Lev tries to move. Can't. Too weak from blood loss.
Patrick cocks the gun. "Any last words?"
I step out of the smoke. Raise my weapon. "Get away from him."
Patrick spins. Eyes widening when he sees me. "Well. This is unexpected."
"I said, get away from him." My voice doesn't shake. The gun doesn't waver. "Now."
"Or what? You'll shoot me?" He laughs. "You don't have the spine, girl. You're a spy who couldn't even commit to betrayal. You think you can pull that trigger?"
"Try me."
His eyes flick to Lev. Back to me. Calculating.
Then he moves. Gun swinging toward me.
I fire.
The shot catches him in the upper right shoulder. He stumbles forward with a cry.
But doesn't go down.
Turns on me with fury blazing in his eyes. "You bitch!"
His gaze drops to my stomach. To the small curve visible under my shirt.
Understanding dawns. Then something worse. Vicious satisfaction.
"You're pregnant." He smiles through blood. "Oh, this is perfect. This is better than I imagined."
He raises his gun. Points it at my stomach. "I'm going to kill you and your bastard with a single bullet. And Lev gets to die knowing he failed a second time."
Time slows.
I see his finger tighten on the trigger.
See Lev's eyes go wide with horror.
See him move despite his wounds. Launching himself from the ground with strength that shouldn't exist.
He tackles Patrick. Both men crash to the floor.
The gun goes off. Bullet tears through the space where I was standing.
They grapple. Two dying men using their last reserves. Brutal. Desperate.
Lev gets on top. Hands around Patrick's throat. Squeezing.
Patrick bucks. Throws him off. Both scramble for the dropped gun.
I try to help. Move forward with my own weapon raised.
But figures emerge from the smoke. Patrick's men. Three of them. Converging.
Hands grab me from behind. The gun is ripped from my grip.
"NO!" I fight. Kick. Scream. "LET ME GO!"
