Visionary and executioner. The roles settled over us naturally.
“Of course,” I replied while typing. “And we’ll need whoever supplied it.”
“That goes without saying.” Calix waved a dismissive hand, like torture and interrogation were inevitable conclusions. “Manshu’s too arrogant to keep his mouth shut for long.”
A humorless smile tugged at his mouth.
“He won one race and suddenly thinks he’s untouchable.” His eyes darkened. “We’ll use that.”
“The next race.”
Both of us turned toward Olivia.
She’d pushed herself upright now, shoulders still tense but steadier than before. One shaky breath left her before she clasped her hands tightly together and looked directly at Calix.
“You should spread the rumor that you’re going.” Calix stopped pacing, and Olivia’s eyes sharpened as the pieces clicked together inside her head.
“Tell everyone you’re planning to put him in his place.” Her lips curled faintly with disgust. “He won’t be able to resist showing off.”
Her gaze drifted upward thoughtfully.
“He’ll want an audience. He’ll want everyone watching when he tries to humiliate you.” Her jaw tightened. “He’ll wait until the last lap to build suspense and make it dramatic.”
Calix rubbed his chin while considering it.
I lowered my phone and looked at her fully. Olivia sat straighter now, determination pushing past the lingering fear.
“Lure him away from everyone,” she said firmly. “Get him alone.” Her fingers curled into fists. “Then take the weapon and beat the information out of him.”
A grin slowly spread across Calix’s face. Sharp and dangerous?
“That,” he said softly, “sounds fun.”
I exhaled through my nose, already mentally arranging security routes and escape points.
“There’s only one problem,” I said. “How do we get him alone?”
“That’s where I come in.”
The room went dead silent.
My head snapped toward her so fast my neck cracked loudly.
“No.”
“He thinks I’m dead,” she pressed. “If he sees me alive, he’ll follow me.”
“No.”
“He’ll want to know how I survived?—”
“I saidno.”
The growl tore out of me hard enough to vibrate through the room.
Olivia stiffened at the sound, but she didn’t back down. Didn’t shrink. Didn’t look away. Somehow, that only made the panic inside me worse.
Absolutely fucking not.
