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Takeshi’s fist tightened as his turbulent gaze fixed on Dr. Strauss, but the prisoners closed in, blocking their view.

“Takeshi, please!” Her voice broke, and that made Takeshi run back to her. He took the gun and wrapped a protective arm around her.

“Let’s go.”

They sprinted out of the lab and into the reception area.

The woman from before sat motionless at the desk. Khalani spared her only a brief glance, noticing her mouth hanging open and a gaping bullet hole through the center of her forehead. Without a second thought, Khalani looked away, refusing to waste even a moment of sympathy on the cruel woman.

She had heard Khalani screaming but didn’t say anything. Didn’t protest. Only came in once to ask Dr. Strauss if he would like some coffee.

Silence is support.

They burst out of the black building, and Khalani took a deep breath, nearly crumpling from the torture she’d endured. But Takeshi held her upright, his arms tightening around her waist.

“I’m going to get us out of here,” he promised, his eyes burning with conviction. She nodded, drawing from his strength as chaos erupted around them.

Gunshots and screams rang out as lines of Dealers charged forward, firing at the Aces who retreated toward the tunnel entrance. About twenty stood firm, and Khalani’s pulse raced as she noticed several bodies lying motionless on the ground.

She recognized Spade, Raziel, and a few men from the Black Heart helping Jack and Ryder as they limped toward safety.

Relief flooded her when she spotted Elise and several other prisoners flanking the cavern, dodging bullets as they made their way to the tunnel.

Tears streamed down Elise’s face, and Khalani’s eyes widened.

Where was her father?

But then, someone else came into view.

“Brock!”

“There they are!” Brock screamed, turning to Takeshi and Khalani as they raced forward. Brock fired at another Dealer, hitting him squarely in the chest. More shots rained down and everyone ducked.

“We’re too outnumbered. Prepare to seal the tunnels!” Spade waved his arm, and everyone began retreating.

Takeshi pushed Khalani ahead, covering her back.

“Keep going,” he commanded. “Don’t stop, Kanes.”

Brock ran alongside her, glancing at her—and even Takeshi—with relief. He had deep lines under his eyes, as if he’d been nonstop worrying the entire week. Shots fired behind them, some zipping dangerously close.

One hundred feet ahead, dozens of empty transports waited.

“Go! Go! Go!” Spade yelled.

Half of the survivors scrambled into the vehicles, engines roaring to life as they sped off into the distance.

“Get ready to fire!” Raziel gestured to a man standing nearby with a metal device in his hands.

They were almost to the tunnel when another flurry of gunshots thundered out. Khalani ducked her head, still running furiously, when a deafening roar rang behind her, followed by a heavy crash.

Khalani stopped and turned.

Her body froze as Takeshi collapsed to the ground, a puddle of blood pooling across his back.

It felt as if time had come to a standstill. Each bullet suspended in midair. The terrifying screams faded into silence.

No.