Chapter 8 - The Desperate Escape
I slowly lowered the heavy cast-iron pan and dropped it onto the kitchen tiles.
Ryan smiled a cruel, victorious smile and stepped closer, keeping the gun aimed directly between my eyes.
The two goons in the living room realized Elena was not going to shoot, so they tackled her to the floor.
They ripped the shotgun from her hands and violently pinned her against the broken drywall.
"You really thought you could outsmart me in my own house?" Ryan laughed maliciously.
"I built this entire life from scratch, and I will gladly burn it down to get my money."
He grabbed me by the hair and forcefully dragged me toward the dining room table.
He pulled a fresh stack of legal documents from his jacket and slammed them down in front of me.
"Sign over the remaining property assets, Chloe, and I might make your death quick," he demanded.
I looked at the pen he offered me, my hands shaking with sheer, absolute terror.
If I signed those papers, he would have everything he needed to disappear forever.
"Do not sign anything, Chloe!" Elena screamed from the other room, struggling against the heavy men.
Ryan backhanded me fiercely across the cheek, causing my lip to split and bleed immediately.
"Sign it!" he roared, pressing the cold steel of the gun barrel directly against my temple.
I picked up the pen, pretending to surrender to his violent demands.
But I was not looking at the paper; I was looking at the glass of water sitting near the edge of the table.
With a sudden, desperate burst of energy, I threw the glass of water directly into his face.
Ryan flinched and wiped his eyes, giving me the crucial fraction of a second I needed.
I drove my knee upward, striking him forcefully in the groin.
He gasped in agony and doubled over, dropping the pistol onto the expensive rug.
I dove for the weapon, but one of his goons rushed into the dining room and kicked me hard in the ribs.
I collapsed on the floor, gasping for air as the pain radiated through my entire body.
Ryan recovered his breath, picked up the gun, and aimed it down at my chest with pure murder in his eyes.
May you like
"Goodbye, Chloe," Ryan whispered coldly.
Before he could pull the trigger, the wailing sound of massive police sirens surrounded the entire house.
