Samantha's POV
Everything stopped the minute Royce entered the room. In the little control room, the loud sound of the pistol c*****g sliced through the air like a blade. < Every muscle in my body tensed as my heart hammered in my chest and I met eyes with the man tormenting us from the shadows for so long.
Royce dominated the room with a cool, calculated presence that completely matched what I had envisioned—tall, forceful. His piercing, steely eyes swept over us and I could feel his might weighing down on me. He didn't need to utter a word to impose control; it was in his posture, in the nonchalant assurance with which he carried the rifle. He was deadly; we were simply into his trap.
Alex whispered, "Drop the gun," with a calm, steady voice that belied the strain under it. His bo
