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“Technically, the Viper is in their territory,” he said. I knew a little about them. “Skilled” was an understatement when it came to describing The Miami Knives. They were a network of shadows, slipping through Miami’s underbelly with the kind of ease that only came from years of running the streets.
“You’re related to him?” I asked. That little bit of information had blown my mind.
“Yeah, his mom was my aunt,” Teo said. “Anyway, Bash will help. They’re family. I’m sure they don’t like having the Viper around any. Bad for business.”
Teo’s proposition made more sense as I considered the violent family ties and the underworld politics we were dealing with. The Miami Knives had been around for a while, and I knew they were ruthless. I didn’t like the idea of relying on another criminal organization, but we didn’t have much time. We needed to act fast.
“Call him,” I said, surprising even myself with the decisiveness in my tone. “We need all the help we can get.”
Teo pulled out his phone and stepped into the next room, his voice a low murmur as he dialed Bash. It took him a little while, but he finally stepped back through the door and nodded. “Bash says he knows a little about this and he’s happy to help, but they’re in the middle of something, so they can only spare themselves for a little while.”
“That’s fine. We only need a little while,” Victor said. “Go in, make sure he doesn’t know we are coming, and kill him.”
As Jace handed Teo his phone, I felt a mix of relief and dread. We finally had some help, but it came with a price. The Miami Knives were notorious for their ruthless tactics, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they would be as loyal to us as we needed them to be. Then again, it turned out I knew very little about this world. They might be the nicest people in the world.
“Alright,” Grayson said, his voice steady despite the situation. “Let’s hope they can get the job done before it’s too late.”
We started to plan again. This time, we wouldn’t go in blind. We had a better understanding of where the Viper’s cabin was in the Everglades, and we could be far more inconspicuous. As we began devising a plan, Jace pulled out a map and started marking key locations and potential escape routes. Victor watched him closely, nodding in agreement as Jace made sure to cover all angles. Grayson stood behind Jace, offering input and ideas of his own. I hung back, trying to process what had just happened in the room. What had just happened in my fucking life.
“I need a minute,” I said again. “I’m just...going upstairs.”
They all looked at each other, not one of them saying a thing. I hurriedly left the room, my mind reeling with the new information and the implications it held. I needed some air, I needed to clear my head. As I climbed the stairs, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that settled in my stomach. I hadn’t really dwelled on whether I knew what I was getting into when I joined the Mercy Blades, but I now understood that the stakes were much higher than I had ever imagined.
At the top of the staircase, I found my way to the balcony, leaning against the cold railing as I gazed out at the city below. It was dark outside, and the lights of the skyscrapers twinkled like stars, a stark contrast to the chaos I felt inside. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. My past with the Mercy Blades had been filled with uncertainty and risk, but now, it seemed like our solutions were getting murkier and more dangerous.
I knew their lives were dangerous. They were criminals.
But it felt like since I had been in their lives, things had gotten even more dangerous. It scared me to think thatIwas the danger.
I sighed, closing and opening my eyes and focusing on the water below me. The light was changing, reflecting off the water in a way that was mesmerizing. I stood there for a moment, just watching as the light danced around the building.
Footsteps approached me. I didn’t turn around.
“Sofia?” Victor called out. “Do you want company?”
I shrugged.
“Sure, whatever.”
Victor appeared beside me, leaning against the railing as well. We stood in silence for a moment, both lost in our thoughts. “I’m not going to ask if you’re okay.”
“Don’t,” I said. “I’m not doing great.”
He nodded. “I get it. This situation is a mess. And you’ve been through more than you should have to.”
I turned to look at him. “But you’re okay with this.”
“Okay is pretty strong,” he replied. “I’m dealing with it.”
“This is what we do, right?” I said, trying to convince myself as much as Victor. “I thought I was prepared, but I’m not sure I am.”
He gave me a small smile. “You’ll find your footing sooner or later, Sofia. You already have,” he said. “Listen, when the...when I was in surgery, after the run-in with the viper’s cronies, something happened.”
I turned to look at him. “What happened?”
“It’s become a little hazy with time,” he replied. “The longer that passes, the harder it is to remember. I guess it must have been a dream? It felt more like a vision.”
“Was it like your life playing in front of your face?”
