NO WAY OUT

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken threats.

Chloe didn't move, didn't flinch, even as Viktor's piercing gaze locked onto her like a predator sizing up its prey. She had known this moment would come eventually—Viktor wasn't the type to let a suspicion die. But she wasn't about to let him corner her.

Milan exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. "Careful, Viktor."

Viktor smirked, but there was no humor in it. "You think I'm wrong?"

Milan swirled the whiskey in his glass before taking a slow sip. Then, his gaze flicked to Chloe. "Are you?"

It wasn't an accusation. It was an invitation. A test.

Chloe met his eyes, steady and sure. "If you believed that, I wouldn't still be standing here."

Milan tilted his head, considering. Viktor, however, wasn't convinced.

"You have to admit, it's strange," Viktor continued, circling her like a shark. "A journalist suddenly appearing in our world, always in the right place at the right time. Winning a poker game she had no business playing in." He leaned in slightly. "What are the odds?"

Chloe let out a soft, amused breath. "You think I cheated?"

"I think you're good at pretending," Viktor said. "But everyone slips up eventually."

Milan's lips twitched. "Then why don't we give her another chance to prove herself?"

Chloe kept her expression cool, but internally, she braced herself.

Viktor folded his arms. "What do you have in mind?"

Milan took another sip of his drink, then set it down with deliberate ease. "There's a job happening tomorrow night. A delivery. If Chloe is as fearless as she claims, she'll handle it."

A small spike of adrenaline coursed through her. A job? He was throwing her into something real—something criminal.

Viktor raised a brow. "And if she doesn't?"

Milan's gaze darkened. "Then she doesn't belong here."

Chloe knew what that meant. She had no choice but to play along.

So she smiled, stepping even closer to Milan, brushing her fingers lightly over his jacket. "Tell me where to be."

Milan studied her for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. Then, he smirked.

"Tomorrow. Midnight. Don't be late."

Chloe turned slightly, locking eyes with Viktor one last time. He was still watching her, waiting for her to crack.

But she wouldn't.

Because if she did, she wouldn't get another chance.