The night was colder than usual. Aster leaned against the window of his room, staring out at the darkened streets. His mind was restless, replaying everything that had happened today.
Jaxon's words echoed in his head.
"Collaway knows."
"Things are about to get worse."
Aster exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. It wasn't like he hadn't expected this. They had pulled off something big—getting Rina out right under Collaway's nose. It was only a matter of time before he retaliated.
And yet…
Jaxon's warning felt different.
Like he knew something they didn't.
Aster's fingers curled into a fist against the windowpane. He hated this. Hated waiting for the inevitable. Collaway wasn't the kind of man to sit back and let things slip from his grasp. He would strike back, and when he did, it wouldn't be subtle.
There was a knock on his door.
He didn't look away from the window. "Yeah?"
The door creaked open, and Rea stepped in, arms crossed. "Are you just gonna stare at the street all night, or are you actually planning on sleeping?"
Aster smirked slightly but didn't turn around. "Didn't realize I had a curfew."
Rea sighed, walking closer. "You're thinking about Jaxon."
Aster finally turned, raising an eyebrow. "You sound jealous."
Rea rolled her eyes. "I'm serious."
Aster's smirk faded. He pushed away from the window and sat on the edge of his bed. "Yeah. I guess I am."
Rea sat next to him, nudging his arm. "He hit you pretty hard."
Aster chuckled. "I think he's been waiting to do that for years."
Rea smirked. "You probably deserved it."
Aster shrugged. "Maybe."
They sat in silence for a moment.
Then Rea spoke again, quieter this time. "Do you think he's really on our side?"
Aster leaned back against the bed, staring at the ceiling. "I think Jaxon's on his own side. But that doesn't mean we can't use it."
Rea frowned. "You make it sound like we're manipulating him."
Aster glanced at her. "Aren't we?"
Rea hesitated. "Maybe. But it's different when it's family."
Aster let out a bitter laugh. "You think Jaxon and I are family?"
Rea's gaze was steady. "Aster, you already know the answer to that."
He did.
He just didn't want to say it.
A knock interrupted them again, this time from the front door.
Aster and Rea immediately exchanged a look.
No one should be visiting them this late.
Aster stood, already reaching for the knife hidden under his pillow. Rea moved quietly behind him, both of them slipping into the hallway.
Another knock. Louder this time.
Aster peered through the peephole.
And his stomach dropped.
"Shit."
Rea tensed. "What?"
Aster stepped back, gripping his knife tighter. "It's Jaxon."
Rea blinked. "Seriously?"
The knocking became impatient.
Aster exhaled sharply before unlocking the door. "You have a habit of showing up uninvited, you know that?"
Jaxon stepped inside without waiting for permission, his face set in a grim expression. "Shut up and listen."
Aster narrowed his eyes. "I don't take orders from you."
Jaxon ignored him. His gaze flickered to Rea briefly before settling back on Aster. "Collaway's moving faster than I thought. He already suspects me."
Aster's grip tightened on his knife. "How do you know?"
Jaxon's jaw clenched. "Because he just ordered me to kill you."
Silence.
Rea inhaled sharply.
Aster, to his own surprise, just smirked. "Wow. I should feel honored."
Jaxon glared at him. "I'm serious."
"So am I," Aster shot back. "It means he sees me as a threat."
Jaxon's expression darkened. "No, idiot. It means he's going to send someone else if I don't do it."
Rea frowned. "Are you saying you're refusing?"
Jaxon's eye twitched. "What do you think?"
Aster tilted his head. "I think Collaway doesn't take betrayal lightly. And if he knows you're hesitating, you're already in trouble."
Jaxon exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I can handle myself."
Aster smirked. "Then why are you here?"
Jaxon's expression hardened. "Because I need your help."
That wiped the smirk off Aster's face.
He narrowed his eyes. "You, Jaxon Westwood, need my help?"
Jaxon's jaw tightened. "Shut up."
Rea raised an eyebrow. "Help with what?"
Jaxon hesitated. Then, finally, he spoke.
"I know where Collaway is keeping his next target. Someone important. And if we don't get to them first, they're dead."
Aster and Rea exchanged a look.
Jaxon's voice was low but firm. "Are you in, or not?"
Aster smirked again, but this time, there was something dangerous behind it.
"You already know the answer to that."