Victor's mind raced as he studied Anita. She had lied to him, hidden her dealings with Joseph's men but if she was telling the truth, she had done it to protect him.
The betrayal still stung, but Victor had bigger battles to fight.
He exhaled slowly. "You should have told me."
Anita's shoulders sagged in relief. "I wanted to, Victor. But Joseph made it clear, if I stepped out of line, he would come for you first."
Victor nodded, though the tension between them remained. "There's only one way forward."
Anita straightened. "What do you need me to do?"
Victor's jaw clenched. "We use you."
Anita blinked.
"You're already in contact with Joseph's people," Victor continued. "That means you have access. We feed them false information. We set a trap."
Anita hesitated, then nodded. "I'm in."
Victor met her gaze. "This only works if Joseph believes you're still his informant. You'll be walking a thin line, Anita."
A smirk tugged at her lips. "Wouldn't be the first time."
Victor gave a small nod. The trust between them had been shaken, but not broken.
Now, it was time to turn the tables.
---
Anita's first message to Joseph's men had to be perfect, just enough truth to be believable, but with a twist that would lure them into a trap.
She typed carefully:
"Victor is preparing to move sensitive financial records to a secret location. I don't have all the details yet, but he's being extra cautious. Will update soon."
The reply came within minutes.
"Where and when?"
Anita glanced at Victor, who nodded. She continued the game.
"He's planning a late-night transfer. Julius is overseeing it. I'll find out the location soon."
The hook was set.
Now, they needed the perfect place for the ambush.
Julius, ever the tactician, suggested an abandoned government building on the outskirts of town. The place was still wired for security, giving them an advantage.
That night, as the "transfer" was staged, Victor and Julius watched from a nearby surveillance van.
Then, right on schedule, Joseph's men arrived, armed and ready to intercept the fake convoy.
The police moved in.
Gunshots rang out.
Chaos erupted.
And by the end of it, three of Joseph's top enforcers were in custody.
Victor allowed himself a small smile.
The tide was turning.
The victory was short-lived.
Within hours of the arrests, Joseph struck back.
A car bomb exploded outside the county offices, shaking the entire building. The blast shattered windows, sent debris flying, and injured several staff members.
Victor, who had been inside, barely made it out in time.
Julius rushed to his side. "Are you hurt?"
Victor coughed, waving away the dust. "I'm fine. But Joseph just sent a message."
Anita appeared, face pale. "We pushed him too hard."
Victor's fists clenched. "Good."
He turned to Julius. "I want those men we arrested interrogated immediately. Someone in Joseph's organization is going to talk."
Julius nodded. "I'll handle it."
Anita touched Victor's arm. "Be careful. Joseph isn't just reacting anymore, he's desperate."
Victor met her gaze. "So am I."
Joseph had made his move.
Now, it was Victor's turn.
---