Chương 3 - The Icarus Protocol
The cold steel against her ribs felt like a block of ice.
Cassidy did not break eye contact with Victor.
She knew that if she looked down, Dominic would pull the trigger out of sheer panic.
“The contract outlines the transfer of maritime navigation equipment,” Cassidy lied smoothly.
She translated the document using harmless corporate jargon, protecting Dominic's dangerous secret.
Dominic’s tense shoulders relaxed just a fraction of an inch.
Victor steepled his fingers, watching her with predatory amusement.
“Navigation equipment,” Victor repeated slowly.
“Are you certain you are reading the technical specifications correctly?”
“Yes, sir,” Cassidy replied, keeping her voice completely steady.
Natalia leaned forward, her diamonds catching the ambient light of the restaurant.
“It is a shame,” Natalia said in Russian, ignoring Dominic entirely.
“I thought a translator who worked on Project Icarus would have a sharper eye for weaponry.”
Cassidy’s breath hitched in her throat.
Project Icarus was the highly classified government initiative her father had managed before his mysterious death.
It was the exact project that had ruined her family and left her buried in debt.
Dominic pressed the gun harder into her ribs, annoyed by the sudden shift in the conversation.
“What is she saying?” Dominic demanded in English.
“She is admiring your business acumen, Mr. Pierce,” Cassidy lied again.
Her mind was racing at a terrifying speed.
Victor and Natalia were not here for a business merger.
They were here because they knew exactly who she was.
Victor reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a sleek silver flash drive.
He set it on the table right in front of Cassidy.
“This drive contains the unredacted files regarding your father’s final mission,” Victor said softly.
Cassidy stared at the small metal object as if it were a venomous snake.
“Why are you showing this to me?” Cassidy whispered.
May you like
Victor smiled, but it did not reach his eyes.
“Because you are going to help us steal eighty million dollars from Mr. Pierce tonight, or I will ensure you join your father.”
