Chapter 11: Trust is a Dangerous Game
The morning sun poured through the window, but inside the safehouse, the air was thick with unease.
Aaron stared at his phone, brows furrowed.
"Elara," he said quietly, "I think someone inside our circle is leaking information."
She froze, heart pounding. "Who?"
Dominic didn't look up from his laptop. "I traced an IP address. It's close. Too close."
Elara's eyes narrowed. "We can't afford this. Not now."
The team gathered around the table.
"We have to find the mole," Aaron said, voice steady but firm.
Elara looked at Dominic. "What do you need?"
"Access to everyone's devices. Full scans. No exceptions."
Tension snapped like a wire.
"I trusted all of you," Elara said. "And now I don't know who I can trust."
Hours passed in silence, interrupted only by the hum of computers.
Finally, Dominic's voice broke through.
"I've found it."
Everyone leaned in.
"The leak is coming from… Aaron's burner phone."
Aaron's jaw clenched.
"Elara, I can explain," he said quickly.
Elara's eyes burned. "You better."
Aaron sighed deeply.
"There's a reason I didn't tell you everything about my past. Before I met you, I worked for them. For the Roth family."
Her world tilted.
"You worked for Callan?"
"Yes. But I left. I've been tracking their moves ever since."
"So why the leak?"
Aaron's eyes were haunted. "They found me. They threatened my family. I didn't want to drag you into it."
Elara's voice was icy. "But you did."
Suddenly, the door slammed open.
A shadow slipped inside—gun drawn.
"Drop your weapons!" a voice commanded.
Elara reacted fast, shielding Leo.
The attacker hesitated, eyes darting.
Then a second figure appeared behind him.
Dominic was there, rifle raised.
The assailants fled, but the message was clear.
Elara sat, trembling.
Aaron reached for her hand.
"We'll get through this," he promised.
She looked at him, pain and hope tangled.
"Trust is a dangerous game," she whispered. "But it's the only one we have left."