THUD!
Maura's body hit the pavement with a dull thud.
Unconscious.
The queen of chaos had fallen.
For one brief second, the entire lot seemed to stop breathing.
Then panic spread through the remaining men still loyal to her.
They had watched their leader lose.
Watched Darius fail.
Watched Riley, half-broken and bleeding, still stand.
Fear took hold.
And fear made them stupid.
"Grab the woman!"
Two of Maura's surviving men yanked Stephanie backward by the arms. Another rushed behind her and jammed a pistol against the side of her head.
"Everybody back!" he shouted, voice shaking. "Back or she dies!"
Riley's remaining men froze, weapons raised.
Ethan's jaw tightened.
Stephanie struggled furiously.
"Get off me!"
The gun pressed harder against her temple.
"Shut up!"
Riley slowly turned.
His eyes found Stephanie.
Then the men holding her.
