Chapter 13 - The Last Stand at the Docks
The rain had turned into a torrential downpour by the time the armored convoy rolled back toward the industrial waterfront.
Through the tinted windows, the dark silhouette of dock seventeen loomed like a rotting skeleton against the black sky.
Suddenly, a blinding burst of white light illuminated the rain-slicked pavement ahead.
Three black SUVs blocked the narrow access road, their high beams flashing aggressively into the convoy's path.
"Ambush," Marcus barked from the driver's seat, his hand instantly dropping to the tactical rifle resting across his lap.
"Vane's loyalists are making a desperate play to intercept our transfer."
Before the words had even finished leaving his mouth, automatic gunfire hammered against the armored plating of the lead vehicle.
Sparks flew in brilliant showers across the windshield as heavy caliber rounds chewed through the hood.
"Stay down, Evelyn!" Lorenzo ordered sharply, unholstering his customized firearm.
The door of the Maybach clicked open, and Lorenzo stepped out directly into the crossfire, moving with cold, terrifying precision.
Marcus and the tactical squad deployed instantly from the secondary vehicle, returning suppressive fire with military discipline.
Evelyn sat in the backseat for a fraction of a second, watching the orange flashes of muzzle fire strobe against the rain.
Something inside her snapped from fear into pure, freezing adrenaline.
She popped open her tactical case, pulled out her Glock nineteen, and checked the magazine with steady, practiced fingers.
"Evelyn, stay in the car!" Lorenzo shouted over the roar of gunfire as he ducked behind the engine block.
Instead of listening, Evelyn pushed the rear door open, rolling low across the wet gravel until she reached the cover of a rusted cargo container.
Across the yard, two rogue mercenaries were attempting to flank Lorenzo’s position from behind an overturned forklift.
Evelyn raised her weapon, steadying her breathing against the freezing wind.
She squeezed the trigger twice.
The first round struck the lead gunman’s shoulder, spinning him off balance.
The second round hit the pavement inches from his boots, terrifying him into dropping his rifle and throwing his hands over his head.
Marcus rushed forward, kicking the man's weapon away and slamming him face-first into the mud.
Within three minutes, the firefight was over, leaving the dock silent except for the heavy drumming of the rain and the groaning of the wind.
Lorenzo walked over through the puddles, his dark eyes wide with a mixture of fury and profound respect as he looked down at Evelyn.
"I told you to stay in the car, little bird," he said, his voice dropping into a low, gravelly rumble.
Evelyn stood up straight, wiping a streak of black soot from her cheek, her dark eyes flashing with unyielding fire.
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"I am done sitting in cars while men decide whether I live or die, Lorenzo," she answered coldly.
Lorenzo stared at her for a long, silent moment, before a slow, dangerous smile finally broke across his lips.
