The rain hadn't stopped.
It hammered against the safehouse roof like the world was trying to drown out the sound of Elijah's racing thoughts.
Reyes' laptop still sat open on the table, his name glaring at him in bright, damning letters.
A mole. A traitor.
If he didn't act now, that's what he'd be branded forever—maybe even in Luca's eyes.
---
Luca hadn't moved from the corner, arms folded, gaze fixed like a loaded gun.
"Elijah," he said finally, his voice deep, deliberate, "you've got ten minutes before I decide whether you walk out of here… or not at all."
Elijah's pulse spiked. "If I were the mole, I wouldn't still be standing here."
"That's exactly what a mole would say," Luca countered.
"Damn it, Luca!" Elijah snapped, shoving past him toward the door. "If you're not going to believe me, I'll prove it myself."
---
He barely made it outside before Luca grabbed his arm, spinning him back.
"You think I'm letting you run off with classified intel in your pocket?"
"I think you're scared," Elijah shot back. "Scared you might be wrong about me. Scared of what happens if you're not."
For a moment, Luca's grip tightened—like he was deciding whether to drag him back inside or let him go. Then, without warning, he shoved Elijah forward.
"You've got nine minutes," Luca said. "Run."
---
Elijah bolted into the rain, his boots splashing through puddles as the neon lights of the city blurred around him.
The mole had to be close—someone in their unit.
And Elijah had one lead: a black-market comms broker known as Cipher, who had been caught selling intel before.
He took the back alleys, dodging shadows and stray cats, until he reached a half-collapsed warehouse. The air smelled like rust and rain-soaked concrete.
Inside, a single desk lamp glowed in the darkness.
A man in a hood sat behind it, fingers tapping on a laptop.
"You're late," Cipher said without looking up.
---
"I need a name," Elijah said, stepping closer.
Cipher chuckled. "You think I just hand over my clients?"
"You will if you want to keep breathing," Elijah growled, slamming his hands on the desk.
Cipher's smirk faltered. He leaned in, lowering his voice. "The one who paid me… wasn't just after Virelli. They were after you. And they're close, Elijah. Real close."
Before Elijah could push for more, a shadow moved in the corner of the room.
The metallic click of a safety being released filled the air.
---
He turned—only to see Luca, gun raised, eyes cold.
"Step away from him," Luca ordered.
"Luca—" Elijah started, but Cipher was already grabbing a pistol from under the desk.
A gunshot cracked through the air.
Elijah dove for cover, hearing wood splinter behind him.
He didn't know if Luca was here to save him… or finish what he started.
---