The cell door clanged shut behind me, the sound echoing down the tier like a warning. I’d told myself I was ready for this, that weeks of prep would be enough, but standing in front of them was different. Files and mugshots hadn’t done justice to the reality of Marco and Rafael Cortez.
Marco sat on the lower bunk, broad shoulders relaxed, dark eyes locked on me with a weight that made my chest tight. Rafael leaned against the wall, arms folded, smirk cutting across his face like he already owned me.
I swallowed, forcing myself to keep steady. Blend in. Get close. Find their weakness. That’s all this is.
“Fresh meat,” Rafael said, pushing off the wall, circling me with the kind of slow confidence that made the air heavy. “Pretty fresh meat, too.”
My pulse jumped, stupid and reckless, an
