Page 65 of Cat and Mouse

Suddenly, I hear a loud crash from the living room. I'm guessing it's Leo.

"What the hell was that?" one of the guys shouts.

"Go check it out!"

"Fuck that. I'm not leaving you here."

I hear Leo's voice, low and menacing. "You really don't want to do this."

"Who the fuck are you?" one of the intruders yells.

"Your worst nightmare."

There's a scuffle, and I wince at the sounds of punches and grunts. I should be helping him, but I'm frozen.

"Get the fuck off me!" Leo growls.

"Leo!" I shout, desperation clawing at me. "I'm in here!"

"Stay put!"

The noise escalates. I creep toward the door and open it a crack. I can't see much, just a blur of movement in the hallway. I want to rush out, but I can't. Not yet.

"Where's the girl?" I hear Leo growl. "You don't want to hurt her."

"She's a dead woman walking."

"Not if I have anything to say about it."

I grip the knife tighter, ready to leap out if I need to.

"Get him!" one of the guys yells, and I hear another loud thud, then six gun shots in quick succession.

Then, everything goes silent. I hold my breath, waiting, hoping Leo's okay.

A moment later, Leo appears at the bathroom door, breathing hard, his shirt torn. "Liz, come on!"

I scramble out, rushing into his arms. "Thank God you're here!"

He holds me tight, his grip firm, reassuring. "We need to go. Now."

"What about them?" I ask, looking into the hallway.

"Forget them. I'll deal with it."

He pulls me toward the door, and I follow him, adrenaline pumping through my veins. "I'm not leaving you here."

"You don't have a choice." He pulls me outside, leading me to his car parked down the street. "Get in!"

I jump in the passenger seat, my leg screaming in protest, but I don't care. I need to get out of here.

"Start the car," he snaps, glancing back at the apartment.

I turn the key, and the engine roars to life. "What about the cops?"

"Not now. They'll take too long." He shuts my door, circles the car, and jumps into the driver's seat.

"What do you mean?"

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