Page 57 of Veil of Secrets

With fury.

Nico walks toward the ledge.

Doesn’t speak.

I round on him. “You believe this?”

His eyes meet mine.

“No,” he says.

But the pause is too long.

My chest tightens. “Say it like you mean it.”

“I don’t believe it,” he repeats.

“But…”

“But I know Vince. He wouldn’t bring that unless he planned to use it.”

I stare at him.

Hard.

“You think I’m the weak link?”

“No.”

“You think I’m being played?”

“I think we both are.”

My mouth opens.

Then closes.

Because I want to believe him.

But I know poison when I taste it—and Vince left enough behind to make me wonder if Nico’s started sipping too.

I step back.

Hands on my hips.

“Why bring it to me?” I ask. “Why not just plant it with the others?”

“Because he wants you to react. To break pattern.”

I laugh once. Cold.

“Well. Congrats. I’m fucking reacting.”

He looks at me.

Really looks.

Then closes the space.

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