"Probably not."
"Then what—"
"I don't have to win, Nora. I just have to keep them busy until help arrives." I move to the bedroom doorway. Position myself where I can see the front door. "Five minutes. I can make five minutes last a lifetime if I have to."
"You'll get hurt."
The concern in her voice does something to me, but I don’t have the time to overthink.
"I'll be fine." Probably a lie. But a useful one.
Footsteps outside my door now. A pause. Then knocking.
Hard. Authoritative.
"Open up. Building security check."
I almost laugh. Building security. In Blackwater Falls. At two in the fucking morning.
They must think I'm stupid.
"Not interested," I call back. Calm. Conversational. "Try next door."
Silence. Then more knocking. Harder.
"Sir, we need to check all units. There's been a break-in."
"Call the cops then." I grip the bat. Test my stance. "I'm trying to sleep."
I can hear them conferring. Low voices. Then—
"We're coming in."
"Door's locked," I point out.
"Won't be for long."
There's a crash. They're not even pretending anymore. Just trying to break through.
Good. Anger makes people sloppy.
"Nora." I don't turn around. Keep my eyes on the door. "When this starts, you stay in that corner. Don't move. Don't make a sound. No matter what you see or hear. Understand?"
"Marcus—"
"Do you understand?"
"Yes." Her voice breaks. "Yes, I understand."
The door splinters. Once. Twice. They're using something heavy, probably a battering ram.
Three more hits and the lock gives.
The door slams open.
Four men pile through. Tactical gear. Pistols drawn. Professionals. They see me immediately. Standing in the bedroom doorway with a baseball bat like I'm about to play the world's most violent game.
"Where's the girl?" A guy with a buzz cut asks.
