The atmosphere grew heavy as Drake emerged with his men.
"Give up," he said. "Your men have been held off."
The masked manughed coldly, "What a trap! The new generation is impressive. But do you think I have no n B?"
Debra''s instincts red at his words, but before she could react, the icy press of a gun barrel jammed against the back of her skull froze her in ce.
"What are you doing?" Erica shouted furiously.
Fermin showed no trace of his earlier panic. His expression had shifted to one of detached amusement.
"Brother?" Liza stared in disbelief.
Marion instinctively stepped forward, only to freeze when he saw the weapon trained on Debra. His hand tightened around the pistol at his waist, ready to strike at the first opening.
Fermin smirked, "Don''t move, Marion. I know you''re fast, but are you willing to gamble Debra''s life on it?"
Randy pointed an using finger. "Why betray us?"
"How na?ve!" Fermin''s voice dripped with disdain. "We''re all businesspeople here driven by interests. But why waste breath exining to fools? Mrs. Houston, cooperate, or this barrel might slip."
The masked man spoke up. "Enough talk. Take her and go."
Fermin pressed the gun harder against Debra''s neck and moved toward the exit.
"Wait." them.
ron''s icymand halted
leveled his pistol at
"Release her, or your sister dies."
t belongs to sweene
Tears welled in Liza''s eyes. "Brother..."
Fermin barely nced at her. "Shoot her if you like."
"Brother..." Liza fell into despair.
Fermin added, "But if she dies, Debra dies with her."
"Marion, don''t." Debra''s urgent plea froze him. "They still need me alive."
Erica whispered hoarsely, "Debra..."
Fermin snorted at the drama. "Move."
As he brushed past Drake, thetter
Serged for the gun. Marion
forward to assist, but Juan
I his path.
Ferminughed darkly, the weapon dancing in his grip like an
of his hand.
hand. Content beet