Marco is Coming for me

Mia's breath caught in her throat.

The man standing before her was older than she remembered, his once-dark hair streaked with silver, his face lined with years of hardship. But there was no mistaking it—this was her father.

"Dad…" Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

Alexander stepped protectively in front of her, his body tense, his hand hovering near his weapon. "How do we know this isn't a trap?"

Her father—Richard Davenport—sighed. "It doesn't matter if you believe me or not. You're already in the middle of something you don't understand."

Mia took a step forward, her heart pounding. "Then help us understand. What is Project Paragon? Why did Marco mention me? Why has he been watching me for years?"

Richard's gaze softened as he looked at his daughter. "Because, Mia… you're the key to everything."

Silence fell over the room, heavy and suffocating.

Victor glanced nervously at Alexander, then back at Richard. "What do you mean?"

Richard exhaled slowly, as if the weight of the truth was too much to bear. "Paragon was never about Alexander. It was about you, Mia. Marco knew that from the beginning."

Mia's knees felt weak, and Alexander reached for her hand, steadying her.

Richard continued, his voice thick with regret. "Years ago, when you were born, I was part of a highly classified genetic research project. It was meant to enhance human potential—intelligence, resilience, strength. But what we didn't realize at the time was that the real breakthrough wasn't in engineering someone new—it was in something that already existed. A rare genetic anomaly. And, Mia… you have it."

Mia felt like the floor was collapsing beneath her. "What are you saying?"

Richard stepped closer, his eyes filled with a father's sorrow. "Marco has been hunting you, not because of who you are, but because of what's inside you. You're the last piece of a puzzle he's been trying to complete for years."

Alexander's grip on Mia's hand tightened. His mind was already racing ahead, connecting the dots. If Marco wanted Mia, it wasn't just revenge—it was something far more dangerous.

Victor frowned. "If that's true, then why did you disappear? Why not protect your daughter?"

Richard's face twisted with pain. "Because I thought I was protecting her by staying away. Marco's been watching me for years. If I had gone to Mia, she would have been in even greater danger. I made a deal to keep her off his radar for as long as possible. But now… now that you're here, it means the deal is broken."

Mia's stomach turned. "And that means Marco is coming for me."

A sharp beeping sound filled the room. Victor glanced at his tablet, his expression darkening. "We've got movement outside. Multiple hostiles."

Alexander didn't hesitate. He pulled Mia behind him and drew his weapon. "Then we finish this. Here and now."

Richard looked at his daughter one last time. "No, you run. Marco isn't just after you anymore. He's after what you can become."

Mia's heart pounded as the sounds of approaching footsteps echoed down the hall. There was no time for questions. No time for hesitation.

Marco was here.

And the real fight was just beginning.