Page 115 of Locked and Loaded

Dragan saw it. The bastard understood exactly what was happening. He was counting on the argument. Counting on hesitation.

"You see?" Georgiou murmured. "Even he knows you won't do it."

Without warning, Lennox shoved the knife harder against his throat. The blade bit through skin. A line of blood slid down the front of his white shirt.

Georgiou froze. The smile disappeared.

"You don't know me nearly as well as you think."

Behind the glass came the unmistakable crack of a pistol shot. The lock exploded. The door lurched inward. Both bodyguards surged through the opening, weapons already coming up.

"Lennox!" Dragan pivoted.

Two quiet, percussive shots came almost simultaneously.

Neither came from him.

The first bodyguard jerked violently as a round struck him high in the shoulder. The second barely had time to turn before another shot caught him squarely in the thigh, spinning him sideways into the wall.

Both men crashed to the floor.

Valardi stepped calmly through the shattered doorway, holding a pistol with the suppressor, now aimed at Georgiou.

"I leave you alone for two minutes," he said dryly, "and you've started the party without me."

Dragan darted his eyes back to Lennox. She was still standing exactly where she'd been. The knife still rested against Georgiou's throat. Blood trickled down the man’s neck, creating a garish stain on his crisp white shirt. Her breathing was ragged. Her entire body rigid. He lowered his own weapon slightly.

"Lennox."

She didn't move.

"He isn't worth it."

Her voice was barely audible. "He's all I've got."

"No." Dragan took one final step. "You've got me."

Her eyes finally lifted to his.

"We'll find Chloe."

"How?" she asked.

"I don't know." It wasn't the answer she wanted. It wasn't even the answer he wanted. But it was the truth.

"And that's enough?"

"No." He held her gaze. "But murdering him won't bring her back."

Silence settled over the corridor.

The fire alarm still wailed. Police and fire sirens were growing louder outside.

Georgiou stood perfectly still, scarcely daring to breathe.

Dragan never looked away from Lennox.

"Give me the knife."