chapter 20: Edge of deception

Cassidy's fingers lingered over the flash drive Valerie had handed her, its weight feeling much heavier than it looked. She turned it over in her hand, unable to shake the memory of Aaron's lingering touch and the expression in his eyes that was both restrained and vulnerable. She wanted to trust him,she really did. But the submerging feeling in her gut reminded her of the world she was cruising in; a world where trust was both a luxury and a risk.

She was totally aware that she couldn't keep this evidence hidden for long; the information on this drive could expose the network she was up against. But as she tucked it into a secure pocket of her jacket, her phone buzzed with a text. It was Aaron.

Meet me tonight at our usual spot. We have to talk.

Cassidy frowned, her pulse quickening. It wasn't in Aaron's nature to be vague. Every instinct in her was telling her to be cautious, but she needed answers—and, deep down, she hoped that Aaron would provide some reassurance.

As the sun went down the horizon, Cassidy headed to their meeting spot,a cloistered, rundown diner on the outskirts of town. The place was serene, almost eerie in the fading light, and the windows cast long shadows across the parking lot. She sneaked inside, scanning the room for Aaron. There he was, sitting in a corner,in the booth, his posture aroused and his gaze distant.

"Cassidy," he greeted, but there was an unusual tone in his voice. She slid into the booth, closely studying his expression.

"What is it, Aaron?"she asked, her voice soft but edged with caution.

He looked at her, a mandible of his jaw producing a spasm. "We've gone in too deep,"he finally said. "This… Valerie's evidence, Greyson's connections—it's stretches beyond what we thought."

Cassidy searched his face. "Aaron, I thought you promised that you'd help me see this through."

He looked away, exhaling sharply. "There are things you are not aware of,Cassidy. Things that could make this whole situation escalate in ways you can't imagine."

Her brow furrowed, frustration bubbling up inside her. "Aaron, I'm not inexperienced. I can handle this. Just fill me in on whatever is happening."

He opened his mouth to speak, but his gaze drifted to the door. Cassidy followed his line of sight and saw two men walk into the diner, both radiating the unmistakable presence of professionals—government agents, maybe, or something worse. They weren't here for a casual coffee.

Cassidy's heart dropped. "What's the meaning of this, Aaron?"

He hesitated, his hands tightening on the table. "Cassidy, we need to be careful about who we trust. Those men—they're not just here for you. They're here for both of us."

The men approached with a casual demeanor, but their intent was clear. Cassidy's instincts screamed for her to flee, but she knew that any sudden movement would attract attention. She and Aaron shared a silent glance, a brief moment of understanding—and then, in an instant, Aaron slid a small piece of paper across the table.

"Read it later," he whispered, just as the men reached their booth.

One of the men spoke, his tone deceptively warm. "Aaron Langston, Cassidy Greyson. Quite the duo, aren't you?"

Cassidy forced a calm smile. "We're just two people trying to mind our business. How can we help you?"

The man's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Actually, you can. We've been instructed to have a little chat with you both."

Cassidy and Aaron exchanged a worried glance, but before they could respond, the men gestured toward the door, signaling them to follow. Cassidy's stomach churned, but she stood up while trying so hard to mantain her composure. Outside, the men led them to a black SUV parked at the periphery of the lot.

As they approached, one of the men opened the back door, motioning for Cassidy to get in. Aaron delayed, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder.

"We're not going anywhere with you,until you tell us whose orders you are following" Aaron insisted, his voice firm.

"We work for the people maintaining order in this town. You've been making quite a stir, Langston. Your time's up." The man's expression remained unchanged

Before Cassidy could react, Aaron grabbed her wrist and whispered urgently, "Run."

Without hesitation, they took off, dodging between cars as shouts echoed behind them. Gunshots rang out, shattering the quiet of the night, and Cassidy's heart raced as they ducked behind a line of parked vehicles, trying to catch their breath.

Aaron turned to her, his face obscured in shadow. "Cassidy, those men—they're connected to the same people who manipulated Greyson. We can't hide forever."

Cassidy's thoughts raced, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. "Aaron… do you know them?"

He looked away, his silence speaking volumes.

A chill swept over Cassidy as the realization struck her. "Aaron, have you been working with them all along?"

He met her gaze, his expression a mix of regret and something else she couldn't identify. "I didn't have a choice, Cassidy. They had leverage over me. But I never wanted this. I never wanted to betray you."

She stepped back, the weight of his confession heavy on her. This wasn't just a battle against an unknown foe. The person she had trusted with her life had been ensnared in this from the start.

"Aaron, how could you do this?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the hurt was clear.

He looked down, the anguish in his eyes reflecting her own. "Cassidy, I had no choice. They would have killed me. Or worse… they would have come after you."

Cassidy's fists clenched tightly. She felt like she wanted to scream, to flee, to fight—but instead, she inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself. "If you truly cared about me, you wouldn't have lied. You wouldn't have pulled me into this."

Aaron's expression hardened. "And if you cared about yourself, you'd walk away now. These people… they don't lose."

She shook her head, her voice quivering. "It's too late for that. I can't walk away—not now. And you of all the people should know that."

The silence hung heavily between them, it was thick and oppressive. Cassidy's heart raced in her chest, her world crumbling around her. Everything felt tainted, every moment with Aaron now tinged with uncertainty. She pivoted sharply, determined not to let him witness the tears that threatened to spill.

As she walked away, Cassidy felt the chilling weight of betrayal seep into her very being. She was alone. She had always been alone—she just hadn't realized it until this moment.

And as she faded into the shadows, she promised herself that she would take down everyone who had wronged her—beginning with the man she had once believed she could trust.