REJECTED DESIRE

CHAPTER FIVE: THE SHOWDOWN

As Victor Turner got closer, Lily's heart beat and she felt shivers down her spine from his icy smile. Sarah's eyes moved around, searching for a way out as she tightened her hold on the steering wheel. The black SUV was preventing any attempt to drive past, and the road was empty.

Sarah murmured, "Remain calm," in a steady, earnest voice. "We must think."

Victor moved forward one more step, his presence filled with threat. With a chilly voice he said, "Lily, you should have stayed out of this." "But you've seen and known too much by now."

Lily forced herself to look at Victor and gulped hard. "Victor, what do you want?"

Victor narrowed his eyes and replied, "I want what's mine." And, I want Martinez out of the picture. Totally.”

Lily tried to sound more confident than she was when she said, "You won't get away with this." "People are going to discover what you're doing."

Victor gave a deep, ominous laugh. I'll grant you that—you're brave. However, bravery won't help you.

Sarah's phone buzzed to an incoming message. She glanced at the screen, and her eyes widened. She whispered with a low voice "Lily, I think I found a way out."

Victor's men surrounded the car and began to move in before Lily could reply. Lily's heart started to beat faster. Time was not on their side.

Sarah said, "We need to act now." Her voice was full of urgency. "Believe me."

Lily nodded, putting all of her faith in Sarah. There was nothing else for her to do. Sarah stepped on the throttle as Victor's men lunged for the car doors, sending the vehicle lurching forward with the tires squealing. They veered around the SUV, leaving a tiny opening that allowed them to squeeze through.

When Victor yelled commands, his men hurried to get into their cars, but Sarah drove like a woman possessed, slicing through the streets with expert accuracy. With her heart in her throat, Lily clung to the seat.

Sarah said, "We have to get to Martinez," in a focused voice. "He must know about Project Phoenix."

Lily nodded, thinking quickly. With the hope that Martinez would pick up, she grabbed her phone and dialed his number. Once, twice, and then—the phone rang.

"Martinez," he said calmly and steadily, a composed voice could be heard over the phone.

It's Lily, Martinez. Victor is pursuing us. He is aware of Project Phoenix.

Martinez's voice became cold after a brief pause. "Where is your location?"

"We're headed to your office," Lily said, looking at Sarah, who gave her a sign of approval. "However, Victor's men are directly behind us."

Martinez told her to "stay on the line." “Security will be waiting for you here, I promise.”

There was a noticeable tension in the car as they raced through the city. Lily watched as Victor's men drew closer, keeping her eyes on the road behind them. Lily realized that they were coming closer and that it would not be long until they caught up.

Sarah responded, "Hang on," and then made a sudden spin that almost sent Lily flying. The car barely fitting between the buildings, as they barreled down a tiny alley. Sarah's skillful driving kept them ahead.

When they finally came out onto a main road, Fernandez Enterprises' enormous skyscraper was seen in front of them. Lily felt a wave of relief as she noticed Martinez's security detail standing outside the premises, prepared to take action.

Sarah screamed to stop, and they both leaped from the vehicle and ran inside the building for safety. For a brief while, it looked as though Martinez's men may succeed as they pushed to stop Victor's thugs.

However, a shot was fired and echoed throughout the street. When Lily turned to see one of Victor's soldiers staring straight at them, she froze. She felt a wave of panic sweep through her and she bent down for cover, pulling Sarah with her.

"Lily, please enter!" Martinez's voice, strong and urgent, broke through the chaos.

With Sarah in tow, Lily scurried to her feet. The glass doors closed behind them as they ran into the building. They were surrounded by hordes of security guards who formed a barrier between them and the danger outside.

Martinez appeared, his expression a mask of subdued rage. "Are you okay?" he said, looking for any signs of injury on Lily.

Lily exhaled, her chest heaving, "We're fine." Though, Victor is aware of Project Phoenix. He will not give up.

Martinez's face became serious. Then, we must stop him first. Come with me.

Following Martinez, they made their way through the building's hallways and into a locked conference room. Martinez closed the door behind them and turned to look at Sarah and Lily.

"We must move quickly," Martinez said in a quiet voice. "Victor poses a greater threat than we thought." If he has access to Project Phoenix, it may spell disaster.

Lily nodded, her mind racing. "What exactly is Project Phoenix?"

Martinez said nothing, then spoke. "This is a highly secret project, that has the power to completely transform our sector. However, it might be disastrous in the wrong hands.

Sarah cast a stern look at Martinez.

"What must we do to stop him?"

Martinez replied, "We have to find the document outlining Project Phoenix." Though, Victor has people all over the place, even though it's hidden in a safe place. We must take care of it before he does.

Lily felt her heart race. This is bigger than her initial expectations. But she knew that she had to act now. There is so much on the line.

Her voice was firm as she said, "We'll do whatever it takes."

Nodding, Martinez replied. “Well done”. This evening, we leave at once. There is no time to wait.”

Lily couldn't get rid of the feeling that something monumental, something that would completely transform their lives, was about to happen as they planned. She sent a glance at Martinez's way and noticed the determination in his eyes. They would not give up until they had finally defeated Victor since they were all in this together.

But Lily's phone started buzzing once more as they were about to leave. With her heart racing, she quickly peered at the screen. Another message from the unknown number.

"Time is not on your side. We're closer than you think.”

Lily felt her heart sink. She knew they were going to have to fight for their lives since the stakes had just gotten even higher.