Chapter 55 - The Duel
Elias’s relaxed demeanor shattered. He recognized the absolute, unwavering certainty in Julian’s voice. Elias suddenly lunged sideways, diving behind the heavy desk and pulling a concealed weapon from his ankle holster.
Julian fired twice, the bullets shattering the expensive crystal decanter on the desk, showering Elias in scotch and glass.
Elias returned fire, the loud cracks of his unsuppressed weapon deafening in the enclosed office. Julian rolled behind a heavy leather sofa, avoiding the hail of bullets that tore the upholstery to shreds.
"You always were too sentimental!" Elias shouted over the gunfire. "That was your weakness, Julian! Family makes you soft!"
"Family makes me focused," Julian retorted.
Julian threw a heavy brass bookend over the sofa. Elias instinctually fired at the movement. In that split second of distraction, Julian vaulted over the sofa, closing the distance between them with terrifying speed.
He kicked the gun out of Elias’s hand, the weapon clattering across the floor. Elias, a trained operative himself, countered with a brutal elbow strike to Julian’s jaw. Julian absorbed the blow, pivoting on his heel, and delivered a devastating knee strike to Elias’s ribs.
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The sound of bone cracking echoed in the room. Elias stumbled backward, gasping in pain, but Julian didn't let up. He grabbed Elias by the collar of his expensive suit, slamming him violently against the floor-to-ceiling glass window. The reinforced glass spider-webbed under the impact.
Julian pressed his forearm against Elias’s throat, pinning him in place.
