Chapter 13 - Zero Sum
The gunman froze ten feet away, water cascading off the brim of his cap. The barrel of his rifle hovered between Elena and the sedan.
""Do it, Marcus!"" Vanessa choked out, her voice wet and strangled. ""Kill them all! Take the drive!""
""Shut up!"" Elena pressed harder, drawing a thin line of red across Vanessa's throat.
Cole stepped out from behind the truck, his gun trained steadily on the shooter's chest. Even battered, bruised, and soaked in rain and blood, his stance was completely solid. ""Put it down, Marcus. The police are already two blocks away. You hear those sirens?""
Faint wails of police sirens cut through the roar of the rain, echoing off the high brick buildings from the avenue. Marcus hesitated, his eyes flicking between Cole, Vanessa, and the approaching blue flashes reflecting against the clouds.
With a muttered curse, Marcus lowered the rifle and dropped it onto the wet asphalt. He raised his hands slowly.
""Leo, come here,"" Elena said softly, keeping her eyes locked on the enemies.
The young boy tore the tape from his mouth with trembling fingers and sprinted into Cole’s arms. Cole pulled the child tight against his chest, shielding him with his jacket. ""You're safe, buddy. You're okay.""
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Elena shoved Vanessa forward onto the hood of the wrecked sedan. ""It’s over, Vanessa.""
Vanessa slumped against the metal, but as she raised her head, a venomous smirk spread across her wet lips. ""You think you won, Elena? That drive has a kill-switch protocol. In three minutes, the server uploads your father's files to every law firm and news outlet in the state.""
