“So where is she?” Theo demanded immediately.
Jean didn’t answer. Instead, she smiled slow, knowingly, almost satisfied. She folded her arms and stared at the three of us like she was finally holding the upper hand.
“Can I talk to Tobias alone?” she said.
Theo scoffed. Ethan’s jaw twitched. I could practically feel them both bristling beside me.
I exhaled, forcing myself to stay level. “Guys… I’ll talk to her, and I’ll get back to you. Just wait inside.”
Ethan shook his head, already fuming. Theo looked like he was one second away from grabbing Jean by the wrist and demanding answers.
But I knew better. If we didn’t play this her way, she’d drag this out just to spite us and we didn’t have that kind of time.
“We do it her way,” I repeated, lowering my voice. “For now.”
They exchang
