Do You Trust Him

The team's exhaustion hung heavy in the air as they gathered around the large table at the safehouse. Maps, blueprints, and Victor's decrypted data were spread out in front of them. Everyone was nursing bruises, cuts, or sheer fatigue. But Alexander's intensity remained unwavering, his eyes scanning the documents for any lead.

Mia sat quietly in a chair by the window, sipping tea while cradling her belly. She watched Alexander with concern. His relentless pursuit of Marco had taken its toll on him.

"You need to rest," Mia said softly, her voice cutting through the tense silence.

Alexander didn't look up. "We can't rest, Mia. Marco's always one step ahead. We need to figure out his next move before it's too late."

Victor leaned back in his chair, his fingers flying across the keyboard. "I've gone through some of the files we recovered. Marco's focus on 'Paragon' is clear, but he's also diverting resources to another operation—a facility in the mountains. He's guarding it heavily, which means it's important."

Jack frowned, tapping a spot on the map. "If he's hiding something there, we need to hit it fast before he has a chance to move."

"I agree," Natalia added, her tone sharp. "But we're stretched thin. If this facility is as fortified as it seems, we need more than just brute force. We need intel—someone who knows Marco's playbook."

Before anyone could respond, the safehouse alarm blared. Everyone grabbed their weapons, moving swiftly into defensive positions. Alexander shielded Mia, his weapon aimed at the front door.

"Whoever it is, they're bold to come here," Natalia muttered, her grip tightening on her pistol.

The door swung open, and a lone figure stepped inside. He held his hands up in a gesture of peace, his expression calm yet guarded.

"Relax," the man said, his voice deep and measured. "I'm not here to fight."

Alexander stepped forward, his gun still raised. "Who are you, and how did you find us?"

The man's eyes met Alexander's with quiet confidence. "My name is Elias Grayson. I used to work for Marco. And if you want to stop him, you'll need my help."

An Unexpected Turn

Elias's presence sent ripples of tension through the room. Natalia and Jack kept their weapons trained on him while Victor searched for any signs of deceit in his story.

Alexander's eyes narrowed. "Why should we believe you? Marco doesn't trust easily, and if you worked for him, you're as dangerous as he is."

Elias nodded, acknowledging the skepticism. "Fair point. But I didn't come here to convince you with words. I brought proof."

He slowly reached into his jacket, pulling out a small device. Victor snatched it from him, plugging it into his laptop. Within seconds, files appeared on the screen—blueprints, codes, and logs detailing Marco's operations.

Victor's mouth fell open. "This… this is everything. It's a roadmap to his entire network."

Elias crossed his arms. "I spent years building trust with Marco, but I've seen what he's capable of. He doesn't just want power—he wants to play god. And I refuse to be a part of it anymore."

Mia, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "If you worked so closely with Marco, you must know about 'Paragon.' What is it?"

Elias hesitated, his gaze shifting to her. "Paragon isn't just a project—it's Marco's obsession. It's about creating a new generation of humanity, one he can control. And you, Mia… you're at the center of it."

Her breath hitched. "Why me? What does he want from me?"

Elias sighed. "It's not just you. It's your family, your lineage. Marco believes your genetic profile holds the key to unlocking his vision of perfection. And now that you're carrying Alexander's child…"

Alexander's fist slammed onto the table. "That's enough. If you're lying or trying to manipulate us—"

"I'm not," Elias interrupted firmly. "Marco will stop at nothing to get what he wants. And if you don't move fast, he'll succeed.

A Plan in Motion

The team spent hours interrogating Elias and cross-referencing his intel with Victor's findings. Everything he provided checked out. The facility in the mountains wasn't just another lab—it was the heart of 'Paragon.'

"We'll need to move in with everything we've got," Natalia said, studying the blueprints. "This won't be a simple infiltration. Marco's got layers of security, and if Elias is right, he's already preparing for us."

Elias stepped forward. "I can get you inside. I know the codes, the patrol schedules, the weak points. But you'll need to trust me."

Alexander met his gaze, his expression unreadable. "Trust is earned. You're coming with us, but one wrong move and you won't live to regret it."

Elias nodded. "Fair enough."

A Quiet Moment

Later that evening, Alexander found Mia sitting by the fireplace, her hands resting on her belly. She looked up as he approached, her eyes reflecting a mix of fear and determination.

"Do you trust him?" she asked.

"I don't know," Alexander admitted, sitting beside her. "But right now, he's our best chance at stopping Marco."

Mia leaned against him, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm scared, Alexander. For us, for our baby. What if Marco's right? What if we can't stop him?"

Alexander wrapped an arm around her, his strength grounding her. "We'll stop him. I don't care how long it takes or what it costs. I won't let him hurt you—or our family."

Mia closed her eyes, drawing comfort from his presence. Despite the uncertainty, she knew they would face whatever came next together.

As the fire crackled, Alexander's mind raced with plans and contingencies. The battle ahead would be their most dangerous yet, but failure wasn't an option.