Page 17 of Devlin

She forced a smile, her fingers brushing the edge of her bag. “Enzo. I brought the documents,” she said.

Enzo’s eyes flickered with interest as he approached, but there was something else there too—suspicion. Krista knew she had to tread carefully. One wrong move, and this could all go south.

“Let’s see them,” Enzo said, extending his hand.

Krista opened her bag and pulled out the documents, her hands steady despite the fear gnawing at her. She handed them over, watching as Enzo flipped through the pages, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, everything seemed to hang in the balance. Krista held her breath, waiting for Enzo’s reaction, hoping Devlin’s alterations would go unnoticed.

This was the moment. She had successfully lured Enzo here. In a few minutes, Mark and Tony would barge in. Take care of Enzo and the two men with him. All she needed to do was buy just a little more time.

Enzo’s eyes narrowed as he looked up from the papers, his gaze locking onto hers. “Interesting,” he said slowly. “Very interesting.”

Krista’s heart pounded in her chest. She had to stay calm, had to play her part. There was no room for mistakes now.

“What do you mean?” she asked, her voice steady.

Enzo’s smile was cold. “A source told me you’re in Devlin Arrow’s pocket. That you betrayed me.”

Krista’s heart raced at those words. A source? Phantom? Before she could react, one of Enzo’s men pulled out a gun and pointed it at her.

“I presume these are useless,” Enzo said, ripping the documents and letting the torn pieces flutter to the floor. He rose to his feet, eyes dark with menace. “You made a mistake, making me your enemy.”

Krista’s mind raced, searching for a way out. She couldn’t let panic overtake her. As Enzo turned to leave, Krista made her move. She lunged toward the door, but the gunman stepped in her path, blocking her escape. Desperation fueled her next actions.

Krista ducked as the gunman swung at her, managing to dodge the blow and grab a nearby barstool. She swung it at him, hitting him in the side and causing him to stumble.

Suddenly, the front door burst open, and Mark and Tony stormed in, guns drawn.

“Drop your weapons!” Mark shouted.

Chaos erupted. Gunfire filled the air as bullets flew from both sides. Krista dove behind the bar, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear Mark and Tony returning fire, the sounds of struggle and shouts filling the space.

She crawled toward the kitchen, seeking cover. As she reached the swinging door, she glanced back and saw Mark take down one of Enzo’s men. Tony was holding his own, but the odds were still against them.

Krista pushed through the kitchen door and stumbled inside. The bartender, the middle-aged man who had been cleaning glasses, was now cowering in the corner, his face pale with fear.

“Stay down!” Krista shouted at him, grabbing a large kitchen knife from the counter.

She could hear the fight continuing outside, the sharp cracks of gunfire echoing through the bar.

The bartender’s eyes were wide with terror as he nodded, clutching his rag to his chest like a lifeline. Krista moved cautiously, peering out through the small kitchen window that overlooked the bar area.

Mark and Tony had taken care of Enzo’s last man. Enzo was nowhere to be seen. He must have slipped away in the chaos.

Her job here was done. Krista exited the kitchen, her heart pounding in her chest. As she stepped into the alleyway, she froze. Enzo hadn’t fled as she had initially thought. He stood there, a cruel smile on his face, pointing a gun directly at her.

“Going somewhere?” he said with a sneer. His finger was on the trigger.

Krista’s grip tightened on the kitchen knife, her mind racing for a plan. She couldn’t let him shoot her, couldn’t let this be the end. With a deep breath, she moved, circling slowly to her right, trying to buy herself time.

Enzo’s eyes tracked her every move. “Drop the knife, Krista. You’re out of your league,” he said.

“Like hell I am,” she spat back, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins. She needed to find a way out, a moment of distraction.

Suddenly, she lunged forward, slashing at Enzo’s arm. He staggered back, cursing as the blade grazed his skin. But he didn’t drop the gun. Instead, he aimed more carefully, his eyes narrowing with fury.

“You’re dead,” he growled.

---