Chapter 90 Kellan

Chapter 90 Kellan
KELLAN’S POV

My heart rattled so strongly inside my chest that for one instant, I almost believed Carl would hear it. He had Amanda pressed against him with a knife glinting in the poor light that was far too close to her throat for comfort. Her eyes darted to mine, wide, terrified, pleading.

“Carl," I said, stepping forward slowly, my palms up and my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "Let her go. You don't need to do this."

"Stay back!" Carl barked, jerking Amanda closer. She winced as the blade nicked her skin.

I froze. Every instinct in me was screaming to charge him, to rip him away from her. But I couldn't risk it-not when he was this unstable.

“I'm telling you, Kellan, another step closer and she is history!"

“Okay, okay," I said, moving a cautious step backwards. "You're the one in control here, Carl. You've made your point."

“You think you are better than me," Carl scoffed. His voice was wavering with anger and desperation; his words were volatile, his articulation weak. "Always appearing like you think you're some hero. But you're nothing, Kellan. Nothing.”

I bit hard and fought for a level tone. "I'm not here playing at being the hero, Carl. I'm here to end this before it gets bigger. You don't want to hurt her. You don't want it to be ending in blood."

Carl sneered, tucking Amanda in closer. "What do you know about what I want? Amanda's mine, she always was. You've interfered in things you don't have the slightest idea about.

"You think I don't understand?" I said, soft, my tone reassuring-easy on his ego. "You think I don't know what it's like when the world's at your throat? When everybody's out to get you?"

Carl's gaze flickered sideways, a slight nick in his armor. "You don't know anything about me."

"I know you've fought your whole life to stay in control," I said, taking another step closer. He didn't tug Amanda closer this time. "You've built everything you have with your own two hands, right? You outsmart everyone. That takes strength."

"You're damn right it does," Carl snarled, his chest puffed out a little. His grip on the knife loosened just a little, and I took another step.

“But strength doesn't mean hurting the people closest to you," I pressed, low and measured. "You have flexed your muscles in full view, Carl; you really don't need to prove any more.”

Carl gave a flicker of hesitation; his eyes darted between Amanda and me.

"Let her go, Carl," I said, my heart thudding in my ears. "You can walk out of this with dignity intact. Nobody needs to get hurt.”

For a second, I actually thought I'd gotten through to him. His hand had shaken, the knife dipping. Amanda's breath had hitched, and I could feel her hope spill toward me.

But then Carl's face had hardened. "You think I'm just going to let you win?" he spat. "You think I'm going to hand her over to you like some kind of trophy?"

"Carl, this isn't about me-”

“Shut up!" he bellowed, his voice cracking. Now, he was desperate; his movements became jerky and unpredictable. "You've ruined everything, Kellan. Everything!”

In one swift motion, he flung himself at Amanda. His knife whistled through the air.

"No, Carl!" I exclaimed instinctively.

I ran into him, sending the knife flying from his hand. It clattered against the floor, rattling all over the room. Amanda went backward, clutching her neck. She was breathing hard.

The next moment Carl was up and swinging. The first I dodged by less than an inch; the second came solidly into my ribs and knocked the breath from my lungs.

"You think you can take me?" Carl snarled low in his throat, an animal sound. "You are nothing but a pest!"

I was pushing through-searing pain along my side, gritting my teeth. "Better a pest than a coward."

Carl's face screwed up in anger, then he launched himself at me again. This time I was ready-so I ducked under his swing and drove my shoulder into his chest, slamming him against the wall.

"You're done, Carl," I growled, teeth gritted, as I pinned him against the wall. "It's over."

"Not yet," he spat, his knee burying itself into my stomach. I doubled over, gasping for air.

Carl leaped towards me, but Amanda was quick. She picked up the knife that fell to the floor and inserted herself between us, her hands trembling but her eyes steady.

"Back off," she said, much firmer than I had ever heard her.

Carl stopped in his tracks, flashing. "You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, try me," Amanda shot back, clutching the knife tighter.

Heavy footsteps pounded down the hallway, and Carl's head jerked toward the door. In burst the head of Security, flanked by armed officers.

"Drop the knife!" one officer yelled, gun aimed and directed at Carl.

Carl was racing his eyes around the room, where his mind was furiously seeking an escape. None existed.

"Carl Martins," the head of Security intoned coldly and commandingly. "It's over. Now surrender."

Carl laughed, the sound hard and his hands rose slow, in mock surrender. "Over? You think this is over?"

The officers moved for him now, flattening Carl to the floor and cuffing his hands behind his back. He didn't struggle.

Amanda fell back against the couch, the knife slipping from her fingers. I was beside her in an instant, my hands clamping gentle on her shoulders.

“Are you all right?" I asked-my voice thick.

She nodded. The glassy gaze of someone that hasn't cried yet stared out; the whispered words low, "I'm fine."

The head of Security was there beside me, it seemed like in a breath; the expression grimace, as it needed to get.
"We'll take over from here, Kellan," he said smoothly. "You did fantastic."

That smirk slid back in, the chill deeper into my bones as the officers hauled Carl onto his feet.

“You think you've won,” Carl spat, the venom dripping from every word. But that isn't the end of it, not by a long shot.

In an instant, I stood my ground, fists clenched at my sides. “There's nothing left, Carl, for which you can fight.”

Carl let an arrogant, overconfident grin seep into his features. You haven't any idea what you are to face, and now you have sealed your greatest mistake.”

He said no more. The police dragged him from the room before I could press him, but his words stuck, a dark cloud settling over my victory.