The cold steel of the gun glinted under the dim light of the warehouse as Anastasia’s trembling hand kept the barrel pointed at Samantha. Her face was a twisted mask of rage, desperation shining in her wide, unblinking eyes.
Jack stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “Anastasia, put the gun down. You don’t want this to end badly.”
“Don’t tell me what I want!” Anastasia snapped, her voice shrill and cracking. “Do you think you can just take everything from me? My family, my future, my life? No, Jack. You don’t get to decide how this ends!”
“Anastasia,” Jack tried again, his arms spread wide to show he wasn’t reaching for a weapon. “You’re surrounded. The police are outside. This isn’t going to go your way.”
Anastasia’s lip curled, her gaze darting between Jack and Samantha. “You thi
