The wind outside had picked up again, howling around the old building with renewed fury. Whatever brief lull they’d experienced was over. The storm was back with a vengeance, rattling the boarded windows and finding every gap in the structure.
“The storm’s getting worse,” Joe said, his voice tight with fear.
“Perfect,” George replied. “Better cover for what needs to happen here.”
Gina watched Kelsey’s face crumble as she realized what George meant. Even after all she’d done, Gina believed her friend had been holding onto the hope that maybe, somehow, this could end without violence. But George made it clear that hope was gone.
“I can’t tie up my friends,” Kelsey said, her voice breaking.
“They aren’t your friends anymore,” George said coldly. “Friends don’t put each other in danger. You did that the moment you started stealing files.”
“I didn’t have a choice—”
“You always have a choice. You chose money over loyalty. You chose your career over their safety. Own it.”
Gina saw Nick shift slightly, positioning himself where he could move quickly if needed. But George noticed too.
“You.” George pointed at Nick. “Over there. Away from the others.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re the wild card. Military training, construction work, and you probably know how to fight. You’re the one most likely to try something stupid.”
“I don’t have military training,” Nick clarified.
“Maybe not, but you move like someone who knows how to handle himself. And I’ve seen how the others look at you. They trust you to protect them.” George smiled. “Can’t have that.”
Nick glanced at Gina, and she saw the conflict in his eyes. He wanted to refuse, wanted to stay close enough to help if things went bad. But George was holding a gun, and defiance would only make things worse.
“Move,” George ordered. “To the other side of the room.”
Nick walked slowly to where George indicated, near the far wall. The distance between them felt like a chasm. Gina realized that whatever happened next, Nick was too far away to form a united front. Whatever she needed to do, she’d be on her own.
She looked toward Kelsey’s backpack, where the bear spray was visible. Could she reach it? Could she deploy it before George could respond with the gun? Even if she did use the spray, would it be enough to keep him from shooting wildly? Somehow, she doubted it.
“Better,” George said. “Now, Kelsey, pick up the rope.”
Kelsey looked at the rope, then at Nick, tears streaming down her face. “I can’t.”
“You can and you will. Unless you want me to start making this situation even worse.”
The threat was clear. Kelsey’s shoulders dropped as she shook her head. She took a step toward the rope, bending over to retrieve it. “Sorry,” she whispered to no one in particular. “I never meant for this to happen.”
“Good girl,” George said, his voice condescending. “Now walk over here.”
She swallowed and obeyed. When she got close, he slipped a hand into his pocket. Gina held her breath. A flash of metal caught the light, and Kelsey yelped as he pressed a button and a blade snapped free.
“Relax.” George chuckled. “What’d you think? I’d make you chew through the rope?”
He handed her the knife. “Careful, it’s sharp. Don’t want you cutting yourself, now do we?”
She took the knife with shaking hands, avoiding George’s gaze. Kelsey moved toward Nick, her feet dragging along the floor.
As she approached Nick, George said, “Jackets off. All four of you.”
“What? No.” Gina shook her head.
The muzzle of the gun shot in her direction. “Don’t mess with me, young lady. Take off your coat. Now.”
