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“You kidnapped me.”

“You could've killed us.”

I stare at him. “You kidnapped me.”

“Do you have any idea what you just did?”

I gesture toward the blood covering the side of his face. “Improved your personality?”

He starts toward me.

I move backward. “Stay where you are.”

“No.”

“Callie.”

“Still not friends.”

His good hand moves toward his waistband.

My heart stops.

Gun.

Of course he has a fucking gun.

I turn and run into the woods. Branches immediately claw at my clothes. Leaves crunch beneath my shoes.

Behind me, Mercer swears.

I keep going.

My shoulder screams. My head pounds. Every step sends pain through my ribs.

But I don't stop.

I hear him behind me. “Callie!”

I duck beneath a low branch.

“Come back.”

I almost laugh.

Sure. Absolutely. Let me just turn around and return to my kidnapper because he asked nicely.

A tree root catches the toe of my shoe.

I stumble. My hands hit the ground. Pain tears through my palm.

I scramble up before I even fully register it.

Move.

Just move.

The woods get thicker.