Hearing the terms offered from outside, the black man couldn't help but be tempted.
Hesitation flickered in his eyes, and he subconsciously eased the butterfly knife away from Erica's neck.
"Why should I believe you?" he demanded, his voice still wary but no longer laced with the despair of moments before.
"How does this sound," Feng Mountain replied patiently. "I'll leave the car and the money right at the cabin door. Once you've confirmed it's all there, you can take her to the car. You can let her go after you're away from the ski resort. I swear to God, I won't give you any trouble."
"Real—" The man had just raised his head, a single word barely leaving his lips.
In that instant, a sharp BANG erupted from behind him, as loud as thunder exploding within the room.
A sharp pain immediately seared his back as a powerful force slammed into him, sending him stumbling forward uncontrollably.
In an instant, his vision went black.
