We slid into the dark, private garage, and the door shut behind us, cutting off the city.

The silence inside the garage was absolute.

“Stay in the vehicle while I sweep the building,” Victor said, stepping out.

He held a black handgun close to his thigh as he vanished into the shadows.

I turned to Arthur in the dim light of the cabin.

The blood on his shoulder had spread, wetting a large portion of his sleeve.

“We need to stop the bleeding,” I said.

“It is fine, Kate,” he said.

His tone was firm, but his eyes were tight with pain.

“It is not fine,” I said, finding a sudden spark of resolve.

“You shielded me.”

“It was the logical choice,” he said.

“You are of no use to me dead.”

“Don’t do that,” I said, looking him in the eyes.

“Don’t pretend you only care about your investment.”

He stared at me, his dark eyes searching my face in the shadows.

For a moment, the cold, calculating facade he always wore seemed to slip.

“Victor,” Arthur called out as the driver returned to the car.