Chapter 8 - The Desperate Hostage
Panic instantly erupted among the heavily armed mercenaries as the federal sirens grew deafeningly loud.
"Hold the front gate and shoot anyone who tries to breach the perimeter!" Marcus screamed at his panicked men.
In the chaotic confusion, the guard holding the two boys momentarily loosened his grip.
Julian, despite his severe shoulder wound, viciously bit the mercenary's wrist with all his remaining strength.
The guard howled in intense pain and dropped his weapon to the grass.
"Run, Leo!" Julian screamed at the top of his lungs.
Leo did not hesitate for a single second.
He sprinted toward the thick bushes, dragging his injured brother fiercely by the good arm.
Marcus pulled out his gun and aimed directly at the fleeing children's backs.
Victoria threw her entire body weight forward, slamming hard into Marcus's chest.
The gun fired wildly into the dark sky, completely missing the terrified boys.
Marcus backhanded Victoria across the face with brutal force, sending her crashing onto the wet grass.
"Forget the tactical perimeter, just grab the billionaire and get her to the roof!" Marcus ordered his remaining loyal guard.
He dragged a semi-conscious Victoria toward the mansion's exterior fire escape stairs.
He knew a private Syndicate helicopter was already on its way to extract him from the ruined operation.
Victoria struggled weakly as they hauled her up five flights of cold, rusted metal stairs.
She could hear the federal agents finally breaking through the heavy iron gates of the estate down below.
Gunfire echoed through the night air as the remaining mercenaries were quickly neutralized.
Marcus reached the flat, gravel-covered roof of the mansion and threw Victoria down near the edge.
The deafening roar of helicopter blades began chopping through the stormy clouds directly above them.
"You are coming with me, and we will extract that retinal scan manually if we have to," Marcus yelled over the wind.
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He grabbed a large hunting knife from his belt and stepped menacingly toward her face.
Suddenly, a heavy metal pipe swung out of the darkness and smashed directly into Marcus's knee.
