Chapter 7 - The Standoff
A relentless storm of bullets shredded the ancient oak tree, sending sharp splinters of wood flying into Marin's face.
She dove hard into the muddy trench beside the driveway, pressing her body completely flat against the cold earth.
She could hear Elias screaming orders, directing his heavily armed strike team to flank her position in the dark.
Marin knew she could effortlessly kill half of these men before they even saw her.
But killing Elias's loyal guards would only solidify Julian's terrible lie and ensure they hunted her forever.
She had to do something completely reckless to break the deadly illusion.
Marin holstered her stolen pistol, stood up from the muddy trench, and walked directly into the blinding spotlight of the helicopter.
She raised both of her empty hands high into the air, offering herself completely to the angry mob of killers.
Dozens of red tactical laser sights instantly painted her chest, head, and throat.
Elias stormed forward with his weapon raised, his eyes completely dark with a murderous, unforgiving fury.
He pressed the hot barrel of his rifle directly against her forehead and demanded to know where his mother was.
Marin did not flinch, blink, or break eye contact with the terrifying mafia boss.
"Your mother is perfectly safe in the woods, Elias," Marin said calmly.
Before Elias could pull the trigger, Julian frantically yelled from the background to shoot her immediately.
Julian realized that if Adelaide survived to tell the truth, his entire coup would be instantly destroyed.
Julian drew his own concealed pistol and aimed it directly at Marin's back, intending to silence her himself.
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Suddenly, the slow, agonizingly loud sound of an armored SUV engine rumbled from the dark tree line.
Adelaide Ferrante was weakly sitting behind the shattered steering wheel of the heavy vehicle, driving it directly into the spotlight.
