbed them.I have to keep moving, lunging for the light that’s been flicking on and off all afternoon.
Behind me, there’s movement and noise, but I can’t look back.I have to trust Sterling will be okay.I reach the computer with my arm outstretched like a relay racer, and with one swift pull, I free the USB from the port.
The light dies, and I hear Hal roar.
A body slams into me, throwing me to the ground.I curl up, sliding my hand under my belly, protecting the drive.Hal pushes and pulls and scratches at me, until the weight pinning me down is gone, and I look up to see Sterling standing between us.
Protecting me.
Hal stands, a sneer taking over his face.He’s wrestled the scissors from Sterling, and he wields them now, slashing at the air, trying to push Sterling back.
“I’m not leaving here without that drive.”
I shove it in my pocket, next to the recorder, and scramble toward the door.
Hal lunges for Sterling, who twists his shoulders before pushing forward, catching Hal in the face with his fist.
Hal drops immediately, out cold.
I blink up at him, and all I see is blood.
“Shit,” he says, curling his fingers over the cut on his palm, trying to stem the blood flow.Hopefully, the fact that he’s still able to move them is a good sign.No nerve damage.Maybe the cut isn’t that deep.
“Are you okay?”
Me?That’s who he’s worried about right now?
“Good,” I lie.“You stayed with me.”
“Of course.”
Of course.Like it’s nothing.Simple.Because I asked, soof course.
“Why?”
I might as well have asked him if he hunts for sport.
“What do you mean, why?”
“You stayed.”
“Mia, of course I stayed.”
He keeps saying that.
