Part 6
As the plane flew on, Sophia finally felt a sense of peace wash over her. They'd made it out alive, and Reginald's men were far behind.
But as she looked over at Alexander, she saw a hint of tension in his jaw. He was still on high alert, still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"Hey," Sophia said, her voice soft. "We made it. We're safe."
Alexander's eyes met hers, his gaze searching. "Not yet," he said. "We need to get to a safe house, lay low for a while."
Sophia nodded, her mind racing. She knew he was right. Reginald wouldn't give up easily.
As the plane began its descent, Sophia saw a small island below them. Palm trees swayed in the breeze, and a tiny beach glowed golden in the sunlight.
"Where are we?" Sophia asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Somewhere safe," Alexander said, his smile hinting at secrets. "A friend's place. We'll be okay here."
The plane landed with a gentle thud, and Sophia felt a sense of relief wash over her. They were finally safe.
But as they stepped off the plane, Sophia saw something that made her heart skip a beat. A figure waiting for them, a figure she knew all too well...
The figure stepped forward, a smile spreading across his face. Sophia's heart sank, her mind racing.
"Marcus?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Alexander's eyes narrowed, his hand instinctively reaching for Sophia's.
"Marcus, what are you doing here?" Alexander demanded, his voice low and even.
Marcus chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I could ask you the same thing, Alexander," he said. "But I think we both know the answer."
Sophia's mind reeled, her thoughts racing. What was Marcus doing here? Was he working with Reginald?
"Marcus, please," Sophia said, her voice shaking. "Tell me what's going on."
Marcus's smile faltered, his eyes flicking to Sophia's. For a moment, Sophia saw a glimmer of the old Marcus, the one she thought she knew.
"I'm sorry, Sophia," Marcus said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was in deep, and I didn't know how to get out."
Alexander's grip on Sophia's hand tightened. "What do you mean?" he growled.
Marcus took a deep breath, his eyes locked on Sophia's. "I was working with Reginald," he said. "But I realized too late what he was planning. I tried to get out, but...but it was too late."
Sophia felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Marcus, working with Reginald? It couldn't be true...
Sophia's mind reeled, her thoughts racing. Marcus, working with Reginald? It couldn't be true. But the look in his eyes, the desperation, the fear...it all added up.
"Why?" Sophia demanded, her voice shaking. "Why would you do that, Marcus?"
Marcus took a step back, his eyes darting between Sophia and Alexander. "I was in debt," he said. "Deep in debt. And Reginald offered me a way out."
Alexander's grip on Sophia's hand tightened. "What kind of debt?" he growled.
Marcus hesitated, his eyes dropping. "The kind that gets you killed if you don't pay up," he said. "I was in with some bad people, Sophia. And Reginald...he offered me a way out."
Sophia felt a wave of nausea wash over her. Marcus, involved with bad people? It didn't seem possible.
"But why work with Reginald?" Sophia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Marcus's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense. "Because I thought I could control him," he said. "I thought I could use him to get out of my situation."
Alexander snorted. "You thought you could control Reginald?" he repeated. "You're either very brave or very stupid."
Marcus's face twisted, his eyes flashing with anger. "I was desperate," he said. "And I made a mistake."
The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken accusations.
"What do you want from us?" Sophia asked, her voice firm.
Marcus took a deep breath, his eyes locked onto hers. "I want your help," he said. "I want to take down Reginald."
Sophia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. Could she trust Marcus? Or was this just another one of his lies?
Sophia's eyes locked onto Marcus's, her mind racing with questions. Could she trust him? Or was this just another one of his lies?
"What makes you think we'd help you?" Alexander asked, his voice low and even.
Marcus's eyes darted between Sophia and Alexander. "Because I know something," he said. "Something big. And I'm willing to share it with you."
Sophia's curiosity was piqued. What could Marcus possibly know that would make them want to help him?
"What is it?" Sophia asked, her voice firm.
Marcus hesitated, his eyes dropping. "I know where Reginald's hiding," he said. "And I know how to take him down."
Alexander's eyes narrowed. "Why should we trust you?" he repeated.
Marcus's face twisted, his eyes flashing with desperation. "Because I have proof," he said. "Proof that Reginald's been working with someone on the inside. Someone who's been feeding him information."
Sophia's heart skipped a beat. Someone on the inside? Who could it be?
"Who is it?" Sophia demanded.
Marcus hesitated, his eyes darting around nervously. "I'll tell you," he said. "But you have to promise to protect me."
Alexander's grip on Sophia's hand tightened. "We can't promise you anything," he said. "But we'll listen to what you have to say."
Marcus took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto Sophia's. "It's someone close to you," he said. "Someone you trust."
Sophia's mind reeled, her thoughts racing. Who could it be? Who was working with Reginald?
And then, it hit her. A name. A face. A person she had trusted...
Sophia's eyes widened, her mind racing with the implications. "Who is it?" she demanded, her voice shaking.
Marcus hesitated, his eyes darting around nervously. "It's...it's Rachel," he said finally.
Sophia felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Rachel? Her best friend? Working with Reginald?
"No," Sophia whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "That's not possible."
Alexander's grip on her hand tightened. "Tell us more," he growled.
Marcus nodded, his eyes locked onto Sophia's. "I saw them together," he said. "Rachel and Reginald. They were meeting in secret, discussing something."
Sophia's mind reeled, her thoughts racing. This couldn't be true. Rachel would never betray her like this.
But as she thought back, she remembered the strange occurrences. Rachel's sudden interest in Sophia's business, her constant questions...
It all added up.
Sophia felt a wave of anger wash over her. She was going to confront Rachel, find out the truth.
"Let's go," Sophia said, her voice firm.
Alexander nodded, his eyes locked onto hers. "We'll get to the bottom of this," he said.
Together, they turned to Marcus. "You're coming with us," Alexander said.
Marcus nodded, his eyes filled with fear. "I'll do whatever it takes," he said. "Just protect me."
Sophia's eyes narrowed. She wasn't sure if she could trust Marcus, but she knew one thing - she was going to find out the truth...
Sophia, Alexander, and Marcus arrived at Rachel's office, their hearts racing with anticipation. Sophia's mind was filled with questions. Was Rachel really working with Reginald? And why?
As they entered the office, Rachel looked up, a smile on her face. But when she saw Marcus, her expression faltered.
"Marcus?" Rachel said, her voice trembling. "What are you doing here?"
Sophia stepped forward, her eyes locked onto Rachel's. "We know everything," Sophia said. "We know you've been working with Reginald."
Rachel's face went white, her eyes darting around the room. "I...I can explain," she stammered.
Alexander's eyes narrowed. "Try," he said.
Rachel took a deep breath, her voice shaking. "I was in a tight spot," she said. "I owed Reginald money, and I couldn't pay him back. So I made a deal with him."
Sophia's eyes filled with tears. "A deal?" she repeated. "What kind of deal?"
Rachel's face twisted, her eyes filled with regret. "I gave him information," she said. "Information about your business, Sophia. I'm so sorry."
Sophia felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Her best friend, betraying her like this...
But as she looked at Rachel, she saw something else. Fear. Desperation.
"Why?" Sophia asked, her voice shaking. "Why did you do it?"
Rachel's eyes locked onto hers, tears stre
aming down her face. "I was scared," she said. "I didn't know what else to do."
Sophia's heart broke, her mind racing. She didn't know what to do either...