No Exit by Taylor Adams 2

under the same buzzing lights, with Ashley himself. Two
hours ago, they’d bickered over who would be Person A (the
attacker) and who would be Person B (the backup). From now
on tonight, she decided with a held breath, I’m Person A.
No more excuses.
“Dara?”
“I’ll squish flat against the wall,” she continued, pointing
at the furthest stall. “Right in that corner there, and they won’t
see me when they climb inside, and—”
Ed grinned. “We can pepper spray him.”
“And take his gun.”
And kill them both.
The brothers were armed and physically stronger, so
allowing one or both of them inside would be fatal. But this
window was a natural bottleneck, and it would be their only
realistic route inside, unless they managed to break the
deadbolt or get through the barricaded window. And, Darby
knew, if Ashley entered first with the gun, she’d stand a halfdecent
chance of overpowering him with pepper spray or
scalding water. If she managed to steal their .45, it’d be a game
changer.
Ed opened the stall door. “I’ll guard the window.”
“No. I’m doing this.”
“Dara, it should be me—”
“I said I’m doing it,” she snapped. “I’m the only one small
enough to hide here. And I’m the one who started this.”
And I’ll never be Person B again.
For as long as I live.
She’d expected more of an argument, but Ed only stared.
She’d also almost corrected him about her name, once and for
all. But she didn’t, because hell, tonight, Dara was close