The industrial sector seemed to hold its breath as Zara locked eyes with Gabriel, the Syndicate's most feared enforcer. His cruel smile was as sharp as the blade he casually spun in his hand. Around him, a dozen heavily armed guards emerged from the shadows, their weapons trained on Zara.
"Well, Zara," Gabriel drawled, stepping closer. "I thought you'd run out of lives by now. Yet here you are, still meddling in matters far beyond your reach."
Zara didn't flinch, her pistol steady in her grasp. "And you're still playing the Syndicate's lapdog. You'd think a man like you would have more ambition."
Gabriel's smile faltered for a split second, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. He waved a hand, signaling his men to fan out. "Ambition? Coming from a woman who's been reduced to scavenging and sabotage? Spare me the moral high ground."
Zara's earpiece crackled softly as Vera's voice came through. "Zara, we've got backup en route, but it'll take at least five minutes. Can you stall?"
Five minutes might as well have been an eternity. Zara's gaze darted to her surroundings—crates, metal beams, and shadows that could provide cover. Callum was still behind the second truck, out of Gabriel's sight, but she knew he'd jump in if things got dicey.
"I don't need five minutes," Zara muttered under her breath, her finger hovering over the trigger.
Gabriel tilted his head. "Talking to ghosts, are we? Or is that your hacker friend feeding you lines? You've become predictable, Zara."
"Let's see how predictable this is," she snapped, diving behind a nearby crate as Gabriel's men opened fire. Bullets ricocheted off metal, and the sharp smell of gunpowder filled the air.
Zara rolled into cover, firing off a few precise shots that took down two guards. Callum, ever the opportunist, emerged from his hiding spot, picking off another guard with his rifle.
Gabriel, unfazed, barked orders to his men. "Flank them! Don't let them regroup!"
Zara's mind raced. She needed to draw Gabriel away from the others. His arrogance made him predictable, and she intended to use it against him.
"Gabriel!" she shouted, breaking from cover. "Why send your men to do your dirty work? Or are you afraid I'll put you down?"
That did it. Gabriel's face twisted into a snarl. "You want me, Kincaid? You've got me."
He charged at her with the speed of a predator, his blade gleaming under the dim light. Zara braced herself, blocking his first strike with her pistol and countering with a swift kick to his side.
Their fight was brutal, a deadly dance of blades and fists. Gabriel's strength was undeniable, but Zara's agility and precision kept her a step ahead.
As their clash reached its peak, a deafening explosion rocked the area. Vera's voice came through the earpiece again. "Zara, the backup team's here, but so are Syndicate reinforcements. You need to get out now!"
Zara gritted her teeth, delivering a sharp blow that sent Gabriel stumbling. "This isn't over," she hissed before retreating into the shadows.
For now, survival was the only victory. But she knew the battle with Gabriel—and the Syndicate—was far from finished.