The night outside was heavy, the air almost humming with the kind of silence that warns you something is coming.
Zulfishan sat on the edge of the couch, fingers tight around the USB. It felt heavier than it should, like it was pulling her down.
Aabi was pacing. “We need to use it to pull them out. Make them come to us.”
Raheel leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “That’s the fastest way to see who’s running this. But it’s also the fastest way to get her hurt.”
Zulfishan’s eyes flicked between them. “I’m still in the room, you know.”
Raheel’s expression softened. “That’s exactly why we’re arguing.”
Aabi stopped pacing. “We do it my way — we set the meeting, I take the USB, and they never get near you.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “And I’m supposed to trust you with that? After ever
