“Now get on your knees,” Derek said.

Vincent didn’t move.

“I said get on your knees!” Derek screamed, his voice cracking.

He pulled me closer, using me as a shield.

My back was pressed against his chest.

I could hear his rapid heartbeat.

Vincent stood tall, his hands still raised.

“That was not part of the deal, Derek,” Vincent said.

“You wanted the guns.”

“You have them.”

“Now let the girl go.”

“You think I’m stupid?” Derek sneered.

“If I let her go, you’ll kill me before I reach the door.”

“She stays with me until I’m safe.”

“And she gives me the password.”

He shoved the silver pendant into my face.

“Tell him, Clara,” Derek hissed.

“Tell him the password.”

“I don’t know it,” I sobbed.

“I swear, I don’t know it!”

Derek raised the gun from my throat and pointed it at Vincent’s chest.

“Then he dies first,” Derek said.

“And you watch.”

“No!” I screamed.

“Wait!”

Vincent’s eyes never left Derek.

“She is telling the truth,” Vincent said.

“She does not know the keys.”

“Her father did not trust her with them.”