Chapter 51
Shadows in the Dark
The helicopter’s steady hum was the only sound in the cabin, but tension crackled in the air like a live wire. Elena, Naomi, and Richard had escaped—for now.
Jordan’s voice cut through the silence. “We’ve got a problem.”
Naomi’s head snapped up. “Bigger than a drone trying to kill us?”
Jordan didn’t laugh. “Bigger.”
Elena leaned forward. “Talk.”
Jordan hesitated, then sighed. “Vincent activated a contingency plan. I intercepted a transmission—he’s wiping all digital trails and tightening his hold on every resource we could use against him.”
Naomi cursed under her breath. “That means the hard drive is the only proof left.”
Richard wiped a hand over his face. “So we’re back to square one?”
Elena shook her head. “No. We have something he doesn’t.”
Naomi raised an eyebrow. “And that is?”
A slow smile tugged at Elena’s lips. “Time.”
Naomi scoffed. “I hate it when you get cryptic.”
Elena stood and grabbed a tablet from the cabin’s supply box. “Vincent is trying to erase his tracks, which means he’s burning resources. That takes time. If we move fast, we can stay ahead.” She handed the tablet to Naomi. “Find us a meeting point. We need an ally.”
Naomi’s fingers flew across the screen. “I might have someone. But it’s a risk.”
Elena strapped a gun to her thigh. “Everything about this is a risk.”
Richard frowned. “Where are we going?”
Naomi turned the tablet to face them. A blinking dot pulsed on the map. Paris.
Richard’s eyes widened. “We’re leaving the country?”
Elena nodded. “Jordan, how fast can you arrange transport?”
Jordan whistled low. “Smuggling you out after everything that’s happened? That’s going to cost.”
Elena’s voice was firm. “We don’t have a choice.”
Jordan sighed. “Fine. Meet me at the airstrip in twenty minutes.”
Naomi exhaled. “I really hope your ‘ally’ is worth it.”
Elena looked out the window as the city lights blurred beneath them. She hoped so too.
Because if they failed—there would be no second chance.
