Nick tested the rope again, ignoring the pain as it bit deeper into his wrists. One way or another, he’d fix this. He’d get himself free and make sure they got out of this alive.
The storm tore at the building, wind shrieking through cracks and shaking the timbers. Something above him groaned under the pressure. The old structure was taking a beating.
“It’s getting rough out there,” Joe said, nodding toward the window Nick had tried to fix earlier. The boards rattled, and snow blew in through the cracks.
“Perfect weather for what needs to happen,” George replied. “Amazing how many people die in blizzards. Tragic, really.”
Kelsey was standing near the far wall, still holding the knife George had given her. She’d been quiet since finishing with the rope, staring at the floor like she was trying to disappear. But Nick noticed she hadn’t put the knife down.
“Kelsey,” George said. “Come here. I need you to check those knots, make sure our friends are properly secured.”
Kelsey looked up, her face pale. “They’re secure. I did what you asked.”
“I want to be sure. These people are resourceful. Can’t have anyone wiggling free at an inconvenient moment.”
Nick watched Kelsey’s face as she processed George’s order. Something shifted in her expression—a flicker of resolve, maybe even defiance.
“Come on,” George said impatiently. “Check the rope on the women first. They’re closest.”
Kelsey walked slowly toward Gina and Brooke, the knife still clutched in her hand. Nick held his breath, hoping she would do the right thing, but afraid to hope too hard.
“Everything tight?” George asked.
Kelsey knelt behind Gina and Brooke, ostensibly checking their bonds. But Nick noticed she positioned herself carefully, keeping her body between the knife and George’s line of sight.
“Looks good,” she said, her voice steadier than it had been in hours.
“Now check the men,” George ordered.
Kelsey rose slowly, moving toward Joe before stopping. She squared her shoulders and set her jaw. “Actually, I need to tell you something.”
“What?”
“I lied about the flash drive,” Kelsey said. “What I gave you isn’t everything. There are more files. Insurance files. I kept copies.”
George’s face darkened. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the fact that I’m not as stupid as you think I am. Did you really believe I’d hand over my only leverage?”
“Where are the other files?” George demanded.
“Safe. And if anything happens to me, or to my friends, those files go straight to the FBI.”
George raised his gun and pointed it at Kelsey. “You’re bluffing.”
She flinched but quickly recovered, her voice still steady. “Am I? You want to bet your employers’ freedom on that?”
While George watched Kelsey, Nick watched Gina and Brooke. Kelsey had cut the rope, and Gina’s hands were free. Now Gina was working on Brooke’s rope.
“Even if you have copies, you’ll never use them,” George said, his voice rising. “You’re in too deep. You use those files, you destroy yourself too.”
“Maybe. But I’ll take them down with me.” She lifted her chin. “I’ll take everyone down.”
The wind outside reached a new level of intensity, making the whole building shudder. Something crashed against the exterior wall.
George stepped in to check the windows again.
Kelsey moved.
