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The man's eyes beaded with anger, and then his entire body folded with resolve. He sighed heavily with defeat. There was no point, and he knew it. He could never draw on me before I put a slug in his brain. I could guarantee he didn't love his job enough to risk his life. Most people don't.

“Slowly,” I demanded, aiming the gun at the tiny space between both eyes. The guard did as he was told and carefully took the gun out using two fingers around the butt. “Good man,” I said as I took it. I tucked it into my waist as I looked around. “Is Gerard back there?” I asked.

The guard looked over at the door and nodded. “Yeah, but I'm not letting you in there.”

“You don't have to let me in. I can let myself in.” I smugly grinned as I waved the gun towards the door. “Don't overvalue yourself.”

“You don't have a keycard. And that door is made to withstand a grenade.”

I looked down at the man and smiled. His brow lifted, and he pulled his face back as I breathed down his neck. I leaned in, making the guard even more uncomfortable. “Look what I found,” I said, plucking the card off his neck. “I'll just let myself in.” I flicked the edge of the keycard against his nose. “Now, get in that closet over there.”

He did as he was told, walking to the closet and stepping inside. “This is crazy,” the security guard said.

“Sit,” I demanded. He followed my directive and sat on the floor. “Give me the handcuffs.”

“For what?” the guard asked as he touched them softly.

“Just do it.” I pointed the gun at him. The man hung his head as he unclipped the handcuffs and gave them to me. I locked one tightly around his wrist and the other to a pipe in the closet. “Like I told your co-workers downstairs, I don't want to hurt you or anyone else. I just need a few minutes with Gerard.”

I closed the door and left him sitting in the dark. I slid the card through the slot. The light turned green, and the metal lock slid back. I pulled the door open, anxious, nervous, and excited to find Poppy and get the hell out of there.

I was hit by an explosive white light. I had to blink a few times to adjust to the brightness. It was what I would expect if you died and went to heaven. A light so bright it was blinding but also heavy enough to actually take your breath away.

As my eyes adjusted, I saw the room come alive. People were buzzing all over like bees around a hive. They were dressed in the same shade of white as the walls and the floor. No one looked up at me. They were all too occupied with their beakers and syringes. I glanced to my right and saw precisely what I needed.

Perfect.

I grabbed the fire alarm and pulled. The lights began to flash, and the alarm was so loud it vibrated my chest. The lab workers all looked up and around, and like perfect little ants, they began filing out of the room.

I moved through the maze of lab tables, looking for Poppy. I didn't see her anywhere, but I knew she was close. I could feel her. I could smell her sweet scent and sense her heavy heartbeat. My senses were peaked like a wolf on the hunt. I didn't have to see her to know she was here.

A door in the back of the room had her father's name on it. I could hear loud voices and faint, muffled growls. I tested the doorknob, but it was locked. The voices inside were becoming louder and more distressed. Anger. That was the most prevalent tone coming from inside.

Poppy screamed as I heard a smack. I didn't hesitate; I kicked down the door with one hard thrust. The door flew inward. Pieces of the frame splintered and exploded in different directions. My pupils opened to the size of saucers as I took in what was happening.

Poppy was on the floor on her knees. Her lip was bleeding, and her eyes were all puffy from crying. She was holding her stomach, and there was a large splotch of blood around her hands. The end of a small knife was poking out between her fingers.

He stabbed her. He fucking stabbed her!

Gerard was standing over her with a gun in his hand. . .Mygun in his hand. He had several scratches on his face, as if she had attacked him like a wild cat eager to disappear into the darkness.

“Leave her alone!” I yelled as I lifted the gun in my hand, aimed it at her father, and pulled the trigger.

Gerard's eyes enlarged as he stared at me in shock. The room held a silence so thick it was deafening. My ears were ringing,and the subtle vibration from the bullet exploding out of the barrel was working its way up my arm.

There was a void around Poppy and her father that was filled with blackness. It was as if they were illuminated by a bright light, and the rest of the room was covered with black drop cloths. I could only see them.

Poppy was peering at me. Her skin glistened with fresh tears. She was shaking her head as her entire body folded over. Relief washed over her as she watched the gun her father was holding fall to the floor. Poppy scurried back, her eyes never deviating from her father.

Gerard didn't say a word. His eyes glazed over as he looked at me. His hand came up to touch his chest. Gerard pulled his hand away and looked down. His fingers were covered in fresh blood. He tapped his fingertips together, smearing the blood back and forth. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

His eyes moved back to mine, then down to his daughter. The glaze turned chalky and dull as his legs gave out, and he dropped to the ground like a ton of bricks. I knew the fire department and the police were on the way because I had pulled the alarm. We had to get out. I needed to grab Poppy and leave before it was too late.

I looked down at Poppy. She was trembling as she pushed herself up off the floor. Our eyes met. Poppy's expression went from satisfied to stone still. Her eyes settled on my stomach. Her pupils expanded, and her mouth fell open.

“Come on, we've got to go while you still have the energy,” I said. “I have to take care of that wound.”

“Vega,” she whispered as she pointed.