Chapter 11 - CHAOS AT THE GALA
Upstairs in the study, Vance heard his own voice echoing from the speakers outside.
His face turned ghostly pale with sudden panic.
"What is that?!" Vance shrieked, looking toward the hallway.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Marcus slammed his head backward into the mercenary behind him.
The guard’s nose broke with a loud crack, and he dropped his weapon.
Marcus swept the leg of the second guard, sending him crashing to the floor.
He snatched the fallen rifle and fired two quick rounds, disarming the remaining mercenaries.
Vance scrambled toward the balcony doors, screaming for backup over his intercom.
"Security to the master study! Kill everyone!" Vance bellowed into his radio.
Marcus kicked the pistol out of Vance's hand and grabbed him by the lapels.
"Your speech was very moving, Mayor," Marcus growled, punching Vance hard in the jaw.
Vance crumpled to the floor, bleeding from his lip.
Outside the study, heavy footsteps sprinted up the marble staircase.
"Marcus, you have company incoming!" Sarah warned through the ear piece.
Marcus grabbed Vance by the collar and dragged him out onto the upper balcony overlooking the main ballroom.
Below, hundreds of guests were screaming and rushing for the exit doors.
Police sirens were already wailing in the distance as news reporters outside tuned into the broadcast.
"Tell your men to stand down, Vance!" Marcus shouted over the chaos.
Vance looked down at the ruined ballroom, his political empire crumbling in seconds.
A mad, unhinged smile spread across Vance's bloody mouth.
"If I go down, Marcus..." Vance whispered chillingly.
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"...I'm taking this entire city with me."
Vance pulled a small detonator from his pocket and pressed the red button.
