CHAPTER 69

The city pulsed with a restless energy as Fiona, Bella, and Darwin navigated through the dark alleyways, putting distance between themselves and the warehouse. The faint smell of smoke clung to their clothes, a reminder of the explosion they had barely escaped.

Darwin staggered slightly, his wound slowing him down. Fiona instinctively moved to support him, but he waved her off.

“I said I’m fine,” he muttered through gritted teeth.

Bella scoffed. “Yeah? Because you look like you’re about to keel over.”

Fiona ignored them both and focused on her earpiece. “Marcus, say that again. Where is William going?”

Marcus’s voice crackled through. “I traced some last-minute financial movements linked to his shell companies. He’s preparing to board a private jet at Blackridge Airfield.”

Fiona’s stomach tightened. “That’s too far for him to get there on foot. He’ll have a car waiting.”

“Already on it,” Marcus confirmed. “Traffic cams picked up an armored SUV leaving a location near the warehouse right after the explosion. If you hurry, you can intercept him before he gets on that plane.”

Bella loaded a fresh magazine into her gun. “Then what are we waiting for?”

Darwin’s jaw clenched. “A plan.”

Fiona shot him a look. “We don’t have time for anything elaborate. If he gets airborne, we lose him.”

Marcus’s voice was urgent. “Then you better move fast.”

Fiona took a deep breath. This was it—the beginning of the end.

On the Hunt

They stole a black sedan from a nearby lot, Bella hotwiring it in under a minute. As soon as the engine roared to life, Fiona floored the gas, the tires screeching as they sped onto the main road.

Marcus guided them through the city streets via comms. “William’s SUV is about ten minutes ahead of you, heading straight for Blackridge. If he reaches the perimeter, security will clear a path for him.”

Fiona tightened her grip on the wheel. “Not if we stop him first.”

Darwin, pale from blood loss, was in the backseat pressing a makeshift bandage against his shoulder. “We need to think ahead. William’s not stupid—he’ll have backup.”

Bella glanced out the window. “And we don’t?”

Fiona’s lips pressed into a thin line. “We have Marcus. And ourselves.”

The city lights blurred past them as they weaved through traffic, closing the distance. The airfield loomed ahead, its perimeter lined with high fences and floodlights.

Then—

Marcus’s voice sharpened. “There! Black SUV, right lane, about five cars ahead!”

Fiona’s heart slammed against her ribs. She spotted the vehicle just as it turned onto a restricted road leading toward the runway.

Bella leaned forward. “We need to stop him before he gets past that checkpoint.”

Fiona gritted her teeth. “Hold on.”

She yanked the wheel, cutting across lanes, the sedan narrowly missing another car. The SUV’s driver must have spotted them, because the vehicle suddenly accelerated.

“They’re making a run for it,” Darwin muttered.

Fiona slammed the gas pedal. “Not today.”

Collision Course

The chase tore through the airfield’s service roads, tires screeching against pavement. Security guards ahead scrambled as both vehicles barreled toward the checkpoint.

William’s driver made a sharp turn, trying to shake them. Fiona didn’t hesitate.

“Bella, the tires!”

Bella rolled down the window, bracing herself against the wind as she aimed.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

The first shot missed. The second pinged off the bumper. The third—

The SUV jerked violently as the rear tire blew out.

The driver lost control for a split second. It was enough.

Fiona didn’t slow. She swerved the sedan, slamming it into the SUV’s side. The impact sent both vehicles skidding. The SUV spun out, careening toward a concrete barrier—

Crash!

Fiona barely managed to regain control of the sedan before bringing it to a screeching halt.

For a heartbeat, there was silence.

Then the SUV’s door burst open.

William.

Fiona’s breath caught. He was bloodied but still moving, staggering out of the wreckage with a gun in hand.

And he was running.

Bella cursed. “Oh no, you don’t—”

She was already out of the car, chasing after him.

Fiona followed, heart pounding.

William wasn’t heading for the terminal. He was running toward the private hangar.

A plane stood ready, its engines humming.

“Marcus!” Fiona barked into her comms. “Shut down that plane!”

“I’m trying!” Marcus’s frustration was evident. “Security override isn’t working—someone’s helping him from the inside.”

Fiona’s mind raced. They had minutes—maybe less.

Bella fired a shot. William ducked behind a fuel truck, using it for cover.

Darwin, still by the car, was gripping his injured arm, but he raised his gun. “Fiona!”

She understood immediately.

Flanking him.

She darted left, keeping low.

William’s voice rang out, breathless but sharp. “You’re too late, Fiona.”

She ignored him, moving closer.

He fired.

The bullet missed her by inches.

Bella returned fire, forcing him to move.

The plane’s door was opening.

A desperate gamble.

William broke into a sprint, making a final push for the aircraft.

Fiona saw her opening.

She raised her gun.

One shot.

She fired.

The bullet tore through William’s leg.

He crumpled to the ground, crying out in pain.

Bella reached him first, kicking his gun away.

Darwin limped forward, his face grim. “It’s over.”

William laughed, despite the pain. “You think?”

Then—

The plane started rolling.

Fiona’s blood ran cold. Someone was still inside.

A backup escape plan.

“Bella, stop that plane!”

Bella didn’t hesitate. She sprinted toward the aircraft, aiming for the engines.

William groaned. “You don’t have the nerve—”

Bella pulled the trigger.

Bang.

Smoke erupted from the engine. The aircraft wobbled, then screeched to a halt.

Silence.

Fiona exhaled.

William slumped back, his smirk fading.

“Checkmate,” Fiona murmured.

The Endgame

Minutes later, sirens blared.

Airport security swarmed the tarmac.

Marcus’s voice crackled in. “Cops are en route. It’s done.”

Bella glanced down at William, shaking her head. “All that running for nothing.”

Fiona watched as he clutched his bleeding leg, his face tight with anger.

Darwin stood beside her, breathing heavily. “We finally got him.”

Fiona exhaled. The chase was over.

William had no more cards left to play.

No more places to hide.

The war wasn’t just ending.

It was their victory now.