68.Splintered Trust

The silence after Rico's announcement stretched thin, an unspoken acknowledgment of how deep the cracks in our foundation had grown. Suspicion hung over us like a storm cloud, and I could feel the weight of every glance, every murmur. If we didn't resolve this soon, it wouldn't be the enemy outside our gates that would destroy us—it would be the enemy within.

A Fractured Alliance

The morning light bled through the safe house's cracked blinds as I gathered the team for a debrief. Rico stood at my side, his posture stiff and defensive. The rest of the crew sat scattered around the room, each one a picture of tension and unease.

"I want everyone to understand something," I began, my voice sharp enough to cut the air. "This isn't about trust—or the lack of it. It's about survival. Someone in this organization has been feeding information to the enemy. Until we find out who, no one is above scrutiny."

Axel, the youngest member of our crew, shifted uncomfortably. "So, what? We're just supposed to start pointing fingers at each other?"

"No," I said firmly, meeting his gaze. "We investigate. Every communication, every connection. We leave no stone unturned."

"And what about Lucia?" asked Marco, his tone cautious. "You really think she did it?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "But until we find out the truth, she stays under watch."

The room erupted into hushed whispers, the team clearly divided.

"We're wasting time," Rico growled, slamming his fist against the table. "Every minute we spend arguing, the real traitor gets closer to burying us."

His words silenced the dissent, but the unease lingered.

An Unexpected Visitor

The debrief was interrupted by the sound of tires screeching outside the safe house. Rico and I exchanged a glance before grabbing our weapons and heading to the entrance.

Through the peephole, I saw a familiar figure stepping out of a sleek black car. It was Caleb, his movements deliberate and calm despite the danger he'd courted by showing up here unannounced.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Rico muttered, his hand tightening around his gun.

I opened the door, leveling my weapon at him. "You've got five seconds to explain why I shouldn't kill you where you stand."

Caleb raised his hands, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Relax, Adriana. I'm here to help."

"Help?" I repeated, incredulous. "After everything you've done?"

He nodded, stepping closer despite Rico's warning growl. "You need me. I know things you don't. About Voss's remnants. About the mole in your crew."

"Start talking," I ordered, my gun never wavering.

A Grim Revelation

Inside, Caleb sat at the same table where the accusations had flown just hours earlier. The rest of the team gathered around, their mistrust for him evident in every glare.

"You've been infiltrated," Caleb began, his tone matter-of-fact. "And it's worse than you think. The person leaking information isn't just anyone. They're deeply embedded in your operations. Someone you trust implicitly."

"We already know that," Rico snapped. "Tell us something useful."

Caleb's smirk faded. "The mole isn't just working for money or out of fear. They believe in the enemy's cause. And they're not alone. There's a network, and it's growing. If you don't root it out, your entire organization will collapse from the inside."

The weight of his words settled heavily on the room.

"How do you know all this?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"Because I was part of it," he admitted, his voice calm despite the bombshell he'd just dropped.

The Team Fractures Further

The room erupted in chaos, voices overlapping as accusations flew. Rico stepped forward, shoving Caleb against the wall.

"You've got a lot of nerve," Rico hissed. "Coming here and admitting that like it's nothing."

"I left," Caleb said evenly. "Because I realized what they're planning. And because, for all your flaws, Adriana, you're still the best chance this city has."

"Why should we believe you?" I asked, my voice cutting through the noise.

"Because you don't have a choice," Caleb replied. "You want proof? Fine. There's a safe house on the east side of the city. That's where the network is coordinating their next move. Hit it tonight, and you'll find everything you need."

I studied him, weighing his words. He had lied before, betrayed us before. But there was something different now—a desperation that felt genuine.

A Dangerous Gamble

That night, the team prepared for the raid. Tensions were at an all-time high, with trust in short supply. Rico was firmly against relying on Caleb's intel, but I had made the call.

"If this is a trap—" Rico began as we loaded into the van.

"It won't be," I interrupted, though the confidence in my voice felt hollow.

The drive to the east side was silent, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. When we arrived, the safe house looked unassuming—just another abandoned building in a city full of them.

"Move quietly," I ordered, signaling for the team to spread out.

Inside, the place was empty—at first glance. But as we swept the rooms, we found what Caleb had promised: maps, dossiers, and communication logs detailing the network's operations.

And in the center of it all was a list of names.

A Name That Shakes the Foundation

As I scanned the list, one name jumped out at me, and my blood ran cold.

Lucia wasn't the only familiar name. Rico's was there too.

I stared at the paper, my mind racing. Was this another ploy? A misdirection? Or had I been blind to the truth all along?

"What did you find?" Rico asked, stepping into the room.

I folded the paper quickly, hiding it from view. "Evidence," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

His eyes narrowed, but he didn't press further.

The Struggle Within

Back at the safe house, I locked myself in my room, the list clutched tightly in my hand. Doubts gnawed at me, each one louder than the last.

If I confronted Rico, I risked alienating one of my most loyal allies—or uncovering a betrayal I wasn't sure I could handle.

And if I said nothing, the mole would remain hidden, free to continue dismantling everything I'd fought for.

As I stared at the list, one thing became clear: the fight for this city wasn't just a battle against external enemies. It was a battle against the lies and deceptions within our own ranks.

And I wasn't sure we'd survive it.