Chapter 1 - The Glass Syringe
Julian Cross didn't panic. Panic was for civilians. His fingers, calloused from years of wet-work, found the faint, fluttering pulse at Victoria’s throat. It was fading fast. The neurotoxin was paralyzing her respiratory system.
He looked at the shattered glass vials on the black granite. Genevieve had crushed them beneath her designer heel, ensuring the antidote was destroyed.
"You're too late, Julian," Genevieve said, adjusting the diamond clasp on her emerald gown. "The Senator's security detail is already on their way. When they arrive, they’ll find the disgraced fixer who tried to assassinate the Vanguard matriarch. I’ll make a beautiful, tearful statement to the press."
Julian ignored her. His eyes locked onto a single, unbroken shard of glass near the baseboard. Inside the curved fragment was a single, viscous drop of the clear antidote.
He didn't hesitate. Julian reached into his tailored suit, pulling out a tactical field pen. He unscrewed the cap, revealing a hollow titanium needle. He scooped the single drop of the antidote into the chamber and drove the needle directly into Victoria’s chest.
Victoria gasped, her spine arching violently as her lungs drew in a massive, ragged breath.
Genevieve’s smug smile vanished. She lunged toward the wall, slamming her hand against the panic button. Red strobe lights instantly bathed the mausoleum-like foyer in a hellish glare. The sound of heavy combat boots echoed down the corridor.
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"She's alive," Julian said, his voice a low, terrifying rumble as he stood up. "But you're a dead woman walking, Genevieve."
Before the armed guards could breach the heavy oak doors, Julian shattered the massive floor-to-ceiling stained-glass window with his heavy boot and disappeared into the rainy, pitch-black night.
