Page 38 of Faron (The Golden Team #8)

Golden Team Base – Later That Day

Diego sat cuffed, pale and sweating, in the middle of the ops room. River stood over him while Gage and Raven flanked the sides.

Projector light danced on the wall—faces, maps, donations, shell corporations. The web kept growing.

“This isn’t just about Blue,” River said. “They’re targeting anyone helping kids escape cartel recruitment.”

“Backed by city insiders,” Gage added. “Fake youth programs. Real estate grabs around safe zones. It’s systematic.”

“Why?” Raven asked.

Diego met our eyes, something unhinged behind his pupils. “Because order makes people brave. Chaos makes them afraid. And scared people are easy to control.”

“Not in this city,” I said. “Not anymore.”

River turned toward us. “Diego was just the blade. It’s time we find the hand that held it.”