Page 131 of Stone Coast

That loosened his grasp enough for me to spin around, break free, and double-tap the bastard in the sternum.

My bullets drilled craters in his chest.

He gasped for breath, not long for the world.

I spun around and advanced down the corridor toward the fish holds. My heart pounded my chest as the barrel of my pistol led the way through the darkness.

There was nowhere else for Ross to go.

I reached the hatch to the converted compartment and hovered close to the bulkhead. I pulled the hatch open, muzzle flash lit up the darkness, and bullets streaked through the air.

I had anticipated those and managed to stay out of the way.

"Come any closer, and she dies,” Ross shouted from inside the hold, a gun to Olivia's head.

“Let her go, and I'll let you walk away," I replied, my voice echoing off the bulkheads.

"Why don't I trust you?"

"Because you’re a lying, untrustworthy snake.”

With my back flat against the bulkhead near the hatch, I waited for the opportune moment. I peered around the corner and squinted through the darkness.

Ross made himself small behind Olivia, with the gun at her temple. "You don't want your friend to die, do you?"

"She dies, you die. It's a simple equation.”

"I'm going to count to three, then I'm going to pull the trigger." Ross advanced, moving to the forward bulkhead.

We were now inches apart, only a mass of steel separating us. It was a smart tactical move. It would give him enough time to shoot Olivia, then aim his weapon at the hatch. By the time I angled my weapon inside, he’d be free to shoot. Ross was no dummy.

"Vanna, shoot this piece of shit!" Olivia shouted.

She elbowed him in the rib cage, then spun free.

I angled my pistol around the hatch as Ross hesitated, deciding which target to deal with first. His barrel had followed Olivia as she spun away, but by the time I entered the compartment, he moved his weapon in my direction.

It was too late.

I squeezed the trigger twice, sending two angry bullets his way. Muzzle flash lit up the compartment for two brief milliseconds.

The bullet hit like a sledgehammer and knocked Ross to the ground.

Geysers of crimson spewed.

He gasped and gurgled on the deck. Ross aimed his pistol at me and managed to get off one shot. The bullet snapped through the air, pelting the far bulkhead and ricocheting without event.

I put another bullet into him, then rushed into the compartment, keeping my weapon aimed at him. He whimpered and moaned as I approached. My foot swept his weapon aside, clearing it from his grasp.

I hovered over Ross and aimed my pistol at his forehead.

He looked up at me, knowing the end was near. This was the man who’d ordered his men to steal my gun and frame me for murder. This was the man who had taken away my memory. Now I was going to take away his. I squeezed the trigger, putting a bullet in his brain, just to be sure. This was one person I didn't want coming back to life.

The ear-splitting report rang out. The brass shell casing danced against the deck for a moment before growing still.

The chaos was over, and the boat grew quiet.

Olivia stood tall, brushed herself off, and took a relieved breath. "I'm going to go out on a limb and say you don't work in IT."