Chapter 12 - The Iron Stand
The crack of rifle fire shattered the night, tearing lines through the truck's steel door. Cole shoved Elena down beneath the dashboard, shielding her with his torso as sparks rained across the interior.
""Stay down!"" Cole yelled, his voice strained with agonizing effort.
Elena gripped the pistol tightly. She peered through the cracked side window, calculating the distance. The shooter was advancing methodically through the pouring rain, firing short, controlled bursts to keep them pinned while Vanessa struggled out of the passenger side, reaching for the back door where Leo was held.
""Cover me,"" Elena ordered.
""Elena, no—""
""Cole, shoot the headlights!"" she yelled, thrusting the handgun into his bloody hands.
Cole understood instantly. He leaned out through the shattered window, firing three rapid shots into the sedan’s exposed high beams. Darkness swallowed the street as the blinding lights exploded into glass and smoke.
Taking advantage of the sudden pitch-black rain, Elena rolled out of the driver's side onto the soaked pavement. She moved like a shadow around the crumpled hood of the truck, catching Vanessa just as she pulled Leo out onto the sidewalk.
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Elena lunged, wrapping her arm around Vanessa’s throat and slamming her against the brick wall of the brownstone. Vanessa dropped the knife she was holding, gasping for air against Elena’s iron grip.
""Drop the rifle!"" Elena screamed into the darkness, pressing the blade of her pocketknife against Vanessa’s neck. ""Drop it or she bleeds out right here!""
