Every day I walk to the ocean and envision my escape. I have been testing the fence at that area. If I can break through, then make my way down the coast until I find a boat docked, maybe I will have a chance at freedom.
—The diary of Megan Jean
“What are you doing?” Alex asked.
He was crouched down next to the room housing Rod. Mia was going against Riley’s instructions, but their ploy was over with. She saw the redheaded woman pressed against the wall, twenty feet away from her. Not close enough to show up in whatever camera angle Grant had. This was Mia’s only chance and she was taking it.
Grant was staring right at her. His gun was pointed at her head. Mia glanced to her left. Rod was lying in the bed. A man who wasn’t Rex had a giant weapon next to his head.
“I want Carter’s deal,” Mia said.
“What deal is that?” Grant asked.
“Me for Rod,” Mia said. “Alex will take him now.”
“That wasn’t transferable,” Grant said.
“Then we can all kill each other,” Mia said.
“Step inside the room,” Grant said. “Then Hansen can push the bed out to Alex. I wouldn’t take your time. Ever since you ran over Hansen he has been eager to get his revenge.”
Mia knew not to trust Grant; she was unsure how to proceed.
“I think revenge is your game,” Grant said.
Mia stepped inside the room. She blocked the door from slamming shut and trapping her.
“Hansen, wheel the bed out,” Grant said. “But don’t take your weapon off of him.”
“Where should I push the bed?” Hansen asked.
“To the hallway of course,” Grant said.
A smile spread across his face. Mia knew he had no intention of letting any of them leave alive. The only reason Grant hadn’t pulled the trigger yet was because of his arrogance. Mia had a feeling whatever death he was imagining for her was one thousand times worse than being shot in the head.
“What if they try to take me hostage?” Hansen asked.
“Tell them I don’t care for you one bit and will spill your blood as quick as I spilled Rex’s,” Grant said.
Mia breathed in hard. She kept her gun aimed at Grant and slid along the wall of the room, giving Hansen the space to wheel Rod’s bed into the hallway.
“Oh,” Grant said. “You didn’t think I would notice you turned my man against me?”
“I was never certain he switched sides,” Mia said.
“I was,” Grant said. “Tell me, do you regret his death? Or your father’s? Or that of the agent you beat to death with a rock?”
“You mean the night I beat you?” Mia asked.
“If you beat me then why are you in my house?” Grant asked.
“I wanted to rub it in,” Mia said.
“I should shoot you right now,” Grant said.
“I’ll pull the trigger first,” Mia said.
Grant did something so unexpected Mia didn’t know how to respond. He lowered his gun.
“I’m all yours,” Grant said.
Every ounce of Mia’s being told her to pull the trigger, but she knew that would mean Rod was dead, since Grant’s newest henchman still had the weapon on him. She tried to focus on the future. If Grant’s wedding didn’t happen, then her chance at destroying the Registry would evaporate too. He had to survive tonight. Grant broke eye contact with Mia. She kept her focus on him as he made his way to the door. Mia was scared he was going to head into the hallway, but instead he lifted his arm and flung the door shut.
“Alone at last,” Grant said. “You haven’t killed me yet.”
“Back away from me,” Mia said.
“Maybe I underestimated you,” Grant said.
Mia tried not to show any fear as he positioned himself in front of her, ignoring her request. He crept closer to Mia and she responded by pulling the gun into herself, making sure it was still pointed at him. Grant reached up and put his hand on her shoulder. Mia tried hard to fight off the chill that came with his touch. He ran his hand down her arm and pulled the weapon from her hand before flinging it across the room.