Chapter 2 - The Hotel Standoff

Nico didn't say a word during the drive back.

He drove with a terrifying, absolute focus. He had called his head of security, instructing them not to enter the house. He wanted Brielle to think she was in control.

When we pulled up to the gates, he left the engine running.

He turned to me. "Hannah. Stay in the car."

"No," I said, unbuckling my seatbelt.

"She has a syringe, Hannah! She killed my wife!"

"And she is threatening a child I love!" I snapped back, my fear entirely eclipsed by a fierce, maternal rage I didn't know I possessed. "Ruby trusts me. If she's terrified in that bathroom, she needs my voice to calm her down. I am going in."

Nico stared at me for a long second. He didn't argue. He reached into the center console of the SUV and pulled out a heavy, black handgun. He chambered a round with a sharp click and tucked it into the back waistband of his trousers.

We entered through the front door.

The house was eerily silent.

Mrs. Turner was slumped against the kitchen island, a bleeding gash on her forehead. I rushed to her, checking her pulse. It was strong. She had just been knocked unconscious.

Nico motioned for me to follow him upstairs.

We walked down the long, carpeted hallway toward the master suite.

The door was open.

Inside, Brielle was standing near the massive digital wall safe, shoving stacks of cash and jewelry into a black duffel bag. She turned when we entered.

She held a small, clear syringe in her right hand.

"You brought the papers?" she asked, her eyes darting between Nico and me.

"I have them," Nico said, holding up the manila envelope. "Where is Ruby?"

"In the bathroom," Brielle nodded toward the heavy frosted glass door. "Drop the envelope on the bed. Then step back."

"Let me see her first," Nico demanded.

"I don't think you're in a position to negotiate, darling," Brielle sneered, raising the syringe.

Before she could finish her sentence, a loud crash echoed from the hallway.

Marcus stumbled into the bedroom.

He was bleeding from the nose, his suit torn. He had clearly tried to sneak past Nico's security guards outside and failed.

"Brielle!" Marcus gasped, seeing the money in the bag. "You were going to leave me? You said we were splitting the cash!"

Brielle rolled her eyes. "You're useless, Marcus. You couldn't even get the court order right."

The sudden distraction was all I needed.

While Brielle was looking at Marcus, I didn't hesitate. I didn't care about my bad arm. I lunged forward.

I hit Brielle with my left shoulder, driving my weight directly into her chest.

She shrieked, stumbling backward against the edge of the bed. The syringe flew out of her hand and clattered across the hardwood floor.

"Hannah!" Nico shouted, pulling his gun.

Brielle scrambled up, her face twisted in absolute fury. She didn't go for the gun. She lunged at me. She grabbed my bad right arm, her fingers digging violently into the swollen bruise.

I screamed in agony, my vision flashing white.

She shoved me hard against the wall, reaching down to grab a heavy brass lamp from the nightstand.

"You stupid little maid!" she screamed, raising the lamp above her head to strike me.

BANG.

The gunshot was deafening in the enclosed room.

Brielle froze.

She dropped the lamp. It shattered on the floor.

She looked down at her leg. Blood was rapidly blooming through the fabric of her expensive slacks.

She screamed, collapsing onto the floor, clutching her knee.

Nico stood in the center of the room, the smoking gun pointed directly at Brielle’s head. His face was a mask of pure, lethal rage.

Marcus put his hands in the air, terrified, backing into the corner. "I didn't kill anyone! She did it! It was all her!"

"Hannah," Nico said, his eyes never leaving Brielle. "Get Ruby."

I didn't need to be told twice. I ran to the bathroom door, unlocking it with trembling hands.

I threw the door open.

Ruby was huddled in the corner of the large shower stall, crying softly, clutching a small towel.

"Ruby!" I dropped to my knees, wrapping my good arm around her.

She threw herself into my chest, sobbing uncontrollably. "Hannah! I was so scared! She said Daddy wasn't coming back!"

"He's right outside, sweetheart," I whispered, kissing the top of her head. "You're safe. I promise."

I picked her up and carried her out into the bedroom.

Nico saw us. His hard expression instantly broke. He lowered the gun, stepping forward to wrap his arms around both of us at the same time. He buried his face in Ruby’s hair, and for a second, I felt his lips press against my temple.

"It's over," Nico whispered to us both.

Then he turned to Marcus, who was trying to sneak out the door.

"You're not going anywhere, Marcus," Nico said coldly.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps thundered up the stairs. The four security guards rushed into the room, their weapons drawn.

Nico looked at the guards. "Take them both to the warehouse at the docks. I'll deal with them tonight."