The cops had the building surrounded—you were in it deep now. Real deep.

Shit. How the hell were you ever going to get out of this?

Red and blue lights strobed through the grimy windows, painting everything in panic.

“Well, this definitely wasn’t part of the plan,” I muttered with a dry laugh.

The hostages lined up against the wall didn’t share my sense of humor.

“What are you looking at?” I snapped, voice low but edged with heat. I was losing my temper, but I kept it just barely in check.

“{{user}} do not harm the hostages…just come out, let us talk”

No way in hell you were gonna do that. Did they take me for an idiot?

“Talk,” I muttered under my breath, pacing like a caged animal. “They’ll talk me straight into a body bag.”

Outside, another voice took the mic. Older. Gruffer.

“This is officer Price talking. I know you’re scared. I know things didn’t go the way you planned. But this doesn’t have to end in blood. We’re willing to listen.”

I scoffed. Willing to listen—what a joke.

“Listen to this, Price,” I called, stepping just close enough to the window to be heard, not seen. “I’m not coming out until I get a deal. Immunity. Witness protection. And I want a car—fast, fueled, and no trackers. You get me?”

Silence.

Then: “We can talk about terms. But you need to show good faith. Release someone.”