"It could be a trap," Kale warned, his gut screaming ambush.


    Debra eyed the contract. She needed it, but she wasn''t dumb enough to walk into danger.


    If Michael had a setup, they had to bail fast.


    "We were friends once," she said. "I gave you those shares, but you stabbed me in the back. To show your sincerity, shouldn''t you hand them over yourself?"


    "You''re scared I''ve got something waiting, huh?" Michael smirked.


    She didn''t answer, but her silence said it all.


    Michael sighed, "Didn''t think we''d lose even that basic trust. Hurts a little."


    "Cut the guilt trip," Debra snapped. "If you wanted my trust, you wouldn''t have lied to me from the start."


    Once she''d learned he''d yed her, that trust was gone. She didn''t care what he wanted. She wasn''t betting her life or Kale''s on it.


    Michael shrugged. "Fine, I''ll bring it to you."


    He took a step, but nothing happened.


    Suddenly, he pulled a gun and aimed it at her head. A shot was fired before she could blink.


    In the nick of time, Kale shoved her behind him, taking the bullet in his shoulder.


    Debra froze. She''d imagined Michael might try something, but not shoot her.


    "Run!" Kale yanked her arm, dragging her into the forest.


    But the jungle was alive. ck-cloaked figures in white masks crept out, closing in. Cold eyes locked on them.


    Debra''s spine chilled. They were prey, ripe for the hunt.


    "Damn! We''ve been surrounded." Kale stopped.


    Debra saw it too. The Illuminati goons were everywhere, boxing them in. The pressure crushed her.


    "Why?" She stared at Michael as he stepped forward.<fn6bff> Readplete version only at findnovel</fn6bff>


    "Don''t look at me like that," he said coolly. "You called me a traitor. You can''t expect a guy who''s screwed you over to still care like before."


    He edged closer. "I know you didn''t fully trust me. You came prepared, right? Counting on Marion, Randy, Erica, or Jordan? Give it up. My setup''s airtight."