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His expression changes. “What?”

“You can't kill me.”

His fingers tighten slightly.

Fear shoots through me, but I don't let it show.

“You sure about that?”

“No.”

My voice shakes.

Fuck it.

“But if you wanted me dead, I'd already be dead.”

His eyes harden.

“You need Smoke.”

Nothing.

“You need the flash drive.”

Still nothing.

“And you think I'm how you're going to get them.”

“Stop talking.”

“That's why you took me.”

“I said stop.”

“You can't kill me because then I'm useless.”

His hand tightens.

I suck in a breath.

Okay. Maybe don't push quite that hard.

Then he releases me.

I cough.

But inside, a small victory lands.

Mercer steps back. “Get up.”

I stay against the tree. “No.”

He pulls out the gun. Every smart-ass comment in my head disappears.

My eyes lock on it.

“Get up.”