Chapter 11: Shadows in the Night
The house was eerily silent as the clock struck midnight. Rose couldn't sleep. Her mind raced with thoughts of Victor's warning, the man at their doorstep, and the bloodstained phone. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, every creak of the house a harbinger of danger.
She sat on the living room couch, staring at the faint glow of the fireplace. The warmth did little to calm the chill running through her.
Zeke walked in, his hair disheveled and a cup of steaming tea in his hand. "Couldn't sleep?"
Rose shook her head, her gaze still fixed on the fire. "How can I? Every time I close my eyes, I feel like he's out there, waiting to strike."
Zeke sat beside her, placing the tea on the table. "We've come this far, Rose. We can't let fear control us now."
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An Unexpected Visitor
A sharp knock at the door shattered the stillness of the night. Rose's heart leapt into her throat as she and Zeke exchanged worried glances.
"Stay here," Zeke said, standing and moving toward the door.
"No way," Rose whispered fiercely, following close behind. "We face this together."
Zeke hesitated but nodded, his hand reaching for the concealed weapon he kept by the entryway. He opened the door to reveal Theresa, her face pale and eyes darting nervously over her shoulder.
"Theresa?" Rose asked, stepping forward. "What's wrong?"
Theresa pushed past them, closing the door quickly behind her. "He knows. Victor knows about the trap. He's moving faster than we expected."
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The Plan Unravels
Theresa paced the living room, her words spilling out in rapid bursts. "One of my contacts told me Victor intercepted part of the plan. He doesn't know everything, but he's suspicious. He's going to test us, push us to see how much we know."
Rose felt the air leave her lungs. "What does that mean for us? Are we still safe?"
Theresa stopped pacing, her gaze settling on Rose with a grim determination. "Safe? No. But we still have a chance to finish this if we act quickly."
"What do we do?" Zeke asked, his voice steady despite the tension in the room.
Theresa pulled out a USB drive from her pocket. "This. It has everything we need to dismantle his operations. Names, locations, financial records. If we can get this to the authorities without Victor intercepting it, we can end this."
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A Dangerous Gamble
"But how do we deliver it?" Rose asked. "Victor's men are everywhere. If they see us make a move, they'll shut us down before we even start."
Theresa smirked, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "That's where you come in. Victor won't expect you to act so boldly. If we play this right, we can use his arrogance against him."
Zeke frowned. "You're saying we need to put Rose in danger?"
"I'm saying we don't have another choice," Theresa said firmly. "You know how Victor thinks. He underestimates women. He won't see her as a threat."
Rose crossed her arms, a mix of fear and determination surging through her. "If this is what it takes to end this, I'll do it."
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A Tense Farewell
By dawn, the plan was set. Rose would deliver the USB drive to a secure location while Zeke and Theresa created a diversion to draw Victor's attention. It was risky, but it was their best shot.
As Rose prepared to leave, Zeke pulled her aside. "Are you sure about this? We can find another way."
Rose placed a hand on his cheek, her gaze steady. "This is the only way, Zeke. We have to finish this—for Jasper, for us."
He nodded, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Be careful. Promise me you'll come back."
"I promise," Rose whispered, though her heart ached with uncertainty.
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The Drop
Rose drove through the city, the USB drive tucked securely in her jacket. Every car that followed her, every glance from a passerby, felt like a threat.
She reached the drop point—a nondescript coffee shop in the middle of downtown. Inside, a woman in a navy blazer waited, her expression calm but alert.
"You're Rose?" the woman asked as Rose slid into the seat across from her.
Rose nodded, handing over the USB. "This has everything you need. Make sure it gets to the right people."
The woman gave a curt nod, slipping the drive into her bag. "You've done your part. Now let us do ours."
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A Close Call
As Rose exited the coffee shop, her relief was short-lived. A black SUV screeched to a halt in front of her, and two men stepped out, their intentions clear.
"Rose Evans," one of them said, a cruel smile on his lips. "Victor sends his regards."
Rose's heart pounded as she turned to run, but they were faster. Just as they reached her, a car slammed into the curb, its door flying open.
"Get in!" Theresa shouted.
Rose didn't hesitate, diving into the car as Theresa sped off, the SUV hot on their heels.
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The Chase
The city blurred past as Theresa weaved through traffic, her hands gripping the wheel tightly.
"Do they have the drive?" Theresa asked, her eyes flicking to the rearview mirror.
"No," Rose said, her breath coming in gasps. "It's safe."
"Good," Theresa said. "Because if Victor finds out what's on it, we're all dead."
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A Narrow Escape
After what felt like an eternity, Theresa managed to lose their pursuers, ducking into a hidden alleyway. Both women sat in silence for a moment, their breaths heavy.
"That was too close," Rose said finally.
Theresa nodded, her expression grim. "This is just the begin
ning. Victor won't stop until he gets what he wants."
Rose straightened, her resolve hardening. "Then we won't stop either."