Chapter 11: The Exchange

Silence settled over the underground command bunker after the intelligence officer delivered Victor Kane's message.

"Benjamin Hamilton... in exchange for Devon."

The words echoed in Devon's mind like a death sentence.

"He's using my father as bait," Devon said quietly.

"Exactly," Marco replied.

"And he expects us to react emotionally."

Devon slammed his fist onto the command table.

"He's my father!"

"I can't just abandon him!"

"No one said you would," Marco answered calmly.

"But charging into Victor's trap guarantees both of you die."

Luca unfolded a digital map across the table.

"We've traced the transmission."

"It originated from an abandoned steel mill near the Hudson River."

"Is Benjamin there?" Devon asked.

"Not necessarily," Luca admitted.

"Victor is smart enough to use relay towers."

"It could be another trap."

"Or it could be real," Devon argued.

"Either way, we have to act."

Marco studied the map in silence.

After nearly a minute, he finally spoke.

"We'll accept the exchange."

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

"Boss?" Luca asked.

"You're serious?"

"Completely."

"But not on Victor's terms."

Marco turned toward Devon.

"Do you trust me?"

Devon didn't answer immediately.

Just a week ago, he would have laughed at such a question.

Now...

After Marco had taken a bullet for him...

After risking everything to protect him...

The answer came naturally.

"Yes."

"Then listen carefully."

Marco pointed toward the map.

"Victor expects desperation."

"We'll give him confidence instead."

"Meaning?"

"You'll attend the exchange."

"What?" Devon exclaimed.

"Absolutely not," Miriam interrupted.

"It's suicide!"

"Only if Victor controls the battlefield."

"He won't."

Marco pressed a button on the table.

Several satellite images appeared on the large monitor.

"The steel mill has seven entrances."

"Victor will expect us to use the main road."

"We won't."

"Luca, divide our men into four teams."

"Snipers on the eastern towers."

"Charlie Team secures the river exit."

"Bravo Team blocks the railway."

"Alpha comes with me."

"Understood."

"What about me?" Devon asked.

"You'll arrive alone."

"Alone?"

"Only from Victor's perspective."

"Every sniper I own will already be watching you."

"If Victor tries anything..."

"He won't leave that steel mill alive."

Devon swallowed hard.

"This feels insane."

"War usually does."

"Boss," one of the intelligence officers interrupted.

"We've decrypted the rest of Victor's message."

"There's more?" Marco asked.

"Yes."

The officer handed him another sheet of paper.

Marco read it silently.

His expression darkened.

"What does it say?" Devon asked.

Marco looked directly at him.

"Victor claims your father confessed."

"Confessed to what?"

"That your mother's death wasn't an accident."

The room became completely silent.

"No..." Devon whispered.

"My mother died in a car crash."

"That's what Benjamin told everyone," Miriam said quietly.

"Then what is Victor talking about?"

"We don't know yet."

"He's trying to manipulate you," Luca added.

"Don't fall for it."

Devon wasn't listening anymore.

His mother's smiling face flashed through his memories.

He had been only six years old.

Every birthday...

Every Christmas...

His father had insisted it was simply a tragic accident.

What if it wasn't?

"I need to know the truth," Devon whispered.

"And you will," Marco assured him.

"But first... we save your father."

Late that evening, preparations were complete.

Weapons were checked.

Communication devices were tested.

Armored vehicles lined up outside the estate.

Marco stood alone on the mansion balcony, overlooking the dark forest.

Devon approached quietly.

"Can't sleep?" Marco asked.

"Not tonight."

"Understandable."

For several moments, neither man spoke.

The cool night breeze carried the scent of pine trees across the estate.

"Why are you doing all this for me?" Devon finally asked.

"I've wondered that since the day we met."

Marco remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he answered.

"When you kissed me..."

"You didn't know my name."

"You didn't know my reputation."

"You saw a man... not a monster."

"Very few people have ever done that."

Devon looked at him quietly.

"I was drunk."

"Maybe."

"But sometimes alcohol reveals honesty."

"Not weakness."

Their eyes met.

For a brief moment, the world around them disappeared.

Neither noticed how close they had stepped toward each other.

"Boss," Luca's voice suddenly interrupted through the radio.

"Everything is ready."

"Victor confirmed the exchange."

"Midnight."

"Steel Mill Number Nine."

Marco nodded.

"We're leaving."

As Devon turned toward the staircase, Marco gently caught his wrist.

"One more thing."

"If anything goes wrong..."

"You leave immediately."

"I'm not leaving you behind again," Devon replied firmly.

Marco smiled faintly.

"We'll argue about that later."

Exactly at midnight, the convoy arrived outside the abandoned steel mill.

Rusted machinery stood like giant skeletons beneath the moonlight.

Smoke drifted through the broken windows.

Everything was eerily quiet.

"Remember the plan," Marco said through the earpiece.

"No unnecessary risks."

Devon nodded and stepped out of the vehicle alone.

The massive steel doors slowly creaked open.

Inside stood Victor Kane...

With Benjamin Hamilton tied to a chair beside him.

Victor smiled as Devon entered.

"Welcome, Devon."

"I've been waiting a very long time to meet the real heir of the Hamilton family."