Chapter 8 - The Hostage
The violent impact shattered the passenger window, showering Elena in broken glass.
The airbags deployed with a deafening crack, pinning her against the seat.
Elena gasped for air, her vision swimming with dark spots.
Through the ringing in her ears, she heard the terrifying sound of assault rifles being cocked.
"Drag them out of the car!" a harsh voice yelled in the darkness.
Rough hands grabbed Elena by the shoulders and hauled her out of the wrecked sedan.
She was thrown hard onto the wet, cold asphalt of the warehouse parking lot.
David was dragged out next, bleeding heavily from a deep gash on his forehead.
Greg walked slowly into the bright beam of the spotlight, wearing a smug, victorious smile.
"I told you David would come out of hiding if we threatened the child," Greg laughed.
Vanessa stepped out from behind Greg, holding a small, terrified Mia by the arm.
"Mommy!" Mia screamed, struggling against Vanessa's tight grip.
"Let her go, you psychos!" Elena shrieked, fighting against the mercenaries holding her down.
Greg crouched down in front of David and grabbed him by the hair.
"You caused me a lot of trouble, David," Greg spat.
"The cartel boss is very eager to meet the man who tried to steal his money."
Greg reached into Elena's coat pocket and pulled out the brass vault key.
"Thank you for the delivery, Elena," Greg mocked.
"Now, it is time to clean up loose ends."
Greg raised a suppressed pistol and aimed it directly at David's chest.
Elena screamed, kicking wildly at the mercenary holding her legs.
"Wait!" David yelled, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
"The vault key is useless without the biometric passcode."
Greg paused, his finger hovering over the trigger.
"Margaret upgraded the bank security protocol last week," David lied smoothly.
"You need Elena's fingerprint to open the box."
Greg lowered the gun, glaring suspiciously at David.
He turned to his mercenaries.
"Throw David in the back of the truck," Greg ordered.
"Bring Elena with me to the bank, and lock the brat in the warehouse office."
Vanessa shoved crying Mia toward one of the armed guards.
Elena felt a glimmer of hope.
David had just bought them a few precious hours to survive.
As Greg dragged Elena toward his luxury SUV, her eyes caught something horrifying in the shadows.
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The mercenary guarding Mia was not working for Greg.
He had a distinct spider tattoo on his neck, the exact mark of the cartel's elite assassination squad.
