on Dante, who sat across from her with a casual demeanor that belied the tension in the air. The men around the

fingers lightly on the surface of the table. "I've given you the terms, Aria

learned quickly that showing fear or hesitation in front of Dante would be a weakness he wo

ng about?" she asked, her voice ste

ly. "We both know you didn't choose this life. But now that you're in it, you need to prove that you're willing

magined. The test wasn't just about her ability to do the job he had given her-it was about her ability to make the same ki

g out before she could stop them. It was a questi

t's ours. But there are others who want it." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "You'll need to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands

option would be-something that would test her loyalty in a way she wasn't

n?" she asked, her voice

Helping the other side take control of the shipment. If you do that, you'll have earned your place in the

she couldn't afford to fail this test, but she also knew that Dante was pl

e said, his voice low. "The shipment arrives in a

, their faces impassive, waiting for her to make her move. She could feel their expectations weighing on h

asked-take control of the shipment, ensure it stayed in their hands. But there was a part of her that wan

d built? The consequences of that choice could be deadly

voice steady despite the uncertainty

something cold in his eyes. "Good.

-

e shipment was supposed to arrive, but the uncertainty gnawed at her. The plan was simple-get in, make sure the shipment stayed with

he seconds ticking down.

from the shadows. It was the same man who had escorted her earlier. His face remained im

id as he reached her. "We just

and the faint scent of metal and oil filled the air. She could feel the weight of the decision she ha

nger, darker, as if the walls themselves were closing in on her. Then, just as the clock st

kened. The moment o