Page 16 of Forged

I give in with a tired sigh and switch to video. Her face fills the screen—perfectly styled silver hair, muted magenta lipstick, dressed in a silk robe like she’s hosting a brunch instead of interrogating me. Her eyes narrow on me.

“Tilt your head.”

“No.”

She arches her brow. “You’re making this worse than it has to be.”

I tilt my head slightly, hoping to hide the evidence while satisfying her request.

Her gasp is sharp. “Is that a bruise?”

“It’s nothing.”

“That is not nothing,” she says, delighted. “You have a sex bruise!”

I cringe. “Don’t call it?—”

She cuts me off. “First night in Austin and you’re already wearing souvenirs. I left you alone for five minutes.”

“It was one night,” I say flatly.

“Mm,” she hums. “And will there be another one of these so-called one nights?”

“That’s none of your business,” I answer, because I’m not sure it will be one night if I have my way.

Her smile sharpens. “Interesting.”

“Don’t start.”

“I won’t,” she promises. “For now, at least.” Her gaze softens just a touch. “Be careful, Lars. Have you properly vetted her? Where did you meet her?”

“Vi, one night doesn’t call for a full shake down. We had fun, that’s all it will be.”

“Good,” she says, then smiles again. “Call me later. Preferably when you’re showered and unmarked. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Vi.”

I end the call before she can say anything else.

The coffee maker beeps. I pour a cup, dark and black, and lean against the counter. I need a shower and I only have an hour before my first meeting.

I completely dismiss the thought that I will see her again in a few days.

Thankfully,the shower cleared my head. Now focused, I walk to the desk in the makeshift office set up in the spare room, set the mug beside my laptop and flip it open.

New files wait in the encrypted folder Cash sent last night. I open it and press play on a video file.

The screen goes dark, then fills with grainy night-vision footage. It’s set in an alleyway filled with dumpsters and the back door of a Maravilla stash house. A single outdoor light illuminates the scene.

Nothing happens for a few seconds then a man stumbles into frame, clutching his throat. Blood sprays between his fingers.

Sera Corrigan appears right behind him.

She kicks his knee, forcing him down, then ruthlessly slides her blade across his throat again.

He falls and she follows him to the ground, crouching beside him as if listening for his last breath.

Then she reaches into her jacket and pulls out her calling card.