Chapter 15: Aftermath and Unspoken Feelings
The warehouse burned behind them, thick black smoke curling into the sky like a warning. Sirens blared as backup finally arrived, FBI agents swarming the area. The firefight had ended, but Mr. Phis had escaped once again.
Mark held Ruth close, his heart still racing from the sight of her charging straight at danger. He didn't know if he wanted to shake her or kiss her.
"You really don't listen, do you?" he murmured, his voice rough with frustration and something deeper.
Ruth pulled away slightly, looking up at him with wide, determined eyes. "I had to try, Mark. He's ruined so many lives. He's ruined mine. I couldn't just let him walk away again."
Mark exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah? And what if he had shot you? What if I hadn't been there in time?"
Before Ruth could answer, Saris walked up, dusting soot off her designer jacket. "Alright, lovebirds, let's save the romantic tension for later. We need to figure out our next move."
Ruth flushed, stepping away from Mark. "I—We're not—"
Saris smirked. "Uh-huh. Sure."
Mark sighed. "Ryan, tell me we got something useful from this mess."
Ryan, who had been reviewing the surveillance footage, nodded. "We lost Phis, but we got a lead. His next shipment is scheduled to arrive in two nights at a private airstrip outside the city."
Mark's jaw tightened. "Then we cut him off there."
---
Later That Night: A Moment of Truth
Back at the safe house, everyone regrouped, exhausted but determined. Ruth stood by the window, looking out at the city lights. She couldn't stop thinking about how close she had been to stopping her uncle. And how close she had been to death.
She barely heard Mark approach until he was right beside her. "You should get some rest," he said softly.
Ruth sighed. "I can't. My mind won't shut off."
Mark studied her for a moment, then reached out, gently brushing a lock of hair from her face. "You scared the hell out of me tonight," he admitted.
Ruth turned to face him fully. "I scare myself, too," she whispered. "But I won't stop until he's brought to justice."
Mark's gaze flickered to her lips for the briefest second before he stepped back. "We'll get him. Together."
Ruth nodded, but as Mark walked away, she couldn't help but wonder—was she only fighting for justice? Or was she also fighting the growing, undeniable pull between them?
---
Meanwhile: Mr. Phis's Next Move
Far from the city, Mr. Phis sat in his dimly lit office, his wounded arm bandaged, a glass of whiskey in his hand.
"You should've killed her when you had the chance," a deep voice rumbled from the shadows.
Phis smirked, swirling his drink. "Now, where's the fun in that?"
The figure stepped forward, revealing a scarred face and cold eyes. "She's a threat. And that FBI agent? He's getting too close."
Phis took a slow sip. "Then let's make sure they don't get any closer."
The airstrip operation wasn't just a shipment. It was a trap.
And Ruth and Mark were walking straight into it.
Chapter 16: A Dangerous Trap
The night before the airstrip operation was tense. Everyone knew this wasn't just another mission—this was a setup, and they were willingly walking into it. The question was whether they'd be able to turn the trap against Mr. Phis before it was too late.
Ruth sat at the table with Mark, Ryan, and Saris, studying the blueprints of the airstrip. "Phis expects us to come. He won't make it easy," she said, tracing a path with her finger.
"Which is why we need to stay ahead of him," Mark replied. "The moment we step onto that airstrip, we'll be outnumbered. We need an exit strategy before we go in."
Saris leaned back in her chair, twirling a pen between her fingers. "Why do I feel like we're walking into a movie where the main characters get blown up?"
Ryan smirked. "At least we're the main characters."
Mark shot them both a look before turning back to Ruth. "Are you sure you want to be there? It's going to be dangerous."
Ruth met his gaze, unwavering. "I need to see this through, Mark. He's my family, but he's also a criminal. If I don't stand up to him now, I never will."
Mark sighed. He admired her determination, but it also scared him.
"Alright," he finally said. "But you stick to the plan. No running off on your own this time."
Saris coughed pointedly. "Someone's getting protective."
Ruth flushed. "Can we focus, please?"
Mark cleared his throat, ignoring Saris's knowing smirk. "Fine. Here's how we're doing this—"
---
The Airstrip Showdown
The next night, the team arrived at the private airstrip in two unmarked vehicles. The runway stretched out before them, dimly lit, with a large cargo plane at its center.
"Looks quiet," Ryan murmured, adjusting his camera lens. "Too quiet."
Mark signaled to the FBI agents in the second vehicle. "Move in slow. Watch for ambush points."
As they approached, the air suddenly felt heavier. Ruth gripped her gun tighter, her pulse quickening. Something was wrong.
Then—
A gunshot rang out.
"DOWN!" Mark shouted as bullets rained from the surrounding cargo crates. Shadows moved quickly, gunmen emerging from hidden positions.
"It's an ambush!" Saris yelled, ducking behind a crate as bullets whizzed past her.
Ruth and Mark took cover behind a metal container, their backs pressed together. "Told you this was a trap," Ruth muttered.
"Yeah, yeah," Mark gritted his teeth, returning fire.
From across the airstrip, Mr. Phis appeared, standing near the plane with a smug smile. "Ah, my dear niece. You just couldn't resist, could you?"
Ruth stood, aiming her gun at him. "It's over, Uncle. You won't get away this time."
Phis chuckled. "Oh, Ruth. You're still so naïve." He gestured with his hand—
And suddenly, more men surrounded them.
Mark clenched his jaw. They were outnumbered.
But they weren't out of options.
Mark glanced at Ruth. "Ready to break the rules?"
Ruth smirked. "Always."
Then, in perfect sync, they moved.
---
The fight had only just begun.