Chapter 5: The Trap
Allison spent the next few days laying low, but her mind was anything but quiet. She worked tirelessly from the villa, digging deeper into Colton’s operations and coordinating with Cobweb to stay ahead of his moves. The evidence against him was mounting, but so was the danger. Colton wasn’t the type to go down without a fight, and Allison knew he was already suspicious.
Late one evening, as she was reviewing encrypted files, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Rachel Hayes: “The story’s ready. We’re publishing tomorrow. Be careful—Colton’s people are watching us.”
Allison’s heart raced. This was it. The story would expose Colton’s corruption to the world, but it would also put a target on her back. She had to be ready.
She replied: “Thanks, Rachel. Stay safe.”
As she set her phone down, another message came through—this time from Marcus. “We’ve got a lead on Colton’s next move. He’s planning a shipment tonight. If we intercept it, we can shut him down for good.”
Allison’s eyes narrowed. This was her chance to strike before Colton could react. She quickly typed back: “Send me the details. I’m in.”
The location was an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Allison arrived just after midnight, dressed in all black and armed with nothing but her wits and a small tracking device. Marcus and a small team from Cobweb were already there, their movements silent and precise.
“The shipment’s coming in through the back,” Marcus whispered, pointing to a loading dock. “We’ve got about ten minutes before they arrive.”
Allison nodded, her heart pounding. She had been in dangerous situations before, but this felt different. This wasn’t just about taking down a criminal—it was personal.
The team took their positions, hiding in the shadows as the sound of approaching vehicles filled the air. Two trucks pulled into the warehouse, their headlights cutting through the darkness. Men began unloading crates, their voices low and tense.
Allison’s eyes scanned the scene, her mind racing. She needed proof—something concrete that would tie Colton to the shipment. She spotted a man in a suit standing off to the side, barking orders. It was one of Colton’s top executives, a man she recognized from her days as his wife.
She slipped closer, her movements silent. As the men carried the crates inside, she managed to snap photos and plant the tracking device on one of them. The device would allow Cobweb to trace the shipment’s destination, giving them even more evidence against Colton.
But just as she was about to retreat, a voice rang out. “Hey! Who’s there?”
Allison froze. One of the men had spotted her. Before she could react, Marcus and his team sprang into action, creating a diversion. Shouts and the sound of scuffling filled the air as Allison made a run for it.
She sprinted through the warehouse, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear footsteps behind her, closing in. She ducked behind a stack of crates, her breath coming in short gasps. She couldn’t afford to get caught—not now.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her arm. She spun around, ready to fight, but it was Marcus. “This way!” he hissed, pulling her toward a side exit.
They burst out into the night, the cool air hitting Allison’s face as they ran. Behind them, the sound of shouting and car engines revving grew louder. Colton’s men were chasing them.
Marcus led her to a waiting car, and they jumped in, speeding away just as headlights appeared in the rearview mirror. Allison glanced back, her chest heaving. They had made it—barely.
Back at the villa, Allison collapsed onto the couch, her body trembling with adrenaline. Marcus handed her a glass of water, his expression grim.
“That was too close,” he said. “Colton’s onto us. He’s not going to stop until he finds you.”
Allison took a sip of water, her mind racing. “We have to move faster. The story’s coming out tomorrow. Once it’s public, he won’t be able to hide.”
Marcus nodded. “But until then, you need to stay hidden. Colton’s desperate, and desperate people do dangerous things.”
Allison knew he was right, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out. She had set the trap, and Colton was walking right into it. But she also knew that the closer she got to bringing him down, the more dangerous he would become.
As she sat there, her phone buzzed. It was a message from an unknown number: “You think you’re clever, Allison. But you’re playing a game you can’t win.”
She stared at the screen, her stomach twisting. Colton had found her—or at least, he was trying to. She quickly deleted the message, her resolve hardening.
“He’s scared,” she said, more to herself than to Marcus. “That’s why he’s lashing out. He knows he’s losing.”
Marcus gave her a wary look. “Maybe. But don’t underestimate him. He’s not going down without a fight.”
Allison stood, her exhaustion replaced by determination. “Neither am I.”
The trap was set, and the pieces were in motion. Colton thought he was untouchable, but Allison was about to prove him wrong. The game was far from over, and she was ready to play to win.