The Commander Sold Out My Elite Squad—But I Uncovered His Darkest Secret

A Father's Desperate Bargain

The tension on the runway was thick enough to choke on. Jessica kept her weapon trained on Thomas, refusing to let her guard down despite the raw emotion radiating from the older man. Rain began to pour in earnest, drumming against the metal skin of the nearby helicopter.

"They have Sarah, Jessica," Thomas whispered, his voice cracking as he stayed on the wet ground. "The defense contractor, Apex Group. They intercepted my investigation into their black-market arms deals. They took my daughter."

Jessica’s breath hitched. Sarah was like a little sister to her. The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, but the pain of her fallen squadmates still burned hot. "So you traded my team's lives for hers?" she demanded, her voice shaking.

"They gave me no choice!" Thomas cried out. "They said if I didn't leak your coordinates, they would kill her. I tried to warn you, but the comms were jammed. I am so sorry, Jessica. But you have to leave now. They are coming to clean up the evidence."

Before Jessica could process his words, the sharp glare of high-beams cut through the gloom. A black SUV tore onto the tarmac, screeching to a halt just fifty yards away. Three men in tactical gear, carrying unmarked automatic rifles, spilled out. They weren't wearing military insignias; they were Apex corporate mercenaries, and they weren't here to negotiate.

"Drop your weapons!" the lead mercenary shouted over the roar of the wind. "No witnesses!"

Thomas scrambled to his feet, throwing himself in front of Jessica. In that desperate second, the mercenaries opened fire. Sparks flew off the tarmac as bullets chewed through the concrete. Jessica dragged Thomas behind the heavy steel landing gear of the idling helicopter, the metal ringing with the impact of incoming rounds. They were pinned down, outgunned, and running out of time.