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The bastard smiles beneath his mask. I can see it in his eyes.

"He's dead."

"No."

"Buried him myself. The bastard refused to give up the name until the very last."

Kierra's fingers go slack.

For one second, the whole fucking room goes quiet.

Then she whispers, "You bastard."

The man laughs.

Something hot and ugly tears through my chest.

I want him on the floor.

Want his gun gone. Want my hands around his throat.

But Kierra's standing behind me, and wanting something doesn't mean shit if I get her killed reaching for it.

"Last chance," he says. "Name and location."

"You're not getting either."

He steps closer.

"Then I'll start with you."

Motorcycle engines roar outside.

The man's head turns.

So does the gun.

My opening.

I slam into him.

His weapon discharges, the shot cracking through the cabin as I drive his arm upward.

Kierra screams.

We hit the floor hard.

I wrench his wrist against the boards until the gun comes loose, then drive my fist into his face.

Once.

Twice.

He stops fighting.

A shout comes from the doorway.

"Vex!"