Chapter 10 - Betrayal in the Sky
Ethan stepped away from the window, shielding the baby from the blinding glare of the searchlights outside.
"You said the FBI was compromised," Ethan said, looking sharply at Victoria as the house shook from the helicopter's wind.
"It is!" Victoria screamed over the deafening noise of the engine rotors.
"That's Agent Marcus Cole out there! He's the one who was feeding information to the Russian syndicate!"
Suddenly, the nursery door swung wide open, and Marcus Cole stepped into the room, holding a heavy submachine gun.
He was no longer wearing his civilian jacket; he was clad in full tactical gear, his badge gleaming under the lantern light.
"Drop the weapon, Vance," Marcus commanded coldly, raising his firearm directly at Ethan's head.
"Agent Cole..." Victoria gasped, stepping between Marcus and Ethan. "We fulfilled our agreement! You promised safety!"
Ethan's eyes widened in profound shock as he looked at Victoria. "Our agreement?!"
"Victoria, step aside," Marcus ordered flatly, ignoring her tearful plea completely.
"She promised me the micro-chip key in exchange for a clean identity and full immunity from federal prosecution."
"She didn't tell me you were going to show up with a Johns Hopkins DNA test and ruin the entire extraction timeline."
Ethan felt a fresh wave of absolute betrayal wash over him, looking at his wife as if she were a total stranger.
"You traded our son for your own freedom?" Ethan asked, his voice dead and emotionless.
"Ethan, I did it to save us both!" Victoria wept, reaching out toward him desperately.
"They were going to kill us anyway, Ethan! I had to make a deal with the only person who had the power to protect me!"
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Marcus smirked coldly, flicking the safety catch off his weapon with a sharp, metallic click.
"Enough with the dramatic family reunion," Marcus said softly. "Give me the kid, Vance, or I paint this nursery red."
