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Marco’s punching in the code.

I grab my bag and dig out the knife I buried at the bottom.

There’s one long beep, signaling that Marco has punched the code in correctly, and the door opens.

I’m already waiting.

As soon as the big ape steps ins, I slip out from behind the door and plunge my knife into his neck.

He bellows, more from rage than pain I think, because he manages to swing around at me.

The knife falls out of his neck, hitting the floor with a clatter.

I take a hit to the face and stumble back a few steps before I hit the wall. A second longer and his fist would have been buried in my stomach, but I managed to dodge him.

He comes at me again. I’m ready this time and get a good punch into his side. It’s not enough to take him down though.

His fist lands, then mine. Back and forth we go. I throw my shoulder into his stomach, running at him as fast as I can muster. It throws him off his balance and we hit the ground together.

Just as I scramble off of him, he lets out a blood curling scream.

Blood pours out of his neck.

I blink at my knife sticking straight out of his throat.

He gurgles, choking on his blood and probably the blade of the knife.

“He’s not going to hurt you anymore.” Harley wraps her hand around the hilt of the knife and yanks it free.

I take the knife from her, kissing her wrist as I do. Stepping away from the monster on the ground, I check in on Jimmy.

He’s passed out now. Drool slides down his cheek and drips onto the floor.

I wipe the blood off the knife with his shirt then toss it in my bag.

“How are we going to take him downstairs?” she asks. “And how am I going to go outside like this?” She waves her hands over her naked form.

I pull out a long black T-shirt dress and give it to her.

“I need to clean those little cuts on your back, but it’s going to have to wait until we get out of here.” I brush her hair from her face. “Are you all right?”

Her cheeks are flushed, but her eyes– there is so much life in them.

“I’m fine. I’ll be even better once we’re done with him.” She pulls the dress over her head.

“Good. This guy can stay here, but we need to get Jimmy across the hall into that elevator. It should lead to the alley we came in.”

“No one’s going to think it’s weird, us carrying him?” She tilts her head.

“Helping a drunk friend to my car. It’s fine.”

I quickly change my shirt as well, before I handle Jimmy.

He’s a heavy fucker, but I’ve carried heavier.

Throwing him over my shoulder, I look back at Harley.

“Get the bag.”

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