Double Crossed

Alan's POV

As we make our way back to the car, my ears still catch Victor's low hum. Every shadow in the dense evening air seems like a threat. Ariel's rapid steps follow me, her face set in a mixture of concern and will. I don't trust Victor any more than I trusted Stella; I can't get rid of the impression that we have just negotiated with the devil. However, right now he is our best chance to surpass whatever game Stella is playing.

Ariel gets in the car, and my mind racing, I slide into the driver's seat. Like a dark cloud hovering over us, Victor's warning about Stella's next action begs questions about what type of anarchy she is likely to unleash. I look at Ariel; her eyes go blankly out the window.

"You okay?" I start the engine by asking.

She nods, not looking at me. "I merely... Who we can believe anymore is unknown. Everyone seems to be out for themselves.

Tightening my grasp on the steering wheel, I strive to ground my ideas. "We have one another." That sums up all that counts. We will work on this.

When Ariel does meet my eye at last, her eyes show a flutter of fragile optimism. Yeah. all together.

We drive silently, the stress palpable between us. I keep looking in the mirrors half-expecting to find Stella's goons trailing us. My stomach starts to hurt when we at last make it into Ariel's apartment building. Something doesn't seem correct. Every instinct I have cries that we are not alone; it is too calm, too still.

I mutter, "Ariel, stay close," reaching for the little knife I always carry under my seat. She nods, her motions measured as we leave the car. My heart quickens as the low street lamp lighting creates spooky shadows over the parking lot.

We hurry for the door, but as we get there a man emerges from the shadows. Marie, Ariel's sister, comes here. She seems different—more anxious than usual—her eyes darting around as though under observation.

"What are you Marie doing here? Ariel probes, her voice tinged with mistrust.

Marie chewing her lip looks over her shoulder. "I came to let you know."

Ariel stiffens next to me, and I can sense the strain radiating from her. " warn us about what? "

Marie moves her weight when shaking hands. Stella has a major planning project. She is severing connections to all of Adam's supporters, including Victor. You two are on her list; she is tightening off-balance ends.

Though the confirmation still makes me shudder, I cannot say I'm shocked. I approach more closely, speaking softly. "Why are you now telling us this, Marie? For you what is in it?

Desperate in her eyes, she looks at me. Stella is flying out of control. She doesn't give a damn about who she damages; if you two fall from grace, I'm right next. You can help all of us stop her. I need you specifically.

Ariel's jaw gets tense, and I can see the mental struggle raging inside her. Marie has always been a wildcard; depending on her makes one feel as though they are entering a trap. But Stella is closing in and we have few choices.

"How do we know you're not setting us up?" Her voice is icy as Ariel asks.

Marie looks around tensely and swallows hard. Not me. Stella does not know I am here. She is scheduled to strike tomorrow; she has Victor's address and will make her move then.

I gaze at Ariel and then back here. This transforms everything. Should Stella be pursuing Victor, our precarious relationship with him is poised to break before it really begins. We have to alert him, but more importantly we have to find ways to use this to our benefit.

"Fine," I answer quickly, making a snap judgment. We'll be of assistance. But Marie, if you are lying, things will not work out for you.

Marie nods fast, her face white. "I swear; all I want is this to stop."

I turn to Ariel when she vanishes into the night; the instant she is out of view, We have to get to Victor before she does.

We get to Victor's safe home, a dilapidated structure near the town outskirts. Though I know better, the place looks deserted. Victor's security is strong; even before we get to the front door, I can see eyes staring at us. Twice then once more—a code Victor insisted on—I knock.

The door swings open, and Leo, a burly man second in command, welcomes us. He doesn't waste time on politeness and his attitude is tense. " Victor's waiting."

We follow a labyrinth of dark tunnels to Victor's temporary office. Seated at a table, he was surrounded by papers and maps. His eyes narrow as we go in and he looks up.

"This better be good," he says with an annoyed voice.

"It's Stella," I say, right to the point. She is scheduled to follow you. TOMorrow.

Victor's face stays the same, but I can sense the gears in his head spinning. "I calculated as much as necessary. She has been housekeeping ever since Adam left.

Stepping forward, Ariel says, "We need to strike first." "We might be able to stop this before she gets to you if we surprise her."

Turning back in his chair, Victor studies us. And from what standpoint are you planning? Because you are insane if you are advocating a head-on attack.

I looked at Ariel then back at Victor. "Not head-on". We must create a trap, something she will not see approaching.

Victor taps his fingers on the table and muses on this. Stella's been using a venue here for her meetings. Should we be able to entice her there, we could have a chance.

Though it's long odds, this is the best we have right now. "Let's do it," I say, the surge in adrenaline starting. Still, we have to move quickly.

The following day seems to be a haze. We prepare for hours precisely setting up the trap. As Victor's men settle in, Ariel and I go over every element until there's no space for mistake. Every minute sensation makes my nerves tense and seems to be pulling us toward the moment of truth.

We set up as evening falls. Victor chose an abandoned warehouse that is ideal—isolated with lots of hiding places. From across the room, I observe Ariel's tight face; I nod reassuringly to her. Together, we have seen hell; tonight, it is all or nothing.

Stella arrives signaled by the sound of engines outside. We wait silently, each breath laboring with expectancy. Her confident walk indicates to me she has no idea what is going to happen as she enters the structure with her guards. We seem to be one step ahead at last for a brief period.

But then something goes awry. One of Victor's guys falls to the floor clutching his leg as the room echoes with a loud snap. Stella's guards react quickly, and immediately the scene is anarchy. Gunfire bursts, and I dive for cover bringing Ariel down with me.

"Damn it!," says Victor yells and launches himself from his vantage point. She was aware!

Realizing too late we have been playing, I grit my teeth. Stella was setting one of her own, not stepping into a trap. I peep over the corner and see Stella guiding her soldiers with a haughty smile on her face amid the turmoil.

We rush to reassemble, but it is obvious we are losing control. Stella's soldiers count more than ours, and every second that goes by seems like another trip toward failure. I glimpse Victor, slumped behind a mound of goods, his face contorted in wrath. He glances at me and I can sense the unwritten message: this is on us.

Ariel strains at my arm, speaking urgently. We have to retreat!

I nod while my thoughts fly. We have to get out, but every exit is closed. The sound of heavy footfall permeates the room just as I am ready to propose a break for it. I turn, heart stopping as fresh armed men storm in—reinforcements. However, they are not Stella's.

Victor's face opens into a cheeky smile. "Looks like Stella, you are not the only one with skills."

The tide flips fast. Stella's army withdraws as Victor's backup takes over. Stella's confident smile disappears, then she looks absolutely furious since she knows she missed this round. She locks eyes with me as her guys retreat, yet, her face is cold and calculated.

She snarls, then vanishes into the night: "This isn't over."

Watching her go, I feel a mixture of relief and anxiety. We have survived, but hardly at all. And Stella's pledge hangs there, a sobering reminder that she is far from done with us.

Victor gives me a strong shoulder hug. "You did great, young man. Stella is correct, though, about one thing: this conflict is not yet finished.

Knowing he is right, I nod. The next action is ours; the battle lines have been established. Ariel squeezes my hand as we exit the warehouse, and the contact gives me some brief solace. We are still fighting, hence as long