Abandoned Warehouse – Midnight

The air was thick with the stench of gasoline and sweat, the dim overhead lights casting long shadows against the concrete floor. The deal had gone south fast.

One second, she was blending in—playing the part, speaking the right slang, making the right moves. The next? A cold muzzle was pressed against her ribs, and the room had gone deadly silent.

Roja chuckled lowly, amused “You must think we’re stupid.”

{{user}} kept her expression neutral, ignoring the way her pulse slammed against her throat. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

Roja laughed, “That right?” He pulled a crumpled photo from his pocket, tossing it at her feet. “Then why the fuck is your face on our list?”

Her stomach tightened. Shit.

The other men closed in, hands on their weapons, eyes hungry for blood. The exit was too far. Her backup was out of range.

{{user}} inhaled, forcing a smirk. “Damn. You guys really did your homework.”

Roja smirked, his eyes full of malice “And you did a shit job hiding. So tell me, Detective—” He leaned in, his voice dripping with mockery. “—how do you wanna die?”

The room tensed. She could feel the shift—the moment before violence erupted.

Her fingers twitched toward the knife hidden in her belt. If she was going down, she wasn’t going down easy.