Page 111 of Reckless: Corruption

“Enough games,” Alexander says, his patience visibly fraying. “Hand over the case, Mona.”

“Probability of compliance approximately zero percent,” she replies.

His movement is lightning-fast—the gun appearing in his hand like a magic trick. But he doesn’t aim at Mona.

He aims at me.

“The case,” he repeats. “Or our Beta experiment ends.”

Mona doesn’t flinch. “You won’t kill her. Daddy wants her alive.”

“Alive doesn’t mean intact.” His smile chills me to the bone. “How many fingers does one really need to hack, after all?”

His attention is fully on me now, cataloging my every reaction. But he’s forgotten something crucial—I’ve been learning too. Not just from the pack, but from him. From Mona.

I see the slight favor of his left side. The almost imperceptible shifting of weight that Mona documented in her candy lessons.

Forty-three seconds. That’s how long his equilibrium will be compromised with the right hit.

“Last chance,” Alexander warns.

Mona’s eyes meet mine, a silent message passing between us. All her chaos and calculation distilled into one look.

“Fine,” she sighs dramatically. “Much cooperation. Very surrender.”

She steps forward, case extended.

Alexander reaches for it with his free hand, gun still trained on me.

That’s when I move—not toward him, but toward the door Mona unlocked. The unexpected direction catches him off guard, his reaction a split second too slow.

As he turns, adjusting his aim, Mona strikes—precise and brutal, targeting that sweet spot behind his left ear. Just as she taught me.

Alexander staggers, equilibrium shattered, but recovers faster than we anticipated. His tactical team surges forward, but Mona is already shoving me through the door.

“Run,” she hisses, pressing the case into my hands. “Find your pack. Very important mission. Much world-saving potential.”

“I’m not leaving you?—”

Her smile is genuine for once. “Not leaving. Creating diversion. Very dramatic. Much calculated risk.”

Before I can argue, she slams the door between us, the lock engaging with a final-sounding click.

I press my ear to the metal, hearing the chaos erupt on the other side.

“Your sister is quite resourceful,” Alexander’s voice carries through faintly. “I wonder if you are too.”

“Obviously. Very genetic. Much consistency.”

A gunshot echoes, followed by the sound of something shattering.

“Oops,” Mona’s voice taunts. “Very loud. Much evidence destruction.”

Another shot. Then silence.

My heart hammers in my chest. Every instinct screams to go back for her, but the weight of the case in my hands reminds me of what’s at stake. Find the pack. Deliver the research. Save Finn.

Except, my feet don’t move.

---