Chapter 49: The Bait
Setting the Trap
The plan was risky. Reckless, even. But it was the only way to stay ahead of Vikram—and whoever else was watching them.
"If we're going to do this," Aadarsh said, "we need to control every variable."
"That means choosing the location, the time, and the conditions of the exchange," Kiara added.
Amrita nodded. "And most importantly, we need to make sure Vikram doesn't walk away with the real file."
Priya hesitated. "You're asking me to create a decoy?"
"Yes," Amrita said. "Something convincing enough to fool him—at least for long enough to give us the upper hand."
Priya exhaled slowly. "I can do that. But once we hand it over, Vikram won't just leave us alone. He'll verify it, realize it's fake, and then he'll come for us."
"Then we have to be gone before that happens," Naira said.
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The Meeting
Two nights later, the team was ready. They had chosen an abandoned warehouse near the docks, a place with plenty of exits—and no security cameras.
Amrita, Aadarsh, and Priya arrived first, while Kiara and Naira stayed hidden nearby, watching. The tension was thick as they waited.
At exactly midnight, Vikram arrived. He stepped out of a black SUV, flanked by two men in dark suits.
"You came," he said, smiling as he approached. "Smart choice."
Amrita held up a flash drive. "The file. Just like you asked."
Vikram extended a hand. "Give it to me."
"Not yet," Amrita said, standing her ground. "First, we need to know we're safe."
Vikram chuckled. "You don't get to make demands."
"You're wrong," Aadarsh cut in. "You need this file, and we need insurance. We all walk away, or no deal."
Vikram studied them, then nodded slightly. One of his men pulled out a device, plugging the flash drive into it. The screen lit up with lines of encrypted text.
"It looks real," the man murmured.
Vikram smirked. "Well played." He pocketed the drive. "But let's be clear—if this is a trick, you won't get another chance."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Amrita let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"Did that just work?" Naira's voice crackled in their earpieces.
"For now," Kiara said. "But we need to move—fast."
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The Escape
The moment Vikram was gone, the team sprang into action.
"We can't go back to the safe house," Priya said. "It's compromised."
Aadarsh nodded. "I have a backup plan. There's an old apartment my cousin used to rent—it's empty, and no one will trace us there."
As they drove through the silent streets, Amrita checked her phone. A single message flashed on the screen.
> "Nice try. See you soon."
Her stomach twisted. Vikram wasn't fooled.
"We don't have much time," she muttered.
And then the headlights appeared in the rearview mirror.
A black SUV.
Speeding toward them.
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To Be Continued...
Can the team escape Vikram's pursuit? Will the real file remain hidden? And how far will Vikram go to get what he wants? Stay tuned!