The metallic click of the hammer pulling back echoed in Anthony's ears, a chilling prelude to the inevitable. Adrenaline surged through him, hot and powerful. With a primal scream ripping from his throat, he launched himself at Alexander, a human battering ram. Alexander hit the ground with a sickening thud, the impact reverberating through the room. The surrounding mafia associates stumbled back, grunting in surprise, their polished leather shoes scraping against the marble floor.
"You little shit—" a guard snarled, grabbing a fistful of Anthony's hair. But his words died in his throat as a deafening blast ripped through the air. The guard's head erupted in a gruesome spray of crimson, the sickeningly sweet scent of blood filling the room. Chaos erupted. Gunfire filled the air, each shot a spike of adrenaline. Anthony dropped to his knees, instinctively using the bodies of the fallen as shields, the warmth of their blood a horrifying contrast to the cold marble beneath him.
With desperate strength, he shoved the corpses toward the other associates, creating a fleeting gap. He lashed out blindly, his fist connecting with a jaw, a sickening crunch followed by a pained groan.
Alexander, scrambling to regain control, aimed a vicious kick at Anthony's head. Anthony rolled, narrowly avoiding the blow, the whoosh of air a stark reminder of how close he'd come to being knocked unconscious. His hand closed around a heavy ashtray, its cold surface a small comfort in the chaos. He swung it wildly, forcing Alexander to stumble back, shock and pain etched on his face as the ashtray connected with his arm. The gun clattered to the ground.
Seeing his chance, Anthony kicked the weapon away, fueled by pure desperation. He scrambled to his feet, adrenaline coursing through his veins, and bolted for the kitchen, the swinging door a beacon of hope. A searing pain ripped through his leg as a bullet found its mark, white-hot agony making him stumble. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the burning sensation, driven by the primal urge to survive.
Alexander, face twisted in fury, raised his gun again, eyes locked on Anthony. Anthony ducked instinctively, the world slowing as he heard the deafening roar of a gunshot. A bullet ripped through the heavy curtains, grazing his leg, adding to the agony radiating through his body. The shrill alarm pierced the air, a siren song of hope signaling that backup was on its way.
Adrenaline pumping, he sprinted through the plush, red-carpeted hallways, the fabric now stained with his blood, marking his desperate flight. He ducked and weaved as Alexander fired again, bullets shattering windows and sending shards of glass raining down like icy daggers. He ran, lungs burning, breath ragged, the taste of blood thick in his mouth, navigating the twists of the garden maze, the manicured hedges scratching at his skin.
Close behind, Alexander roared in frustration. "Damn it!" He felt a surge of rage at being defied by this insignificant worm.
"Get him!" he bellowed, voice echoing through the grand foyer. "Don't let that son of a bitch escape!" He burst through the ornate doors leading to the sprawling gardens, cool night air a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. Spotting Anthony's blood-stained silhouette darting between the hedges, he raised his magnum and fired, the gunshot cracking through the still night air.
"Stop right there, you fucking traitor!" Alexander's voice dripped with venom. "You think you can betray me and just walk away? I'll paint this whole garden red before I let you go!"
He stalked forward, footsteps heavy on the manicured lawn, scanning the maze for any sign of his prey. Adrenaline surged through him, heart hammering against his ribcage as he closed in on Anthony's position. He would have his revenge.
The associates, recovering from the initial shock, scrambled to their feet, guns trained on Anthony's figure. He dodged and weaved, diving to the ground as bullets whizzed past, skin stinging from debris. Rolling up, muscles screaming, he scrambled out of the maze, gunfire echoing behind him, a terrifying reminder of his pursuers.
"I've got him! Take him down!" the associates yelled, voices filled with murderous intent.
"Get the cars!" Alexander bellowed. "We're not letting him leave this property alive!"
The associates nodded grimly, fanning out across the lawns, movements swift and coordinated to cut off Anthony's escape routes. Alexander reloaded his magnum, the metallic clicks sharp in the night air, his eyes scanning the maze, waiting for backup, ensuring Anthony had nowhere left to run.
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