Drake failed to wrest the gun away. Kale, poised to assist, froze as a deafening sound ripped through the air.


    Debra let out a pained grunt. Blood streamed down her shoulder, her face paling instantly. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead from the searing agony.


    Drake stiffened mid-motion, while Marion''s expression darkened like a gathering storm. He raised his pistol, aiming squarely at the back of Fermin''s head.


    Fermin was unfazed. "Choose wisely. Next time, it won''t be her shoulder."


    The threat sent an uncharacteristic tremor through Marion''s hand.


    Everyone had witnessed Fermin''s lethal precision. By the time Marion steadied himself, Fermin had already dragged Debra away.


    Randy shook Marion''s arm. "Do something."


    Debra''s earlier words echoed in Marion''s mind. "Marion, stay calm. They still need me alive."


    Her resolute gaze burned behind his eyes. He forced himself to calm down and started to think about the whole event.


    "What the hell is wrong with Fermin?" he demanded, ring at Liza.


    She shook her head. "I don''t know."


    "Don''t


    closer,


    voice icy. "He has been


    tal or now?" Marion stepped Tus this whole time.


    brother. How could you not


    We


    Under the group''s collective scrutiny, Liza crumpled. "I really don''t know."


    Erica intervened, pulling her aside. "Enough. We need to regroup. Debra said they wouldn''t harm her yet. Let''s get out of here and contact


    Andrew for backup."


    "Right." Randy yanked out his phone. "I''ll call Barton."


    "Save it." Drake interrupted. "They''re all up there. With Debra as a hostage, no one''s moving a muscle."


    Aboveground, Fermin shoved Debra forward. Her body was covered in blood.


    Juan snapped, "What the hell are you doing?"


    "What''s wrong? Feeling sorry for your ex-wife?" Fermin smirked, shoving her into Juan''s arms.


    Vickie chimed in, "Boss, she''s useless now. Why not just kill her and deal the Four Families a heavy blow?"


    Juan flicked a nce at Joe. A brutal backhand then sent Vickie staggering, her cheek ming red.


    "Debra is still useful," Juan insisted. "Call an ambnce and stop her bleeding."


    Jordan arrived with his men. His eyes hardened at the sight of


    Debra''s limp, bloodied form cr


    against Juan''s chest. Contra