Chapter 12 - Reckoning in the Dark
Cole’s hand moved toward his shoulder holster with astonishing speed, but Gabriel stepped out from behind Elena, firing two suppressed shots that shattered Cole’s wrist and sent the weapon spinning across the hardwood floor. Cole collapsed against the marble fireplace, howling in pain, clutching his bleeding arm.
Julian spun around, his eyes wide with absolute disbelief. ""Elena? How did you—""
Before Julian could reach for the aluminum case on the desk, Elena surged forward, her pistol raised, aimed squarely between his eyes. The raw, primal power in her gaze froze Julian in his tracks. For the first time in his life, Julian Vance looked upon his wife and saw a predator.
""Back away from the desk, Julian,"" Elena commanded, her voice terrifyingly calm. ""Hands where I can see them.""
Julian slowly raised his hands, his chest heaving, his arrogance crumbling into desperate calculation. ""Elena... think about what you're doing. If you shoot me, you'll spend the rest of your life in prison. Maya will grow up an orphan in state custody.""
""You don't get to say her name,"" Elena hissed, taking another step forward. ""You beat our daughter with a belt because your mistress destroyed a piece of silk. You murdered my father. You stole his company. You tried to erase my existence.""
Behind them, the side door to the walk-in closet creaked open. Victoria Vance stepped out, clutching a small nickel-plated revolver with two shaking hands. Her glamorous facade was entirely gone; mascara ran down her cheeks, and her champagne robe was stained with soot and grime.
""Drop the gun, Elena!"" Victoria screamed hysterical threats, her finger trembling violently on the trigger. ""Julian, tell her to drop it! I won't let her take everything! We earned this!""
""You earned nothing, you pathetic parasite,"" Elena snapped, not even turning her head, keeping her sights locked dead center on Julian’s forehead.
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Gabriel moved to flank Victoria, but Victoria panicked. A shot rang out, tearing through the crystal chandelier above. Shards of glass rained down like an explosion of diamonds.
Julian seized the chaos to lunge forward, tackling Elena to the ground. Her gun clattered across the floorboards as Julian’s hands wrapped brutally around her throat, pinning her against the shattered glass.
