Chapter 6 - The Ultimate BetrayalHadrian held the metallic briefcase tightly. "Where is Sorrel?"
Helena signaled to two of her men. They brought Sorrel out from inside a hollowed-out shipping container. The girl’s hands were bound, but she stood tall, looking at Hadrian with tears spilling over her cheeks.
"Daddy!" she cried out.
"I’m right here, baby," Hadrian said gently, his heart tearing apart. He looked back at Helena. "Simultaneous exchange. I slide the briefcase to you, you push Sorrel to me."
Helena hummed, pretending to consider it. "Fair enough."
Hadrian dropped to one knee, keeping his gaze locked on his daughter. "Sorrel, the second I say 'run', you run as fast as you can to Daddy, okay? Don't look back."
Sorrel nodded bravery through her tears.
Hadrian slid the heavy briefcase across the wet concrete. It skidded through the puddles, coming to a stop at Helena's boots. Helena knelt, opening the case and verifying the flashing green light of the encryption key interface.
"It's authentic," Helena whispered, a twisted look of triumph filling her eyes. She snapped the case shut and stood up. "Push the girl."
One of the mercenaries nudged Sorrel forward. The little girl broke into a sprint, running toward her father’s outstretched arms. Hadrian reached forward, closing his arms around his daughter, lifting her into a tight hug.
"I've got you," Hadrian whispered into her hair. "I've got you, baby."
"How touching," Helena’s voice came from behind them.
Hadrian turned around, shielding Sorrel with his body, only to see Helena raising her firearm, pointing it directly at Sorrel’s head.
"Did you really think I’d leave witnesses?" Helena smiled cruelly. "A child is an emotional liability, Hadrian. She remembers too much. She remembers what her sweet mother used to be. I can't have her testifying when I take over the global markets."
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"Helena, please!" Hadrian shouted, stepping completely in front of the barrel. "She’s your daughter! Your own flesh and blood!"
"She was a tool to get you here," Helena replied coldly, her finger tightening on the trigger. "And now, her tool value has expired."
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