The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 509

The sound shattered Garrison's heart.

"Don't... don't hurt her!"

Garrison's gun stayed trained on Grant, but his pupils contracted violently at the sight of the hand wrapped around Sloane's throat.

A fraction more pressure, and her windpipe would be crushed.

"Drop the gun," Grant scoffed. "Your woman is in my hands now."

Garrison's finger tightened on the trigger, but he didn't move.

Grant squeezed harder.

A choked whimper escaped Sloane's lips as her face flushed an unnatural, oxygen-starved red. Yet her eyes remained locked on Garrison, and she used every ounce of her remaining strength to desperately shake her head.

"Drop it!" Grant's voice spiked, the smile vanishing to reveal an icy, hysterical edge. "Or I'll choke her to death right now. Do you want to bet whether your bullet is faster than my hand?"

Under his crushing grip, Sloane gasped desperately, forcing out broken syllables. "Garrison... shoot... shoot him!"

But Garrison's finger slipped off the trigger.

"I'm dropping it! Just don't hurt her..."

He slowly bent down, placing the gun on the floor. His movements were incredibly slow, as if afraid to startle a wild animal. The metal clicked softly against the deck before he straightened up, spreading his hands to show he was unarmed.

Grant stared at the weapon on the floor for a second, then threw his head back and laughed.

The sound echoed sharply in the small metal cabin, piercing and shrill, like shattered glass scraping against the walls.

Garrison's voice was hoarse and broken, but every word was clear. "If I die... will you... let her go?"

Grant paused, then let out another bark of manic laughter.

"Haha—of course," he tilted his head, his tone light. "It's not a bad trade. Your life for hers. Very fair."

"No!" Sloane screamed from the bed, her voice trembling and raw. "No... Garrison... don't agree to it! Don't do it!"

Garrison didn't look at her.

His gaze remained locked on Grant, his eyes as still and calm as a deep, untroubled lake. He stayed silent for two seconds before forcing out a single word.

"Deal."