"You called for it." Nina's voice was a frayed thread of sound, her eyes darting sideways in a frantic like a trapped animal dance.
Malik stood frozen, an image of complete calm in the dim corridor. The overhead light cast weak shadows on his face, but a cold fire ready to explode flickered in his eyes.
Nina bit her lip until the skin turned white. "If Janet finds out that I spoke to you... she'll ruin me. She doesn't forgive."
Malik leaned forward and the shift in his weight am was like a subtle threat. "Then ruin is already on its way. Your only choice is which side you'll be on when it arrives." His tone was like the quiet slide of a blade from its sheath.
A heavy silence fell, broken only by Nina's shaky exhale. Her shoulders slumped in surrender. "It was her plan. All of it. Janet
