A Single Dad Rushed Into a Burning Jet to Save the CEO — Then a Marine General Saw His Face and Went Pale
Chapter 5
Victoria’s company had developed a next-generation medical monitoring system.
It could predict internal trauma before symptoms became obvious.
The technology had civilian applications.
But military agencies were interested too.
A wounded soldier could be monitored remotely.
Critical injuries could be identified before evacuation.
The system had been designed by a research team in Boston.
Victoria had refused several military contracts.
She wanted to keep the technology accessible to hospitals.
That decision had made powerful enemies.
Daniel understood immediately.
“Who else knows the full design?”
“Five people.”
“Names.”
Victoria listed them.
Two researchers.
Her chief technology officer.
Her legal counsel.
And herself.
Daniel nodded.
“And the security director.”
“He knows the locations of our facilities.”
“That’s enough.”
Jonathan stepped closer.
“You think Caleb is working for a foreign intelligence group?”
“I don’t know.”
“But?”
Daniel looked at the data.
“Caleb never cared about money.”
“Then what does he care about?”
“Winning.”
Jonathan nodded.
That fit.
The old Caleb had believed every mission was a game.
He took risks other people avoided.
He liked control.
He hated losing.
Daniel had once admired that.
Then he had watched what it did to people.
They moved Victoria to a secure location.
Daniel went with her.
He didn’t want to.
But he didn’t trust anyone else.
The safe house was outside the city.
Victoria sat across from him.
“You have a daughter.”
“Yes.”
“Where is she?”
“With my sister.”
“She knows you’re involved in this?”
“No.”
“Does she know what you used to do?”
“No.”
Victoria hesitated.
“Why not?”
“Because I want her to have a normal life.”
She nodded.
“I understand.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Do you?”
“More than you think.”
She told him about her own childhood.
Her father had built Hale Meridian from nothing.
Her brothers had competed for control.
She had inherited leadership after his death.
She had spent years proving she wasn’t just a wealthy daughter.
Daniel listened.
“You don’t trust people either.”
She smiled sadly.
“I trust people professionally.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“Maybe that’s why I trust you.”
Daniel became uncomfortable.
“Don’t.”
“Why?”
“Because trusting me is dangerous.”
She smiled.
“You climbed into a burning jet for me.”
“That doesn’t make me safe.”
“Maybe not.”
She looked at him.
“But it makes you honest.”
Before Daniel could respond, the lights went out.
They both froze.
Security systems had failed.
Daniel stood instantly.
“Stay here.”
Victoria followed.
“No.”
He turned.
“This isn’t a game.”
“I know.”
“We move now.”
They exited through the back corridor.
A shot cracked outside.
Daniel pushed Victoria to the floor.
He looked toward the window.
Someone was approaching.
Caleb.
He had found them.
And this time, Daniel knew exactly what Caleb was capable of.
