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Too easy.
I don’t lower my weapon.
Don’t relax.
Don’t breathe.
“Tessa, stay—”
“I’m here,” she says behind me, her voice steady, but I can hear the adrenaline under it.
Good.
She’s holding it together.
I shift forward—
Eyes locked on Daniel.
Still on his knees.
Still breathing.
Blood running down his arm, dripping into the dirt.
His head hangs for a second like he’s done.
Finished.
Then—
He laughs.
Low.
Broken.
Every muscle in my body tightens.
“Something’s wrong,” I mutter.
“You think?” Trigger snaps from the side, moving in slow, controlled steps.
We close the distance.
Careful.
Measured.
I don’t take my eyes off him.
Not for a second.
“Hands,” I order.
Daniel lifts them slowly.
Too slowly.
