LISA’S POV
For one sharp, frozen second, no one spoke.
Tony’s lips parted—no sound came out.
Valarie’s smile collapsed into a thin, brittle line, her confidence draining like cheap perfume.
Melanie?
She stayed perfectly still beside me.
Silent.
Exactly how I wanted her.
I let the moment stretch. Let the tension coil tight enough to snap.
Because this wasn’t just about threats anymore.
This was about control.
And tonight?
Control belonged to me.
I picked up the flash drive again, rolling it between my fingers like it was nothing more than a toy.
But they knew better.
They knew.
“You’re bluffing,” Tony finally rasped, his eyes narrowing into hard slits.
I tilted my head.
“Am I?”
Valarie shifted on the couch, crossing her legs, but I caught the tremble in her thigh.
Good.
