Chapter 17 - Siege on the Hill
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A towering tactical operative stepped through the ruined door, his rifle raised, sweeping the dark room.
Before he could spot Norah under the desk, Ruth lunged out from behind the door frame with every ounce of strength she possessed.
She slammed her full body weight into his side, driving the long needle of the syringe straight into the soft flesh of his exposed neck, depressing the plunger completely.
The operative let out a muffled scream, dropping his rifle as the chemical hit his nervous system. He staggered backward, clutching his throat, before collapsing heavily onto the carpet, motionless.
Ruth fell back against the wall, gasping for air, her hands covered in sweat.
Before she could grab the fallen rifle, a second figure stepped through the doorway.
It was Briggs.
He was covered in bruises, his eyes bloodshot and crazed. He held a heavy revolver in his hand, pointed straight at Ruth’s chest.
“You ruined everything, you stupid maid,” Briggs snarled, his voice trembling with manic rage. “Celeste was supposed to give me my cut! Now the whole city wants me dead!”
He looked past her toward the desk, spotting Norah’s trembling form.
“I’m taking the girl,” Briggs spat, cocking the hammer of his gun. “She’s my bargaining chip with the syndicate.”
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“Over my dead body,” Ruth said, standing tall in front of the desk, shielding Norah completely with her own body.
“That can be arranged,” Briggs growled, raising the barrel directly toward Ruth’s head.
