MARK

The ropes fell away from my wrists, leaving my skin raw and burning. My shoulder throbbed where she’d dug out the bullet, but I barely felt it. All I could think about was getting out—getting free.

Alice stood in front of me, watching with that maddening, unreadable smile. She was too calm. Too in control. I needed to change that.

I shifted my weight subtly, muscles tensing. She didn’t react. Maybe I could—

A gunshot exploded above my head. The wood paneling behind me splintered, ...