A Dangerous Choice

Inside the Car – 12:50 PM

Judith stared out the window, her mind spinning.

Choose a side.

That's what Thomas had said.

But which side was the right one?

Travis had lied to her. Used her.

But Thomas? He was just as dangerous.

And yet, here she was—in his car, trusting him.

"You're quiet," Thomas observed.

Judith turned to him.

"I'm thinking."

"Good. Think fast."

Thomas's phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen, then slid the phone into his pocket.

"Plans have changed," he said. "We're going somewhere secure."

Judith tensed.

"Where?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he tapped on the tinted window.

The driver made a sharp turn.

Judith exhaled slowly.

She was alone with him. No backup. No escape.

Maybe Brittany had been right.

Maybe trusting Thomas was a mistake.

A Hidden Safe House – 1:30 PM

The vehicle pulled up to a gated estate on the outskirts of the city.

A new house sat at the center of a huge, empty lot.

Judith had no idea where she was.

No signs. No houses nearby.

Only silence.

The driver halted.

Thomas opened the door and stepped out.

Judith held back.

Was this a trick?

Thomas leaned in, his eyes pinned on hers.

"Out," he said. "Before I take you in."

She laughed but stepped out.

The smell of rain surrounded them.

The house was dark, slick, and unreadable—much like Thomas.

He took her in.

The door closed by itself behind them.

Judith spun around.

"So, now what?"

Thomas draped his suit jacket over the back of a chair.

"Okay, we talk."

He waved toward a leather couch.

Judith stood with her arms crossed.

"I'd rather not sit."

Thomas smiled.

"Suit yourself."

He opened a bottle of whiskey on a shelf, poured a glass, and sat down.

"Ask your questions," he said to her.

Judith clenched her fists.

"Start with the contract," she instructed. "Tell me everything."

Thomas sipped his drink.

"Travis wants sole ownership of Sentinel Security," he informed her. "It's a private security firm with government contracts. If he buys the firm, he's got millions of defense assets in his hands."

Judith's stomach twisted into knots.

"And you own it?"

"A controlling interest," Thomas corrected. "My father started it. I inherited it. And now Travis is trying to steal it from me."

Judith creased her brow.

"Why did he not attack you outright?"

"Because Travis does not play fair."

Thomas leaned forward, his dark eyes.

"He plays games. He blackmails. And when that fails—murders."

Judith gasped hard.

"Brittany said he does not let people go."

"He does."

Judith's heartbeat pounded.

"Then why did you let me go that night?"

Thomas looked at her.

For a moment, he was quiet.

Then, he said, "Because I do not play games, Judith, and I do not lie to people I respect."

Something shifted between them.

Judith swallowed hard.

"So, what's next?" she asked.

Thomas put down his glass.

"Now, you decide if you still want to dig."

Judith's mind spun.

If she went, Travis would continue to chase her.

If she stayed, she'd be caught in the middle of a war.

There was no safe option.

But she'd never been a runner.

"I want the truth," she said.

Thomas's lips curled up slightly.

"Good."

Then, his phone rang again.

His expression darkened as he looked at the screen.

And then at Judith.

"We have a problem."

A Call from Brittany – 2:10 PM

Judith could hear Brittany's voice on the phone.

"They found me."

She was out of breath. Afraid.

Thomas gripped the phone more firmly.

"Where are you?"

"Don't matter," Brittany said. "I won't get out."

Judith's heart pounded.

"Brittany—

"Listen to me!" Brittany cut in. "I sent something to your email. It's proof. Everything you need to know."

Her voice shook.

"Use it. Expose him."

Judith's breath was caught.

"Brittany, where—"

There was a shot, then a sudden, loud scream, and then a silence

Judith's blood ran cold.

Thomas slowly hung up the phone.

Neither of them said anything because they both knew the truth.

Brittany was dead.

The Files Brittany Sent – 3:00 PM

Judith's hands trembled as she booted up her laptop.

There was one message from Brittany in her email inbox.

Subject: "Trust No One."

She opened it.

An attachment downloaded—a package of papers. Her eyes swept over the pages, the contacts, the names, and the transactions. It was all worse than she had imagined.

Travis wasn't trying to steal Sentinel Security he was already selling its assets off to foreign governments. To crime syndicates.

Judith's chest tightened.

This wasn't about money, it was treason.

She looked up at Thomas.

"This could kill him," she breathed.

Thomas's jaw hardened.

"It won't be that easy," he said. "Travis has power and connections."

Judith released a sharp breath.

"Then we need a plan."

Thomas regarded her.

"Are you sure you want in?"

Judith nodded.

She had crossed the line, and there was no turning back.

"I want to kill him."

Thomas's mouth twisted into a small smile.

"Then let's begin."