Chapter 12: The Founder of the Eagle
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Because the man on the screen had changed everything.
Darius looked smaller.
Not weaker.
Smaller.
Like the person we thought was the monster had just met the man who created him.
The older man smiled.
“Darius.””
His voice was calm.
Almost gentle.
That made it worse.
“Father.””
The word came from Darius like it hurt.
I looked at Cole.
“His father?””
Cole nodded slowly.
“The founder.””
The man on the screen looked directly at us.
“Bear.””
My body tightened.
He knew my name.
Of course he did.
“Who are you?””
The man smiled.
“Someone who has been watching you for a long time.””
“I asked who you are.””
“Malcolm Reed.””
The name meant nothing.
But the way everyone reacted told me it should.
The woman beside Cole whispered:
“The architect.””
Malcolm smiled.
“So she remembers.””
I looked at her.
“Explain.””
She stared at the screen.
“He built Eagle Security.””
Malcolm laughed softly.
“Built is such a simple word.””
The speakers carried his voice through the warehouse.
“I created something bigger.””
“A machine.””
“No.””
His eyes narrowed.
“A family.””
Darius looked disgusted.
“Don’t call it that.””
Malcolm ignored him.
“Darius always struggled with understanding loyalty.””
Darius stepped toward the screen.
“You used me.””
Malcolm’s expression didn’t change.
“I trained you.””
“You destroyed my life.””
“I gave you purpose.””
Darius laughed.
A broken laugh.
“You never loved me.””
For the first time, Malcolm paused.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
The crack.
“You were useful.””
Darius looked away.
And suddenly I understood something.
Darius wasn’t just dangerous.
He was damaged.
Created by someone worse.
Malcolm turned back to us.
“The drive.””
The woman held it tighter.
“You won’t get it.””
Malcolm smiled.
“Everyone says that.””
Then he looked at Maya.
“Until they understand what happens next.””
I stepped forward.
“Leave her out of this.””
Malcolm looked at me.
“Interesting.””
“What?””
“You became exactly what Cole said you would.””
I looked at Cole.
“What did he tell you?””
Malcolm smiled.
“That you would protect strangers before protecting yourself.””
The room went silent.
Cole looked uncomfortable.
“How long have you known me?””
“Long enough.””
The screen flickered.
A folder appeared.
My name.
Bear.
I stared.
Inside were details about my life.
My club.
My family.
My history.
I felt something cold move through me.
They had been watching all of us.
For years.
Malcolm continued.
“You think this is about Maya.””
He looked at Cole.
“It isn’t.””
Cole stepped forward.
“Then what is it?””
Malcolm smiled.
“It’s about what she represents.””
Maya moved closer to me.
I put my hand on her shoulder.
“What does she represent?””
Malcolm answered:
“Proof.””
The word echoed.
“Proof that my system failed.””
The woman shook her head.
“She’s a child.””
“She’s evidence.””
“No.””
Malcolm’s expression hardened.
“She is the last piece.””
Cole looked at Maya.
Then at Malcolm.
“You’re never getting near her.””
Malcolm smiled.
“Cole.””
A pause.
“You still think you’re the one protecting her.””
The screen changed.
A video appeared.
Cole froze.
Because it showed him.
Twelve years earlier.
Standing beside Malcolm.
Handing over a folder.
I looked at Cole.
My heart sank.
The video continued.
Cole saying:
“I’ll do whatever it takes.””
Then the screen went black.
Nobody spoke.
Maya looked at Cole.
Confused.
Afraid.
I looked at him too.
Because I needed an answer.
“Cole…”
He looked devastated.
“I can explain.””
But before he could…
The warehouse doors slammed shut.
Locked.
Malcolm’s voice returned.
“You have one hour.””
My eyes moved toward the speakers.
“For what?””
The answer came instantly.
“Decide whether you trust the man who betrayed you…”
A pause.
“Or the man who created him.””
The lights went out.
And in the darkness, I heard Maya whisper:
“Bear?””
I reached for her hand.
“I’m here.””
But inside…
I wasn’t sure.
Because for the first time in my life…
May you like
I didn’t know if the person standing beside me was my brother…
Or the reason we were all in danger.
