The hours dragged by, thick with tension. No one really slept. Aster had stationed himself by the window, watching the deserted street outside. Jaxon paced like a caged animal, occasionally checking his gun or flipping his knife between his fingers. Rea sat on the old couch, arms crossed, glancing between everyone.
Christy, meanwhile, lounged in a chair, looking far too comfortable for someone who had just been rescued from a hellhole. She had cleaned herself up, changed into fresh clothes, and now sat sipping coffee like this was just another morning.
Aster finally broke the silence. "So, what exactly did you do to make Collaway lock you up?"
Christy smirked over the rim of her mug. "Tried to kill him."
Rea blinked. "Seriously?"
Christy shrugged. "What can I say? He had it coming."
Aster let out a low whistle. "And here I thought I was reckless."
Jaxon shot Christy a look. "You never told me that."
She took another sip of coffee. "You never asked."
Jaxon's jaw clenched. "When?"
"Years ago," Christy said, setting her mug down. "Celeste and I were on opposite sides, as usual. She was loyal to Westwood, and I—well, let's just say I had my own ideas. Collaway offered me a deal once. I played along, got close, and when the time was right—" She mimed a gun with her fingers, aiming at her own head. "Boom."
Aster raised a brow. "Let me guess. It didn't work."
Christy snorted. "Clearly. He saw it coming. Turned the tables on me, had me locked up before I could make another move."
Rea frowned. "If he knew you were a threat, why didn't he just kill you?"
Christy's smirk faded slightly. "Because I know things."
Jaxon's gaze darkened. "What things?"
Christy leaned forward, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "Things about Collaway. His plans. His weaknesses. And most importantly—his real enemy."
Aster frowned. "You mean Westwood?"
Christy shook her head. "No. Bigger than Westwood. Bigger than all of us."
Before anyone could press further, headlights flashed outside.
Jaxon was already moving. "They're here."
Aster checked his gun. "Finally."
Rea followed Jaxon to the door, but not before giving Christy a suspicious glance. There was more she wasn't saying.
And Rea intended to find out what.
---
Celeste and Andrew stepped inside cautiously, scanning the room as if expecting an ambush. Their eyes landed on Christy, and the air immediately turned sharp.
"Of course, it's you," Celeste muttered, crossing her arms.
Christy grinned. "Missed me?"
Celeste exhaled sharply. "Not even for a second."
Andrew stepped between them. "Enough. We have bigger things to deal with."
Jaxon nodded. "Collaway."
Andrew's expression turned grim. "He's making his move soon. We don't have much time."
Celeste eyed Christy. "And what exactly is she doing here?"
Jaxon met her gaze. "She's with us."
Celeste scoffed. "Since when?"
Christy smirked. "Since you idiots left me to rot in a cell."
Andrew pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright, enough. We're all here. Now, someone tell me—what's the plan?"
Silence stretched between them.
Then Christy, still smiling, leaned forward. "Simple. We kill Collaway."
Aster grinned. "Now that is a plan I can get behind."