Chapter 7
The emergency lights flickered on, casting everything in violent red.
Sienna screamed.
Security scattered.
Elena turned slowly.
Teddy stood near the entrance, gun raised, expression unreadable.
“You’re sloppy,” he said calmly.
She studied him.
Older. Broader. Harder.
“You’re predictable.”
He smirked.
“You think killing Marcus scared me?”
She didn’t answer.
Because fear wasn’t what she wanted from him.
She wanted regret.
“You ruined everything,” he continued. “We had it handled.”
“You mean the narrative?”
“You weren’t supposed to fight back.”
She took one slow step forward.
“You should’ve made sure I couldn’t.”
His finger tightened slightly on the trigger.
“Josh woke up.”
Her heart did not skip.
It froze.
“And?” she asked.
“He doesn’t remember everything,” Teddy said. “But he remembers enough.”
Her mind sharpened instantly.
Enough.
Enough to what?
“Put the gun down,” she said softly.
He laughed.
“Or what?”
“Or I show the world who you are.”
He fired.
She moved before the sound fully registered.
The bullet shattered neon glass behind her.
She lunged.
The gun skidded across the floor.
They collided into a display table.
Glass exploded.
Teddy was strong.
Still.
He pinned her wrist.
“You’re not stronger than me.”
She met his eyes.
“I don’t need to be.”
She drove her knee into his ribs.
He grunted.
She twisted free.
The gun slid closer.
He dove.
So did she.
Her hand closed around it first.
She didn’t hesitate.
The shot echoed.
Teddy staggered back, clutching his shoulder.
Blood soaked through his sleeve.
He stared at her in disbelief.
“You wouldn’t kill me,” he rasped.
She aimed steadily.
“You’re not special.”
Sirens wailed in the distance.
He smiled faintly despite the blood.
“You’re too late.”
“For what?”
“For Josh.”
Her finger tightened.
“What did you do?”
He laughed weakly.
“You’ll see.”
The sirens grew louder.
Elena lowered the gun just enough to step closer.
“Listen carefully,” she said quietly.
“If he dies because of you…”
She pressed the barrel against his forehead.
“I won’t make it quick.”
Police lights flashed outside the studio.
Teddy collapsed.
Still breathing.
But smiling.
Elena’s phone buzzed again.
Hospital alert.
Josh Carter — Critical condition.
Her breath stopped.
The game wasn’t over.
It had never been about Marcus.
Or Sienna.
Or even Teddy.
It was about Josh.
