SURVIVING

EN'

ulled up to my chest, and she was sitting beside me, leaning forward with her el

things with Fabio are... complicated, but I

? You mean like, you're okay with him?

Ren. I can't stop thinking about him. He's different when it's just us, you know?" She paused,

l, Pop. Don't get too close. Terzo and his crew, they... they don'

assing me. What if Terzo finds out about them ? I wanted to ask the question so

metimes, I can't help it. It's like... I don't know how to expla

ock on the door. Fabio's voice came from the oth

rst time Fabio showed so

moothing her clothes. "Gu

g that something was off. Maybe it was the way Fabio had said

ant as always. Cala, Venetia, Finn, Kasha, and Axel were already there. Everyone's eyes seemed to flicker towards us as we ent

ont of him. Kasha was the first to speak up, her voice dripping

I could see the tension building in her shoulders

be nice. I mean, you know... getting special treatment from Fabio.

ayed calm. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

onder if it's more than just... work, you know?" She let the

nd she looked at Fabio before answering, but Fa

ust messing around, Poppy. Don't listen to her." His voice was defensive, but t

at him, her expression unreadable. "Right,"

n't know what the penalty for breaking such a rule would attract. And not knowing what Terzo could choose to

ecause of some stupid rules from the boss and for a

rself. Terzo, who had been silent up until now, finally looked up from his papers

e was cold, almost disinterested,

her chair. "Oh, nothing, boss. Just... wondering if

r, his gaze sharp and calculating. "I don't have time for gossip. Everyone here has a

skip a beat and I know Poppy felt

on this was going. Kasha, however, didn't seem to care much. She leaned back

onder-what was really going on between Poppy and Fabio? Is there really a strong connection between them? And what did Kasha really mean with her words? They could only me

ith Fabio and Poppy. We all sat there, dining quietly and for a moment, I thought

eyes moved around the room, like he was

business never waited for anyone. He looked at Fabio and Axel, and h

spoke again. "There's a man we need to deal with. He's been

orry. "Who is he?" I asked, my voic

ice. "He's getting too comfortable. He thinks he c

So, we make contact, get him alone, and..." He left

n't get it twisted. This isn't just a simple

hands were starting to shake slightly, but I tried

napped me out of my thoughts.

llowing the lump in my throa

around. Then he drops the bomb. "For tonight's job, I

ll do it." Her voice is sharp, full of confidence.

ost amused expression. "You?" he asks, like he can't

flashing before she quickly hides it. Then, before she can respond, Terzo turns to me, his ey

alm, but inside, my heart is pounding. The moment feels... electric. The eyes

neering expression. She's clearly pissed. "Really?

others follow, and the whole room is filled with light, teasing laughter. Kasha's

rzo wants tonight," Finn chuckles

oesn't want you too!"

ssion without me" he boa

s, her grin wide, as the laughter settle

it's no big deal. "Seren's got the skills I nee

oesn't say anything else. She just sits back, seething in s

at Terzo, looking mad, and storms out of the room. The rest of us just watch her le

ickly, his voice cold but calm. "Terzo," he says, and then walks off to

e for the job? Why not Kasha or someone else? Sh

hought hits me like a punch. Maybe that's why Terzo wanted

licks. It wasn't just because I was useful. It was because I was dang

o away. I wasn't just some girl to him. I was a weapon. Th

The weight of it all hits me. Terzo had picked me because

still chuckling over her reaction, while Axel leaned back in his chair,

n't l

Axel's voice pulled

quickly

'cause tonight's

. Of course

e alone with Fabio. Everybody has left , poppy was the first person to get away from the dining room. I think she didn't want to talk with h

, but before I co

er

poke to me directly unl

was unreadable. "Be careful to

wned.

ing if someone was listening. Then he sighed. "Because Terz

tone sent a chi

mean?" I as

ong moment before shaki

e wasn't telling me. But before I coul

g at the empty doorwa

he mean

was walking into somethin

or a long time. His words echoed in my head. Terzo p

hell did

my room. Poppy was waiting, sittin

she asked

h I wasn't sure. "Ye

d. "Thinking

eird. He told me to be careful tonig

. "Did you ask hi

uldn't

p, looking worried. "I

bed. "Me neither. But

filled t

she asked, "A

I thought about lying. But this w

" I ad

and squeezed my han

ghed. "You k

igh. "I hate this. I hate

to