RECKONING
1357 Words
CHAPTER 10
Michael sat in the dim glow of the safe house, the weight of Anna’s capture sinking into his chest like a knife. His hands curled into fists as the image of her frightened face haunted him. He had promised to protect her—he had failed. The flickering light of the overhead bulb cast long shadows across the room, matching the dark turmoil in his mind. His phone sat on the table in front of him, dark and silent. Each passing second without news tightened the noose around his chest.
Then the burner phone in his pocket vibrated sharply. Michael’s eyes sharpened as he pulled it out and answered without hesitation.
“Michael,” a low, familiar voice said.
Michael’s heart tightened. “K?”
“Yes,” the voice confirmed. “She’s alive—but not for long if we don’t move quickly.”
Michael’s jaw clenched. “Where is she?”
“Offshore black site,” K replied. “Jessica’s guarding her—but the CEO’s private security is running the lockdown.”
Michael’s breath sharpened. “Wait—what did you say?”
“The CEO’s security.”
Michael’s chest tightened. “How the hell do you know that?”
“Because I’m inside the network,” K replied smoothly. “And I’m not the only one.”
Another call buzzed through. An unknown number. Michael hesitated, then answered.
“Michael,” said a second voice—rough and sharp with familiarity.
His breath hitched. “No… Damon?”
“I told you I’d never disappear,” Damon said. “I’ve been working behind the scenes. Now that Anna’s involved, we can’t wait anymore.”
Michael’s heart hammered. “You knew about this?”
“We’ve been tracking the CEO’s moves for months,” Damon replied. “He crossed the line with Anna. We’re ready to strike.”
Michael’s mind raced. “And you didn’t tell me?”
“I needed proof before making a move,” Damon said.
Michael’s jaw tightened. His thoughts were already shifting to strategy.
“How?”
“K can disable internal security. I’ve got the blueprints for the site. You get Anna—I’ll handle the CEO’s guards.”
Michael’s breath sharpened. “And what happens when this goes wrong?”
“Then we burn it all down,” Damon said.
Michael stood, his chest rising and falling. Anna’s face flashed through his mind—her smile, her warmth, her unwavering belief in him.
“We do this together,” Michael said. “I’m not leaving without her.”
“Then it’s settled,” K said. “We move tonight.”
Anna sat on the cold floor, her wrists bound, her heart thundering beneath her ribs. Across the dimly lit room, Jessica perched on the edge of a sleek table, her gaze cold and calculating. Her dark hair was pulled back into a perfect chignon, and her eyes glittered with a dangerous light.
“He’ll come for you,” Jessica said, her tone smooth.
Anna’s chin lifted. “And when he does, you’ll regret this.”
Jessica’s smile sharpened. “Oh, I’m counting on him showing up. That’s the fun part.”
Anna’s gaze hardened. “You loved him once.”
Jessica’s expression twisted. “And that was my mistake.”
Anna’s brow furrowed. “Why?”
Jessica’s eyes narrowed. “Michael was loyal to a fault. But I was the one he leaned on when the walls of the organization started closing in. We were a team. Partners. Until you.”
Anna’s mouth tightened. “He didn’t leave you because of me.”
Jessica’s smile was cold. “Maybe not. But he didn’t fight for me, either.”
Anna’s chest tightened. Jessica’s bitterness radiated off her like poison.
Jessica stood and brushed imaginary dust off her sleek jacket. “Stay put, Anna. This should be fun.”
Jessica turned and walked out of the room, her heels clicking sharply against the cold floor. The door sealed shut behind her.
Anna’s hands curled into fists. “Michael,” she whispered.
Michael crept through the darkened corridors, his heart thudding with single-minded purpose. K’s voice hummed in his earpiece.
“Security is down. You have five minutes.”
“Copy that.”
Damon’s voice cut in. “Three guards ahead. Silent takedown.”
Michael slipped through the hallway like a shadow. He dispatched the guards with lethal precision, his movements swift and calculated. Finally, he reached the door where Anna was being held.
“Go,” Damon said. “Get her out.”
Michael swiped the keycard. The door slid open. Anna was curled against the wall, her head snapping up as the light spilled in. Her eyes widened when she saw him.
“Michael?”
He crossed the room in two strides, pulling her into his arms. Anna’s breath hitched as her fingers curled into his jacket.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered into her hair.
Her hands trembled as she clutched him tighter. “How did you—”
“It doesn’t matter,” Michael said. He pulled back just enough to cup her face, his eyes burning with intensity. “I’m not letting you go again.”
Anna’s eyes glistened. “Michael—”
He kissed her then—deep and desperate, his hands framing her face as if grounding himself in her warmth. Anna melted into him, her breath hitching as her fingers dug into his shoulders.
When they broke apart, Michael brushed his thumb over her cheek.
“You okay?”
“I am now,” Anna breathed.
Footsteps thundered down the hallway.
“We need to move,” K’s voice crackled.
Michael took her hand. “Stay close.”
“Always,” Anna whispered.
They slipped through the darkened corridors. Red lights flared across the walls as alarms erupted.
“They’re closing in,” Damon said over the line.
“Take the east exit,” K instructed. “I’ve got the cameras looped.”
Anna’s pulse raced as Michael tugged her behind him. The sound of boots closing in tightened the knot in her chest.
Just as they rounded the corner toward the exit, a figure stepped into their path.
Jessica.
“Going somewhere?” Jessica’s smile was cold, her gun aimed directly at Michael’s chest.
Michael stiffened. “Jessica.”
Jessica’s gaze flicked toward Anna, her smile sharpening with malice. “Poor Anna. Always in the way.”
Anna’s breath hitched as Michael’s grip tightened protectively around her waist.
“Step aside, Jessica,” Michael said, his tone razor-sharp.
Jessica’s smile widened. “Or what? You’ll shoot me?”
“Don’t test me,” Michael growled.
Jessica’s gaze darkened. “You think you’ve won? You think you’re walking out of here?”
Anna’s heart raced as Jessica’s finger curled over the trigger.
Suddenly, a sharp click echoed through the line.
“Put it down, Jessica,” Damon’s voice cut through the tension.
Jessica’s gaze flicked toward the source of the sound. Damon stood in the shadows, his gun leveled at her head.
“You wouldn’t shoot me,” Jessica sneered.
“Try me,” Damon said.
Jessica’s jaw tensed. Slowly, she lowered the gun.
“You’ve made a mistake, Michael,” Jessica said quietly.
“No,” Michael said. “You made the mistake.”
Jessica’s eyes flashed. “We’ll see.”
Michael pulled Anna toward the exit. Jessica’s cold gaze followed them as they disappeared into the dark.
Michael’s burner phone buzzed. He picked it up.
“Good job,” K’s voice said. “She’s safe.”
“For now,” Michael replied.
“You’re lucky you got out in one piece,” K said.
“How do you know so much about this?”
“Because I know who the CEO is,” K said.
Michael’s breath hitched. “You what?”
“Damon figured it out weeks ago,” K replied.
Michael’s eyes widened. “Damon—why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you weren’t ready,” Damon’s voice cut in.
Michael’s jaw tightened.
“Then it’s time to finish this,” he said.
- Writer
