Flint laughs. "There's three prospects, two women, and a dog. Against ten of us. Do the math, sweetheart."
One of the prospects moves, reaching for his radio to call for help.
A gunshot.
The prospect drops, clutching his shoulder. Not dead. But down.
Sakura screams.
Siren's finger tightens on the trigger, but Flint's faster. His gun is aimed at my head before she can fire.
"Drop it," he says calmly. "Or Grace dies right here. Your choice."
Siren hesitates, her eyes meeting mine.
I shake my head slightly. Don't.
But Flint cocks the hammer. "Now."
Siren lowers her weapon, her expression murderous.
Flint's smile widens. "Good choice." He looks at me, and his eyes are cold. Empty. "Now, Grace, you're going to comewith me. Quietly. Or everyone here dies. Starting with your new friends."
"Shadow will kill you," I say, my voice shaking but defiant. "My father will kill you. You won't make it out of Vegas alive."
"Maybe." Flint shrugs, unconcerned. "But by the time they figure out where you are, you'll already be in that cage I promised you. And trust me, sweetheart—once you're there, they'll never find you."
He steps forward, reaches for me.
And I do the only thing I can think of.
I run.
I make it maybe ten feet before someone grabs me from behind.
Strong arms, rough hands, lifting me off my feet.
I scream, kick, fight with everything I have.
Charlie's barking frantically, trying to help despite her cone.
But there are too many of them.
Flint's in front of me now, his hand wrapping around my throat.
Not choking. Just holding. A promise of what he could do.
"Enough," he says quietly. "You can come quietly, or I can knock you out and carry you. Your choice."
I spit in his face.
His expression doesn't change. He just wipes the spit away calmly, methodically.
"Knock her out," he says to whoever's holding me.
I feel the hit coming but can't avoid it.
Pain explodes across the back of my head.
