The dim light from the cracked parking garage entrance cast long shadows across the concrete floor. Jace Monroe stood just a few feet away, his stance deceptively relaxed, one hand resting on the strap of his rifle. He was lean but strong, his dark tactical vest hanging loose over a faded black T-shirt, his jeans torn and stained with old blood. His face was a mask of amusement, but Mari knew better. Jace never smiled unless he was already three steps ahead of everyone else.
Mari tightened her grip on the crowbar. The cold steel pressed against her palm, grounding her. She kept her breathing steady, her stance firm, but her mind was already running through every possible escape route.
Jace tilted his head, eyes flicking between her and Dakota. "So," he said, voice smooth as ever. "What's it been, Wilson? A year? Two?"
Mari didn't answer. Didn't move.
"Didn't think you'd last this long." He glanced down at Mari, his smirk deepening. "And look at you, still picking up wounded animals. You always had a thing for lost causes."
Dakota shifted beside her. Lena could feel his tension, the way his muscles coiled, ready to spring. But he was in no shape for a fight. If he tried anything, he'd just get himself killed.
Jace took a slow step forward.
Mari lifted the crowbar slightly, just enough to make it clear she wouldn't go down easy.
Jace chuckled. "Relax, Wilson. If I wanted you dead, you'd already be bleeding out on the concrete."
"That supposed to be comforting?" Mari asked, her voice cold.
Jace's smirk didn't waver. "It's supposed to mean I'm here for a conversation."
Mari didn't believe him for a second. Jace Monroe didn't waste time on words unless he thought they would get him something.
Still, she needed information.
"How did you find us?" she asked.
Jace shrugged. "Didn't. Just happened to be passing through, saw movement in the garage. Figured I'd check it out. Imagine my surprise." His eyes flicked back to Dakota. "And who's this?"
Dakota met Jace's gaze without flinching. "Kota."
Jace raised an eyebrow. "Kota. And what exactly do you bring to the table, Kota?"
Dakota didn't answer right away. He shifted slightly, adjusting the strap of his guitar, wincing as he moved. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he unslung the instrument from his back and let it rest against the ground beside him.
Jace blinked. Then he laughed.
Mari felt Dakota tense beside her, but she put a hand on his arm before he could react.
Jace wiped at his mouth, still grinning. "Jesus. A goddamn musician?" He shook his head, amused. "Wilson, you really do collect the weirdest strays."
Mari ignored him. "What do you want, Jace?"
Jace sighed, as if bored. "Same thing I always want. Resources. Information. Power." He spread his hands. "You know how this works."
Mari narrowed her eyes. "You have enough supplies to last months. You wouldn't be out here scavenging unless you were looking for something specific."
Jace's grin faded slightly. "Maybe. And maybe I heard a little rumor about a research bunker in this area."
Mari kept her expression blank, but inside, her pulse quickened.
The bunker. He knew.
Jace was watching her carefully, reading her silence. "Ah," he said softly. "So you have heard something."
Mari clenched her jaw. "And what if I have?"
Jace's smile returned, but it was sharper now. "Then maybe we can make a deal."
Dakota spoke for the first time. "A deal?"
Jace turned his attention back to him. "That's right, Rockstar. You two help me find the bunker, and I let you walk away. Simple."
Mari let out a dry laugh. "Yeah, I'm sure you'll be so generous once we hand it over."
Jace sighed, shaking his head. "You wounded me, Wilson I mean, yeah, I could just kill you both and search for it myself, but that'd be messy. And frankly, I'm tired." His eyes gleamed. "Besides, I get the feeling you need what's inside that bunker."
Mari's blood went cold.
He knew. He didn't know everything, but he knew enough.
She couldn't let him get there first.
Mari glanced at Dakota. His face was unreadable, but she could tell his mind was working just as fast as hers. He knew they were outnumbered, outgunned. A direct flight wasn't an option.
So they needed to play along. For now.
Mari turned back to Jace. "Fine," she said. "We'll take you there."
Dakota stiffened beside her, but he didn't argue.
Jace's smirk widened. "See? That wasn't so hard."
Mari took a step forward, meeting his gaze without flinching. "But let's get one thing straight," she said. "If you screw us over, I will put a bullet between your eyes."
Jace grinned. "Damn, Wilson. I almost missed you."
Mari didn't smile. "Let's move."
She turned and walked toward the garage exit without looking back. Dakota followed, his steps slightly uneven but steady.
Behind them, Jace and his men moved like shadows, their presence a constant weight pressing against Mari's back.
She had just made a deal with the devil.
Now, she had to figure out how to break it before it killed them.