15.

Zee felt the weight of her decision settle over her as she walked away from the docks, her footsteps echoing in the silence. She'd just crossed a line, made a deal that changed everything. She wasn't just working for herself anymore; she was tied to a new power now, someone who could help her move beyond K-Boss's reach—if she could hold up her end of the bargain.

Her new partner hadn't given her a name. He didn't need to. His reputation spoke for itself, a shadow that lingered over every whispered conversation in the underworld. People knew him only as The Broker—a man with no allegiance, no loyalties, only a ruthless focus on power and profit. And now, for better or worse, Zee was his partner.

She made her way back to her cousin's garage, slipping inside and locking the door behind her. The hum of the 3D printer greeted her, the only sound breaking the silence. She slumped into a chair, her mind racing as she replayed the conversation with The Broker.

His words echoed in her mind: "Protection comes with a price. No second thoughts." She knew what that meant. She was all in now, whether she liked it or not. And the only way to stay alive was to stay ahead, to keep moving, keep building her operation until K-Boss and Breezy had no choice but to back off—or risk going up against a power they couldn't control.

Her phone buzzed, and she pulled it out, half-expecting a message from Breezy or K-Boss. But it was Liana.

Liana: "You good? Haven't heard from you."

Zee sighed, her thumb hovering over the screen. She wanted to reply, to reassure her friend, but what could she say? That everything was under control? That she wasn't tangled up in something way bigger than she could handle? It would be a lie, and Liana knew her well enough to sense it.

Instead, she typed out a quick reply, keeping it vague. Zee: "Busy. Will catch up soon."

She set the phone aside, the tension settling back over her like a weight. Liana had been her friend since day one, her partner in the hustle, but there were things even she couldn't know. Not now. Not when everything was so fragile.

The next few days passed in a blur of quiet meetings and late-night deliveries, each move calculated to keep her operation running smoothly. The Broker's connections opened doors she'd never thought possible—new buyers, new suppliers, people who didn't just want switches but were willing to pay top dollar for them. And with each successful transaction, Zee felt her grip on the game tighten. She was no longer just surviving; she was thriving, building something that even K-Boss couldn't touch.

But with every move she made, she knew Breezy was watching. She could feel his eyes on her, his suspicion growing with each passing day. She'd managed to keep him at bay for now, but she knew it wouldn't last. Sooner or later, he'd find something, a slip-up, a loose end. And when he did, he'd be ready to take her down.

Late one night, as she was locking up the garage, she spotted a figure lurking in the shadows across the street. She tensed, her hand drifting to the Glock tucked into her waistband. But as the figure stepped into the dim light of the streetlamp, she recognized the face.

Breezy.

He was leaning against a street sign, his gaze fixed on her, his expression cold and unreadable. She'd known he was watching, but seeing him here, so close, sent a chill down her spine.

She crossed the street, her jaw clenched as she approached him. "What are you doing here, Breezy?"

Breezy smirked, but there was no warmth in it. "Just keeping an eye on things. You been moving a lot lately, Zee. K-Boss is wondering if you're getting ideas."

Zee met his gaze, refusing to back down. "I'm doing my job. Ain't nothing for K-Boss to worry about."

Breezy took a step closer, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper. "See, that's the thing. K-Boss don't like it when his people get too independent. Makes him nervous. And when he's nervous…" He let the sentence hang, the threat clear.

Zee felt her hand tighten around the Glock, her pulse pounding. She could take him out right now, end the threat, but she knew that would only make things worse. Breezy was just the messenger, a reminder that K-Boss was watching, waiting for her to slip.

"What are you trying to say, Breezy?" she asked, keeping her tone steady.

Breezy chuckled, a dark, hollow sound. "I'm saying, watch yourself, Zee. You might think you're untouchable, but K-Boss has ways of dealing with people who get out of line."

Zee forced herself to stay calm, to keep her expression blank. She couldn't let him see the fear, the doubt. She had to stay strong, to show him that she wasn't afraid.

"I'm doing my job," she repeated, her voice cold. "If K-Boss got a problem with that, he can tell me himself."

Breezy's smirk faded, his gaze hardening. "He will. And when he does, you better hope you got a good answer."

With that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows, leaving her standing alone in the street. Zee watched him go, a knot of fear twisting in her stomach. Breezy was right—K-Boss wouldn't tolerate disloyalty. And now, with her new alliance, she was walking a dangerous line.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. She couldn't let Breezy or K-Boss scare her. She had The Broker on her side now, a new source of power, a way to level the playing field. But she knew it wouldn't be enough. Not if Breezy was watching her every move, waiting for her to make a mistake.

As she headed back to the garage, her mind raced, plotting her next steps. She needed to stay ahead, to keep moving, to outsmart them both. And she knew just where to start.

She pulled out her phone and dialed The Broker's number, her heart pounding as she waited for him to pick up. After a few rings, he answered, his voice smooth and calm.

"Zee. What's on your mind?"

"I need to make a move," she said, her voice steady. "Breezy's onto me. If I don't get him off my back, this whole thing falls apart."

There was a pause on the other end, and then The Broker chuckled. "So, you need a distraction. Something to keep Breezy occupied while you handle your business."

"Exactly," Zee replied, her mind racing. "Something big. Something that'll make him forget all about me."

The Broker's tone shifted, a hint of intrigue in his voice. "I think I can arrange that. But remember, Zee—everything has a price."

Zee took a deep breath, nodding. "I understand. Just tell me what you need."

The Broker's voice softened, a hint of approval in his tone. "Good. I'll be in touch."

The line went dead, and Zee slipped her phone back into her pocket, her mind buzzing with possibilities. She'd just put her fate in The Broker's hands, trusted him with her survival. It was a risk, but it was the only move she had left.

As she made her way back to the garage, the weight of her choices settled over her, heavy and suffocating. She was in deep now, tied to a power she couldn't control, a game she couldn't win alone. But she wasn't alone. Not anymore.

And for the first time, she felt like she might actually have a chance.