I don’t actually know that any of us got this or if I’ll even be alive long enough to find out that answer, but here we fucking go. Shitty shitty, bang bang and all that.

I pull out my gun, puff out a quick exhale, and take off the safety. Once we’re out of here, we can work out what’s next, but I can’t lie, I’m going to miss the penthouse. I didn’t know beds could be so comfortable or that kissing a man could be so hot.

For one stalling second, I want to ask Lars if our horoscopes say we’ll survive this, but if that answer is no, I don’t want it.

I’m gonna manifest myself one more day.

“P-Perry,” St. Clare starts from behind me.

I shush him, grab the handle, and yank the front door open. The hallway is deserted, just one long stretch of bare wall with fancy lights that opens to the elevator bank at the end. I can’t make out anyone lurking down there, but my heart is thadum-ping heavy and loud as I grip the gun harder.

I give myself a second to scan the area before stepping out into clear range.

My guts don’t immediately end up on the floor.

So that’s a relief.

It doesn’t do much to settle the rage of adrenaline overriding my system, and I jog the length of the hallway to the elevators. A moment later, St. Clare and Lars bolt after me.

“There’s only one,” Lars points out.

“There are more a few floors down. You two can get out there and find another one. Then we meet down there.”

“Okay.”

“What if there’s no one actually after us?” St. Clare asks.

“There’s someone after us.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I’d prefer to believe it than sit around waiting for them to get a clear shot.”

“Fair point,” he mutters.

Lars laughs. “I think that’s the first time we’ve agreed on something.”

The elevator dings a second before it opens, and I have enough forethought to quickly wrench St. Clare out of the way in case someone is inside.

They aren’t.

I return his amused look with an apologetic one of my own. “Just in case.”

“I appreciate it.”

Our nerves are all on edge, and as much as he tries to play it cool, I can tell this is the kind of situation he never would have thought he’d land in. We’re twinsies like that, I guess, and the only one who willingly put themself in this position is Lars, so I’d like one hundred percent fewer complaints from him moving forward.