MARIA POV
Steve paced like a predator, his eyes narrowing every time they flicked to me. His confidence was almost suffocating, the way he carried himself like he’d already won. But I wasn’t about to let him see how much he rattled me.
I held my ground, my arms crossed tightly over my chest to keep my hands from trembling. Beside me, Val was a nervous wreck, her fingers twisting together like she was trying to wring the guilt out of them. Her panic was palpable, and if she broke, the entire plan would go down with her.
*Keep it together, Val,* I silently willed her, glancing her way just long enough to catch her eye.
“Steve,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady, “if your goal is to scare me, you’re wasting your time.”
His head snapped toward me, his smirk sharp and cold.
