Betrayal

Chapter 3

Liam's fingers tightened on the pistol, his mind racing. His heart thudded in his chest, but he forced himself to stay calm. Slowly, deliberately, he let the gun slip from his grip and clatter to the ground.

"Smart move," the guard sneered, the barrel of his weapon digging harder into the back of Liam's head. "Now—"

Before he could finish, Liam spun around with lightning speed, his combat knife flashing in the dim light. In one fluid motion, he slashed across the guard's throat. Blood spurted out, the man's eyes going wide with shock as he collapsed, gurgling, onto the floor.

Liam barely had time to catch his breath when the deafening crack of a gunshot echoed through the hallway. A fiery pain erupted in his leg, and he stumbled, crashing against the wall for support. He gritted his teeth, biting back a scream as his vision blurred momentarily from the pain.

"Well, well, well," a cold, mocking voice drawled from the other end of the hallway. Liam's eyes snapped up, locking onto the source. Victor Caruso stood there, a cigarette smoldering in one hand and a gun in the other. A smirk twisted his lips as he exhaled a cloud of smoke. Behind him stood dozens of armed guards, their weapons trained on Liam.

"Nice try, Cater," Victor said, his voice dripping with disdain. "But this little game is over."

Liam's mind reeled. How? How did they miscount so badly? The plan had been solid, airtight. Chris had scouted the security feeds, confirming only five guards inside. Where had the rest come from? This wasn't just a setback—it was a slaughter waiting to happen.

His lips curled into a defiant smirk, hiding the storm of panic brewing inside him. His hand moved to the grenade tucked in his gear, fingers wrapping tightly around it.

Victor's eyes narrowed as he noticed the movement. His smirk faltered for a split second before he raised his gun and fired again. The bullet tore through Liam's shoulder, spinning him to the ground. Pain exploded through his body, but he refused to let go of the grenade.

"Put that down," Victor ordered, his tone sharp and commanding. "Or both you and your friends won't make it out alive."

Liam froze, weighing his options. His breaths came in short, ragged gasps as blood seeped from his wounds, pooling beneath him. He glanced at Victor, his mind racing. If he let the grenade go, it would take everyone in the hallway with it—including David and Chris, who were undoubtedly somewhere nearby. But if he didn't, Victor would kill them all anyway. That much he knew for certain.

Victor's voice cut through his thoughts. "Bring them in."

Liam's blood ran cold as two guards dragged in David and Chris, both bloodied and bound. David's face was swollen from a brutal beating, while Chris struggled weakly against his captors, his glasses cracked and barely clinging to his face.

"Tristan," Victor called, and Liam's stomach dropped as Tristan strolled into view, leading more guards.

Liam's eyes widened in disbelief. "No," he whispered, shaking his head. "No, this can't—"

"Oh, but it is," Victor interrupted, a sadistic grin spreading across his face. "Your little friend here put on quite the convincing act, didn't he? Saved my life by feeding me every detail of your pathetic plan."

Tristan stepped forward, his expression smug and unrepentant. Liam's heart sank as the realization hit him like a freight train. All those months of planning, all the late nights strategizing with Tristan by his side—it had all been a lie.

"You bastard," Liam growled, his voice thick with fury. His grip on the grenade tightened, but before he could act, Tristan let out a cold laugh.

"You didn't really think I was on your side, did you?" Tristan sneered. "Come on, Cater. You're smarter than that."

Liam's rage boiled over. With a snarl, he pulled the pin on the grenade and hurled it toward the center of the hallway.

Chaos erupted. Guards scrambled, shouting and diving for cover. David and Chris flinched, ducking low to avoid the blast. But Victor and Tristan stood eerily still, their expressions calm.

Several seconds passed. No explosion.

Liam stared at the grenade, lying harmlessly on the floor. His chest heaved as confusion and dread seeped in. What was happening? Why didn't it work?

Victor's mocking laughter broke the silence. "That's not a real grenade, you fool," he said, shaking his head in amusement. He placed a hand on Tristan's shoulder, pulling him closer. "It's all thanks to my son here for saving my life."

Liam's breath caught. "Son?" he choked out, disbelief clouding his thoughts. His wounds throbbed, but the betrayal cut deeper than any bullet could.

Victor's grin widened. "He must have put on quite the show to fool you. Good job, Author." He patted Tristan's shoulder, pride gleaming in his eyes.

Liam's fists clenched, his entire body trembling with rage. Months of trust, shattered in an instant. He locked eyes with Tristan, searching for any sign of regret, any hint of humanity. But all he saw was a cold, calculated smirk.

"You... bastard," Liam spat, his voice raw with fury. He lunged forward, dagger in hand, aiming straight for Victor's throat.

Another gunshot rang out, slamming into Liam's side. He collapsed to his knees, pain searing through his body. Blood dripped onto the marble floor as his vision dimmed, but he refused to let the agony consume him.

Victor approached slowly, his cigarette burning down to the filter. "Don't shoot any vital points," he ordered his men. "I need his organs intact."

Liam's head snapped up, his eyes blazing with defiance. Even as his body betrayed him, his spirit refused to break.

Victor crouched down, bringing his face close to Liam's. "I warned you," he hissed, pressing the glowing cigarette against Liam's neck. The scent of burning flesh filled the air as Liam gritted his teeth, refusing to give Victor the satisfaction of a scream.

"You walked into your own death," Victor continued, his voice low and venomous. "Now, both you and your friends will pay the price for your foolishness."

Liam's hand twitched, reaching for the dagger still strapped to his side. But another shot rang out, this time hitting his right arm. The blade slipped from his fingers, clattering uselessly to the floor.

Victor's smirk returned. With a swift motion, he struck the back of Liam's neck, sending him spiraling into darkness.