Chapter 7 - THE REAL BETRAYAL
Everything changed that night.
Police arrived.
Federal investigators surrounded the property.
Camille was arrested.
Daniel disappeared before they could question him.
Marcus stayed.
He didn't ask for forgiveness.
He didn't make excuses.
He simply sat beside me.
“I should have told you.”
“Yes.”
“I should never have touched those documents.”
“Yes.”
“I should have ended everything the moment I realized what Blackwood wanted.”
I looked at him.
“Why didn't you?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of them?”
“No.”
He looked at me.
“Of losing you.”
I said nothing.
Then Evelyn entered.
“We found your father.”
I stood.
“Where?”
“He's at the old family warehouse.”
We drove there before dawn.
The building had been abandoned for years.
Inside, a single light was on.
My father stepped out of the shadows.
Older.
Thinner.
But alive.
I ran toward him.
He held me.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then I hit his chest.
“You let me mourn you.”
“I know.”
“You let me believe I had no one.”
“I know.”
“You watched me marry him.”
My father looked toward Marcus.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Blackwood was getting closer.”
He pulled a small envelope from his coat.
“This contains the names of everyone involved.”
I opened it.
My hands stopped.
At the bottom of the list was a name I recognized.
MARCUS REED.
I looked at him.
He went pale.
“That isn't what you think.”
My father stared at him.
“You were compromised.”
Marcus swallowed.
“I know.”
“What does that mean?” I demanded.
Marcus looked at me.
“I wasn't working for Blackwood.”
“Then why is your name there?”
“Because they believed I was.”
My father nodded.
“He was their target.”
I frowned.
“They tried to recruit him.”
Marcus whispered:
“And I pretended to accept.”
My father continued.
“He became a double agent.”
I stared at Marcus.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because the moment you knew, you became a liability.”
I shook my head.
“You made me feel like I was crazy.”
“I know.”
“And now you expect me to forgive you?”
“No.”
Marcus looked down.
“I only want you to know the truth.”
My father placed a hand on my shoulder.
“That's all any of us can give you now.”
Then the warehouse doors slammed shut.
Someone had locked us inside.
May you like
A voice echoed through the darkness.
“Then let's finish this.”
