MasukANYTAâS POVThe glow of the computer screen cast muted blue light over my fingers as I scrolled through listings.Auctions, blogs, social media posts which I was beginning to think were engagement baits, archivesâŠmore auctions.I pressed my fingers to my forehead as I narrowed my tired eyes a bit, briefly wondering whether to get anti-blue light glasses.I was scrolling through and checking out anything that might hold a more detailed information than some random articles with vague descriptions.Right now I was on Reddit. And besides a few jumpscare posts about Everett and our club incident from months ago, it was mostly a peaceful surf.The scent of garlic and cream hit me just before a plate slid gently onto the table in front of me.Pasta Alfredo.I looked up just in time to see Grandma Joâs hands resting briefly on my shoulders, squeezing affection into my bones the way only she could.âWhat are you doing?â she asked, peering down at the screen with curiosity that was more fond t
CLAYâS POVI pressed a finger to the almost invisible earpiece tucked against the shell of my ear and grumbled, âPhil, for the third time, send me the combination for the lock. Right now.âThere was a pause on the line, followed by an unmistakable crunchy, chewing sound.âYou need to relax,â Phil said stuffily around what sounded like chips. âIâm literally about to send it.âI clenched my jaw. âIf you donât stop eating in my ear, I swear Iâll whoop your ass the second Iâm out of this.âHe laughed, completely unbothered. âYou say that every time. And you never do.ââThatâs because I keep forgiving your nonsense. Stop stuffing your face and do your job!.ââIâm literally just having my first snack of the day,â he said cheerfully. âCheck your phone.âI shifted my weight, back pressed to the concrete wall of the corridor.My senses were alert despite the casual tone of the conversation.This wasnât a place for mistakes. The hum of a generator was low and constant, the air cooler than it sh
SIENNAâS POVâFuck,â I swore under my breath as I stumbled on my feet. Grabbing the balustrade, I steadied myself then sighed.The aroma of food was heavier downstairs, and I followed it.The new cook stood at the island, her back to me.Shifting, I folded my arms over my chests, and propped one bare feet up by the heel as I watched her.Her shoulders broad and relaxed as she worked. The kitchen smelled even richer and warmer. I was almost sure it was onions caramelizing slowly in the pan on top of the cooker.I don't know what gave my presence away but the cook suddenly paused and turned her head. Our eyes locked and I smiled.âHello ma'am,â she beamed, then turned back to washing and cutting up a vegetable I couldn't name.I watched her for a moment before speaking.âWhatâs your name?âShe glanced over her shoulder again , then turned fully, wiping her hands on a cloth.She was older than me by at least a decade, her hair pulled back into a neat knot behind her head. And her eyes we
EVERETTâS POVLiaâs hand was tucked neatly into the crook of my arm as I walked us through the agency's main entrance.Her fingers curled just tight enough to signal nerves, but not enough to slow me down.The lobby smelled like a mix of expensive perfume and floral air freshener. And the glasses looked spotlessly clean.My eyes found Anyta instantly.She sat at the front desk, her spine straight. Her expression had already started to harden the moment she saw me.God, she still did that thing when she was botheredâŠchin lifting a fraction and her eyes sharpening like blades.I bit the inside of my cheeks to hide a smile.Anyta's glare couldâve cut glass, so I blew her a kiss just to be an asshole.Her lips pressed into a thin line before she lowered her gaze to her computer.Satisfaction unfurled in my chest.Good. As long as she still gave me a reaction, whether good or bad, then she was still mine in some way.Lia squeezed my arm. âIs that her?ââYes,â I said lightly. âMy ex-wife.â
ANYTA'S POVâIâm not,â I answered too quickly, locking my phone without responding, and sliding it face-down on the table.Laura leaned forward, squinting at me. âYou so are. You look like a kid who got caught stealing from the cookie jar.ââYou'd know all about that, wouldn't you?â I teased, rolling my eyes.âDonât try to deflect,â she replied, even as an amused grin spread across her face. âSo. Spill.ââSpill what?â I took a big sip of my lemonade.âWhy the hell are you blushing like that, Anyta??ââMaybe because sheâs thinking about me?âLaura and I both turned at the sudden interruption from the male voice.I pushed the mouthful of lemonade down my throat and opened my mouth to respond, but he smiled and said, âI'm so, so sorry for the interruption.âHis smile turned upside down as he shrugged,âand the not so smoothâŠpick up line. I'm a bit of a novice with that.âLaura snickered, and I turned my head to look at her, and immediately regretted it. Because for some reason, seeing he
ANYTAâS POVI sat across from Laura at the little bistro two streets away from the agency.It was my favourite one so far, mainly because of the uneven tables and the chalkboard menu that seemed like they'd been there since the business started. I found itâŠwhimsical.My salad sat untouched in front of me, condensation beading on the glass of lemonade beside it, while Laura animatedly waved her fork in the air like a conductorâs baton.âWe definitely should go to the club this weekend or at least do something fun to celebrate our friendship,â she stuffed her mouth, then wiggled her eyebrows.âYou might not see me again,â she sing-songed.I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head as I reached for my drink. âAnd why is that?âLaura shrugged, âYou don't know? Lucille and I are going on a trip. She might finally get tired of putting up with my nonsense and murder me.âMy cheeks ballooned as I held back my amusement. There was nothing funny about murder, hypothetical or not.Instead, I cleare







