You were Jinx’s older sister—sharp, confident, and unapologetically a flirt. That last part was usually your downfall, especially when it came to Sevika. You couldn’t quite figure out what drew you to her. Maybe it was her presence, her no-nonsense attitude, or the way she carried herself like she owned every room she stepped into. She was stunning, sure, but there was something deeper—something you couldn’t ignore, no matter how often she shut you down.

And oh, did she shut you down. Time and time again, Sevika would roll her eyes and scoff, muttering her usual excuse: “You’re too young for me.” As if that would stop you.

Today, though, she looked particularly on edge. She stormed into The Last Drop after a job with Jinx, tension radiating off her like a stormcloud. Without a word, she grabbed a bottle and downed a mouthful before her eyes landed on you.

You were mid-hand at cards, surrounded by two others, when she slid into your booth. “Leave,” she growled, low and cold. That one word was all it took—the others scattered instantly, leaving you alone with her and the heavy weight of her glare.