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Ben Jackson
Woods surrounding Pulhapanzak Falls Parking Lot
Honduras
Stop talking, Ben thought. But it was too late. Attention had been drawn to the fact that Gracie was no longer held hostage.
Ben watched in horror as Regan ran toward Guy, sending her straight into the line of fire as el jefe straightened himself back up. Her hours spent running came in handy as she sprinted toward her target. Ben knew what she was doing. She thought she needed Guy. She thought he was the ticket to finding Gray.
Ben hated himself up for leaving Gray behind. If only he had helped Gray, all of them would be long gone by now. They’d be back on Ben’s plane and headed for home.
But Ben hadn’t made the right decision. His life was a string of bad choices. All choices made to benefit him and him only. He’d never put anyone else’s happiness or security above his own.
For the first time, Ben regretted it as he watched Regan running toward danger. Maybe she thought she was invincible. Or maybe, just maybe, she loved Gray so much that her own safety didn’t matter.
Ben watched the scene unfold like a movie. Regan yelling. Gracie screaming. Guy reaching for Gracie when he saw her emerge from the woods.
And worst of all. El jefe changing his target. The gun moved from pointing at Guy’s chest to Regan’s back.
For the first time in his life, Ben made a decision to help someone else. He eyed his target and sighted his gun on el jefe himself. Ben knew it would mean his own death. He knew he wouldn’t just get to walk away after killing the leader of the world’s largest drug cartel. Eventually, he’d be found and executed.
That was okay with him. As long as he could save Regan before dying himself.
Ben didn’t hesitate as he pulled the trigger.