Chapter 6
961 Words
*Title: The Trap*
The plan was simple. Dangerous. But simple.
Ava stood by the window of the safe house, staring at the city lights. In her hands was a burner phone. In her pocket was a fake folder. Inside that folder were blank papers.
“Are you sure about this?” Elise asked from behind her.
Ava didn’t turn around. “No. But it’s the only way.”
Two days of planning. Two days of barely sleeping. And now it all came down to tonight.
Viktor wanted the folder. They would give him a fake one. In exchange, Lucas would get the real evidence he needed to put Viktor away for good.
The location: an abandoned warehouse in Manila Port. Midnight.
No police. No backup. Just them and Viktor’s men.
Ava heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see Lucas.
He looked different tonight. Black tactical gear, gun at his hip, expression unreadable.
“You don’t have to do this,” he said quietly.
Ava raised an eyebrow. “And let Viktor walk free? No.”
Lucas stepped closer. “If anything happens to you—”
“It won’t,” Ava said, cutting him off. “We stick to the plan.”
Lucas stared at her for a long moment. Then he nodded.
“Stick to the plan,” he repeated.
---
11:58 PM. Warehouse 14, Manila Port.
The place smelled of rust and seawater. Empty containers lined the walls, casting long shadows in the dim light.
Ava stood in the center of the warehouse, the fake folder in her hands. On her ear was a small comms device connected to Lucas and Elise, who were hidden in the rafters above.
“Remember,” Elise’s voice whispered in her ear. “Don’t make any sudden moves. Let him come to you.”
Ava swallowed hard. “Got it.”
The sound of footsteps echoed through the warehouse.
Viktor walked in, flanked by six armed men. He looked calm. Too calm.
“Mrs. Black,” he said, smiling. “You’re braver than I thought.”
Ava held up the folder. “You want this? Come and get it.”
Viktor chuckled. “I don’t need to. My men can take it from you.”
Before Ava could react, two men stepped forward.
“Wait,” Viktor said, stopping them. He walked closer, his eyes scanning her face.
“Where’s Lucas?” he asked quietly.
Ava forced a smile. “Not here. Just me.”
Viktor didn’t believe her. But he didn’t need to.
“Give me the folder,” he said.
Ava hesitated for half a second. Then she tossed it to him.
Viktor caught it easily and opened it.
His smile faded.
“Blank paper,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Ava’s heart pounded.
“Where’s the real one?” he asked.
Ava didn’t answer.
Viktor nodded to his men.
“Kill her.”
---
“NOW!” Elise shouted through the comms.
Lights flooded the warehouse.
Lucas dropped down from the rafters, gun in hand, taking down two men before they could react.
Elise appeared from the other side, firing precise shots.
Chaos erupted.
Ava dove behind a container as bullets flew past her.
“Lucas!” she shouted.
“I’m here!” he called back, moving toward her.
Viktor grabbed Ava’s arm and pulled her up, using her as a shield.
“Drop the gun, Lucas!” Viktor shouted. “Or I kill her!”
Lucas stopped, his gun still raised. His eyes were furious.
“Let her go,” he said coldly.
Viktor smiled. “Not until I get what I want.”
Ava struggled against his grip. “Don’t listen to him, Lucas! Shoot!”
Lucas hesitated.
Viktor pressed the gun harder against Ava’s temple.
“Last chance, Lucas.”
Ava closed her eyes.
If this was how it ended, at least she tried.
Then she heard it.
A click.
Viktor’s eyes widened.
Ava felt the grip on her arm loosen.
She turned to see Elise standing behind Viktor, a gun pointed at his head.
“Let her go,” Elise said calmly.
Viktor hesitated. Then he pushed Ava away and raised his hands.
“Smart move,” he said. “But you’re too late.”
“What do you mean?” Lucas asked, stepping forward.
Viktor smiled.
“Because I already have what I want.”
Before anyone could react, the warehouse doors burst open.
More men walked in. At least twenty.
And at the front was a man Ava recognized.
Mark. The driver.
Ava’s blood ran cold.
“Mark?” she whispered.
Mark didn’t look at her. He looked at Viktor.
“It’s done,” Mark said. “The real folder is in my car.”
Ava felt like she’d been punched in the gut.
Betrayal.
Lucas stepped forward, his face like stone. “You.”
Mark finally looked at him. “Sorry, boss. But Viktor pays better.”
Viktor laughed. “I told you, Lucas. You can’t trust anyone.”
Ava felt tears sting her eyes.
All of this. For nothing.
Viktor turned to leave. “Kill them,” he said to his men.
Gunshots rang out.
Ava threw herself to the ground, covering her head.
When she looked up, Lucas was standing in front of her, shielding her with his body.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Ava nodded, too scared to speak.
Elise fired back, taking down two men.
“We need to move!” she shouted. “Now!”
Lucas grabbed Ava’s hand and pulled her to her feet.
“Run!”
They ran.
Bullets chased them as they made their way toward the back exit.
Ava’s shoulder screamed in pain, but she didn’t stop.
They b
- Writer
