Chapter 12: The Final Mission Begins
The first explosion destroyed the remaining windows.
Glass scattered across the floor.
Everyone moved at once.
Training took over.
Not anger.
Not fear.
Training.
I grabbed Daniel and pulled him behind cover.
“Stay down.””
He stared at me.
“You still sound like a commander.””
I looked at him.
“Maybe I always was.””
Outside, footsteps approached.
Too many.
Kessler remained strangely calm.
That bothered me more than the attack.
People who were afraid moved differently.
He wasn't afraid.
He planned this.
“You knew this would happen,” I said.
He looked at me.
“I knew it was possible.””
“You brought us here.””
“Yes.””
Daniel looked furious.
“You wanted everyone together.””
Kessler smiled.
“Exactly.””
Vale looked at him.
“You’re eliminating witnesses.””
“No.””
He looked around.
“I’m eliminating loose ends.””
The words made my blood run cold.
My father.
Daniel.
Vale.
Me.
Everyone connected to the truth.
“Where is my father?”” I asked.
Kessler smiled.
“Safe.””
I narrowed my eyes.
“Why?””
“Because he still has value.””
Daniel clenched his fists.
“He’s your partner.””
“No.””
Kessler looked amused.
“He was a tool.””
The door shook.
Someone was trying to get inside.
Vale looked at me.
“Samantha.””
I nodded.
I knew that tone.
A decision.
A final moment.
She reached into her pocket and handed me a small drive.
“What is this?””
“Everything.””
I looked at her.
“Everything?””
“Every order. Every payment. Every name.””
I stared at the drive.
“Why give it to me now?””
Her eyes met mine.
“Because twelve years ago, I failed you.””
A loud crash interrupted us.
The door broke open.
Armed men entered.
But they weren't soldiers.
They weren't police.
They were something worse.
People with no insignia.
No identity.
No accountability.
Kessler moved toward them.
“Get the drive.””
I looked at him.
“You’re afraid of a piece of evidence?””
He smiled.
“No.””
He looked at me.
“I’m afraid of what you’ll do with it.””
The attack started.
Daniel surprised me.
He moved with precision.
Not like someone who had only trained for ceremonies.
Like someone who had finally stopped pretending.
“You’re good,” I said.
He looked at me.
“I learned from watching you.””
The words hit harder than any compliment.
Reeves and the general’s team finally breached the building.
Chaos filled the room.
Kessler tried to escape.
I followed.
Not because of revenge.
Because I needed answers.
We reached the upper floor.
He stopped near the exit.
“You really think exposing me fixes everything?””
I stared at him.
“No.””
He looked surprised.
“Then what do you want?””
I thought about my father.
My mother.
Daniel.
Vale.
The girl I used to be.
“I want the truth.””
He laughed.
“Truth is overrated.””
“No.””
I stepped closer.
“Truth is the one thing you couldn’t control.””
For the first time, his confidence disappeared.
Behind him, the exit door opened.
The general stood there.
“Thomas Kessler.””
Kessler looked around.
Surrounded.
Finished.
But then he smiled.
And that scared me.
Because defeated people didn't smile.
“You still don't understand.””
I frowned.
“What?””
He looked past me.
Toward the building below.
“Your father wasn't my biggest secret.””
My stomach dropped.
“What are you talking about?””
Kessler smiled.
“Ask Daniel.””
I turned.
My brother stood at the doorway.
His face was pale.
“Daniel?””
He looked at me.
And I knew immediately.
He had been hiding something else.
Something bigger.
Something even he was afraid to say.
Kessler whispered:
“Your brother knows why you were chosen twelve years ago.””
And Daniel finally spoke.
“Samantha…”
May you like
His voice broke.
“I’m the reason they found you.””
