Chapter 14:The price of Betrayal...

The room was too quiet, Thompson's men blocked every exit. Three against two. No - three against one.

Because Carter had already made his choice.

I felt sick.

I gripped the ledger,my heart pounding as Thompson strolled towards me, his boots clicking against the stone floor. His smirk was confident. He thought he had already won.

"You made this harder than it needed to be," he said smoothly. "Running. Hiding. But in the end, you always come back to me."

I swallowed my rage. "I didn't come to you."

His smirk deepened. "Semantics"

I felt Lillian tense beside me. She hadn't spoken, but I knew she was waiting for something, anything. A chance.

I glanced at Carter. He still wouldn't meet my eyes.

A storm of emotions swirling in my chest. Anger. Confusion. Hurt.

I had trusted him. And yet,he stood there silent,as if this was inevitable.

Thompson held out his hand. "The ledger, Everly."

I hesitated.

His gaze darkened. "Or do I need to kill someone first?"

He reached for his gun.

"No!" I took a step forward,my breath shaky.

His hand paused at his holster. He was playing with me.

Enjoying my fear.

I forced my voice to steady. "You want this?" I held the ledger up. "Then tell me why."

Thompson tilted his head. "Why"

"You already own everything in this city. You've bribed the court, bought the law, silenced anyone who stood in your way" I took a slow breath. "So what's in this book that makes you so afraid.

For a moment,he said nothing .

Then - he chuckled ."Afraid ?" He stepped closer. "You think I fear what's inside?"

I didn't blink ."yes".

His smirk faded.

And I knew I was right.

This ledger - it wasn't just evidence. It was a weapon.

A weapon that could destroy him. Thompson sighed, shaking his head.

" You always were clever, Everly. It's a shame you don't know when to stop".

His eyes flicked to Carter." Take it from her".

My stomach twisted.

Carter stiffened he finally looked at me, but I couldn't read his expression.

My throat went dry. " Carter ".

He didn't move.

Thompson's voice sharpened. "Now!"

Carter exhaled - then stepped toward me.

Lillian grabbed my arm."Don't".

I took a step back .my heart was breaking.

" I don't want to hurt you, Everly" Carter said quietly.

I swallowed hard. "Then don't".

His jaw tightened.

" Please," I whispered. "Tell me this isn't real ."

But he said nothing.

That was answer enough.

I clutched the ledger, fingers shaking. If I let it go now, everything.

-**Daniel's sacrifice, the truth ,our escape -**would be meaningless.

I made my choice.

I ran.

I spun toward the nearest stack of barrels, dodging left - Carter lunged after me, catching my arm.

" Let go !"I kicked hard, knocking him off balance.

He stumbled back,I bolted.

But before I reached the door - a shot rang out.

Wood shattered inches from my hand.

I stopped cold.

Thompson stood with his gun raised, his expression was calm almost bored.

"Enough games."

I gritted my teeth.

Behind me, Lillian was pale with fear. Carter was still standing where I'd shoved him, his face unreadable.

I had nowhere left to go. Thompson stepped forward, closing the distance."you don't understand do you?"

I glared at him"This isn't about fear,"he murmured. "It's about power."

I felt the cold press of his gun beneath my chin.

My breath caught.

He leaned in, his voice a whisper."And you? you have none."

I could feel the barrel against my skin.The weight of it . The finality. But I refused to close my eyes.

If I was going to die, I'd face him.

Lillian let out a strangled sound.

"Stop"

Thompson ignore her."The ledger."

I stared at him.

And then-l made the most reckless choice of my life.

I smiled.

Thompson's eyes flickered with irritation."what-"

"I sent a copy,"I lied.

His grip tightened on the gun."You're bluffing."

I shrugged."am I?"

His smirked faltered.

Because he couldn't know for sure.

I pressed the advantage."kill me and that ledger still finds its way into the right hands.Every secret,every name,every bribe."I filled my chin up. "You'll lose everything."

He stared at me. Calculating.

Then - he laughed.

A slow, dark chuckle.

"You're bold Everly,"he admitted."I'll give you that."

His gun lowered slightly. But his eyes turned cold.

"And very very stupid."

He snapped his fingers.One of his men grabbed Lillian.

She screamed.

I whirled around."No!" Thompson smirk returned."you say you've already sent the ledger?"

He gestured toward her."Then prove it."

Lillian struggled, but the man's grip was iron.

I couldn't breathe.

I turned back to Thompson.He had me.

I could hold onto my lie-but at what cost?

I felt Lillian's wide, terrified eyes on me.

I felt Carter's silence

And I knew.

I had to choose.

Save ledger

Or save my best friend.

My fingers trembled.

Thompson signed."five seconds."

I choked back a sob.

Five.

I gripped the book.

Four.

Lillian whimpered.

Three

Carter looked away.

Two.

I closed my eyes.

And I let go,the ledger slipped from my fingers Thompson caught it.

He grinned."smart girl."

I felt numb.

The weight of my failure crushed me.

But Lillian-she was alive.

That had to be enough

Didn't it?