We continue down the stairs.My heart rate rises.
When we reach the last floor, I know we’re in the right place.
Tension pulls my senses tight, and I don’t even need Lucky to open the door to hear them in my head.
By the time we’ve stepped out of the stairwell, it’s too late.
There they are.Five guys in masks, one in a helmet.Just like Sterling said.
They stand outside the vault door, packed duffels in hand, stilling at the sight of us.
“The fuck?”
The bags hit the floor with a bang.They raise their guns.
“Mia,”comes the command in Sterling’s mind, and maybe he yells it as well, but they’ve started shooting, and it’s all I can do to rush back into the stairwell, taking the stairs two at a time.
I’m already at the next floor when Lucky calls out.Shit, I forgot.
Lucky grips Sterling’s hand and holds the other out for me.“We have to go.”
I can’t reach him; they’re too far away.
The stairwell bursts open.
Bullets pierce the walls, cut through the gap between us.
Sterling’s eyes are pleading, but it’s too late.They need to go.Now.
“Go!”I scream at Lucky.“Get him out of here.”
* * *
Make Your Choice:
they go(go to 76)
they stay(go to 74)
go back(go to 68)
The world is moving.I can’t see it, but I feel it, swaying gently.
I’m surrounded by warmth.
Slowly, the rest of my senses filter back in.
Noise and light and a screaming pain in my lungs.My head is pounding.
“I shouldn’t have fucking left you.”
I know that voice, but it’s coming from a strange place.Above me.Close.Almost as if he’s …
I blink my eyes open to find Sterling holding me.No, not holding—carrying me.The cut on his cheek is bleeding again, and there are tears falling from his eyes.
“Don’t you dare die on me,” he says.
“Who’s dying?”I croak out.
