Chapter 2 - The Crossfire
Arthur slid slowly down the polished brass side of the espresso machine.
His eyes were wide with shock, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Mave felt a cold knot twist deep in her stomach.
She could not stop to check his pulse.
The back room of the Copper Anchor had become a literal warzone.
Gallagher's men kicked over the remaining dining tables, using the thick oak tops as makeshift barricades.
They returned fire with terrifying, mechanical precision.
Ponytail and his crew were pinned down near the entrance of the alcove.
"Move!" Mave screamed at Toby over the deafening noise.
She grabbed the collar of his jacket again and dragged him on his hands and knees toward the heavy oak bar.
They scrambled over shattered plates, ruined steaks, and broken glass.
Toby was hyperventilating, his chest heaving as tears streamed down his pale face.
He was clutching something tightly against his chest.
It was a small, black leather notebook.
Mave realized it must have fallen from Ponytail's jacket when the busboy crashed into him earlier.
They finally rolled behind the safety of the reinforced bar counter.
Bullets chewed into the wood above their heads, raining splinters down on them.
Mave checked her own body for holes, finding only minor cuts from the flying glass.
She looked at Toby, who was rocking back and forth in pure terror.
Suddenly, the gunfire on their side of the room stopped.
Heavy footsteps crunched on the broken glass, moving rapidly closer to their hiding spot.
Mave held her breath and looked up.
One of Ponytail's men vaulted over the edge of the bar, landing right next to them.
May you like
He had a manic look in his eyes and blood dripping down his chin.
He pointed a snub-nosed revolver directly at the center of Mave's forehead.
