Chapter 10 - The Man Ethan Used to Be
Sofia met Mateo alone at an abandoned bus terminal.
At least she thought she was alone.
She ran to her brother and hit his shoulder before hugging him.
"Seven years."
"I know."
"Mom died."
His face broke. "I know."
When they finally separated, Sofia showed him the Ethan folder.
"He worked for Salazar."
Mateo nodded.
"He told me the week we met."
"He didn't tell me."
"Because he's ashamed."
"That isn't an excuse."
"No."
Mateo touched the scar on his neck.
"This came from the garage. Ethan's came from the same shattered windshield. He left because I ordered him to. If he stayed, we'd both be dead."
Sofia looked away.
"Then why did Dad say Ethan abandoned you?"
"Because Dad edits every story until he can survive it."
Mateo handed her a recorder.
"This is bigger than Salazar."
"Who?"
Slow applause echoed through the terminal.
Ethan stepped from behind a concrete column.
Sofia stared. "You followed me."
"Yes."
Mateo's hand moved toward his jacket.
"Relax," Ethan said. "If I wanted to hurt either of you, I had seven years."
Sofia stepped between them.
"You don't get to decide what's safe anymore."
Ethan nodded. "Fair."
Mateo looked at the recorder.
"The voice on this belongs to Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Wynn. He was Salazar's protection inside the federal system."
Ethan went still.
"Wynn was our contact in the garage."
Mateo nodded.
"Exactly. He didn't get compromised. He sold us out."
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Then a red laser dot appeared on Ethan's chest.
Mateo shouted, "Down!
