His eyes met hers for half a heartbeat, and she saw it—something flickering there.
A signal.
Jason moved slightly behind her, subtle as breath.
Olive’s heart raced. She glanced beside her. Saw the fire poker.
Her best choice of weapon right now.
This was their plan.
Misdirection. Make JJ think they were giving in. That they didn’t care about Michael.
Then take him by surprise.
Rex stepped aside, motioning Michael forward. “I’m not willing to risk my team for this guy. Take him. He’s yours.”
Michael’s face went white, and he began shaking with panic. “You can’t do this?—”
Rex’s look silenced him.
JJ’s stance loosened just a fraction—victory creeping in at the edges of his face. “Smart choice.”
“But—” Michael started.
JJ motioned toward the door. “We’re leaving. Now.”
That was Olive’s cue.
In one motion, she grabbed the fire poker and swung it upward, hitting JJ’s wrist.
Jason lunged, slamming JJ back into the wall.
They grappled, boots sliding on the wood floor.
Tevin’s drone buzzed to life again—a whirring distraction that pulled JJ’s eyes for a split second.
It was all Olive needed.
She charged forward, shoving JJ’s arm against the wall.
The gun clattered across the floor, spinning out of reach.
But JJ was fast—faster than she expected.
He twisted, driving an elbow into Jason’s ribs.
Then he dove for the fallen gun.
The world seemed to slow—the scrape of metal, the sound of Olive’s breath, the flicker of firelight.
Then—
Bang!
The sound tore through the room.
Gunfire.
