Chapter 12 - The Iron Price
The gunshot was deafening inside the enclosed stone sanctuary.
Julian reacted instantly, throwing his entire body across Emma, using his broad shoulders and armored frame as a human shield. The heavy caliber bullet slammed into his back with a wet, sickening thud, driving the air from his lungs in a sharp gasp.
""Julian!"" Emma screamed.
Julian grunted, his knees hitting the stone floor, but he didn't collapse. In the same motion, his arm whipped around, raising the submachine gun with lethal, single-handed precision. He fired three rounds into Victoria’s chest. The woman collapsed backward into the burning choir stalls, motionless.
Julian slumped forward, his forehead pressing against Emma’s shoulder.
""Julian! Stay with me!"" Emma scrambled to support his weight, her hands desperately reaching around his back. Her fingers came away warm, slick, and completely covered in thick, dark blood. The bullet had struck him high beneath the right shoulder blade, inches from his spine.
Heavy boots pounded against the granite steps of the cathedral. Julian’s second-in-command, Marco, burst through the burning bronze doors flanked by six heavily armed men clad in gray tactical gear.
""Boss!"" Marco shouted, sprinting down the center aisle, kicking aside burning debris.
""Get... get Helena,"" Julian coughed, a thin line of pink froth appearing at the corner of his lips—the bullet had nicked the upper lobe of his lung. ""Take the council. Secure the girl.""
""I don't need securing!"" Emma shouted at Marco, tears finally spilling over her cheeks, cutting pale tracks through the soot on her face. ""Call a medic! Call them right now!""
Marco looked at Emma, seeing the blood on her hands and the fierce, unyielding command in her hazel eyes. Without hesitation, the hardened lieutenant pressed his radio. ""Team Bravo, bring the surgical transport to the north gate. Now!""
Julian’s vision was blurring, but his hand came up, weak and trembling, to cup Emma’s jaw. His thumb brushed over her cheek, smearing soot and blood across her pale skin.
""The ledger..."" he whispered, his breathing wheezing and shallow. ""Under my desk... in the safe... code is... your birthday.""
""Shut up, Julian,"" Emma choked out, pressing both hands against the wound in his back to stem the torrential bleeding. ""Stop talking like you're dying. You don't get to leave me alone in this nightmare.""
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Julian managed a faint, bloody smirk. ""You were never... alone, Emma. I've been watching you... since the day Salvatore... brought you to the kitchen.""
His eyes rolled back, and his heavy frame went limp in her arms.
