Beneath the Veil of Deceit

Part 10 : Blood and Betrayal

The rain poured relentlessly outside, a constant reminder of the storm brewing inside the safe house.
As Kimberly cleaned Rachel's wound, the tension between the three of them became unbearable.

Every word, every glance was laced with mistrust and unspoken accusations.

Michael's phone buzzed, and he glanced down at the screen, his face hardening.

"We don't have much time," he said, his voice low.

"They're already closing in."
Kimberly looked up sharply.

"Who?"
Michael clenched his jaw, his eyes never leaving the screen.

"The syndicate. Rachel's right, they're coming for us. And they'll stop at nothing to get what they want."

Rachel grimaced as Kimberly tightened the bandage around her side.

"We can't stay here. We need to move."

Kimberly's heart sank. Moving with Rose in tow was going to be risky.
They had no idea how many people were after them, or how far they would go to capture Michael and Rose.

But there was no other option.

"Where can we go?"

Kimberly asked, her voice shaking despite her best efforts to stay calm.

Michael's face was unreadable, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"There's a private airstrip about twenty miles from here. I have a jet ready.

We'll fly out, disappear until we can figure out our next move."
Kimberly nodded, though her mind was still reeling.

Could they really trust Rachel now, after everything? And what about the agency? She hadn't heard from them since everything had gone south, were they still hunting her, too?

Michael's phone buzzed again, and this time, his expression darkened even further.

"We need to leave. Now."

Rachel winced as she stood, clutching her side as blood seeped through the bandage.
"I'll manage," she said before Michael could protest.

Kimberly looked down at Rose, who was trembling, her big eyes filled with fear.
She crouched down, brushing her hand through Rose's hair.

"Stay close to me, okay? Don't let go of my hand."

Rose nodded, but her lip trembled. "I'm scared, Mom."

Kimberly forced a smile, her own fear clawing at her insides.
" I know, sweetheart. But I'm here. We're going to be okay."

As the group hurried toward the door, Michael stopped, turning to Rachel.
"If you try anything..."

Rachel raised an eyebrow.
"Do you really think I'm in any condition to double-cross you right now?"

Michael didn't respond, just gave her a cold stare before leading them outside.
The rain battered them as they made their way to the car, but Kimberly hardly noticed.

Her thoughts were on Rose, on the looming danger, on the storm that was closing in around them.

They piled into the black SUV, Michael behind the wheel, his focus razor sharp as he navigated the winding roads toward the airstrip. Kimberly sat in the back, clutching Rose tightly, her heart pounding with every passing mile.

But as they neared the airstrip, something felt off. Michael slowed the car, his eyes scanning the horizon.

"Something's wrong," he muttered.

Kimberly's stomach twisted. "What do you mean?"

Michael didn't answer. Instead, he stopped the car at the edge of the airstrip, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a dark silhouette by the jet.

Kimberly strained her eyes, trying to make out the figure through the rain.

It was Matthew.
Alive. And waiting for them.

Rachel gasped, her face turning pale.

"He's supposed to be dead..."

Michael's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his voice low and dangerous.

"Apparently, we're not the only ones with a few lives left to spare."

Kimberly's blood ran cold. Matthew was alive. And he had planned this all along.

This was no longer just a battle for survival. It was a deadly game of revenge, and they were the pawns.