The receptionist stiffens. She glances back at me and Cassie, like we might be some kind of clue. Then I’m afraid I can’t really let you in
In one graceful, fatal motion, Veah leans over the desk. Her wrist collides with the side of the woman’s collarbone.
The receptionist collapses behind the desk.
Come on, says Veah, and the elevator doors open for us.
Oh, great, I mutter. Let’s just knock poor unsuspecting people unconscious too. Let’s add assault to the list. I love assault. Jail is going to be great.
Cool, Cassie breathes.
Not cool ! I snap. You sound just like
Like my idiot best friend, Tommy.
Relax, Veah says, and she presses the floor labelled 100. For some reason, the last fifty buttons look new, as if they were recently added. Nobody’s calling the police.
Contrary to what the rest of the world thinks, America does have some laws ! I say.
Veah’s eyes are dark, but there is the faintest tug of her smile.
Nobody’s calling the police, she continues, because nobody is going to risk it. This is the Underground, Kaya. This is the heart of the Wolves, the biggest crime organization in America.
The what ? I might really faint.
That’s awesome, Cassie says. I always wondered how they managed to keep their hideout a secret.
My eyes narrow on my sister. You know about crime organizations ?
I don’t live under a rock.
Veah coughs, and I glare at herat the wisp of a hidden grin on her full, lush mouth. But once my eyes land on her face, I can’t look away.
The fluorescent lights of the elevator turn unbearably hot.
Her grey eyes, against the tan colour of her soft skin, are striking. Her dark brown hair is straight, short, just over her shoulders. I wonder what it would feel like to run my hands through her hairI wonder if it would feel as silky as it looks.
What would it be like to tangle my fingers into those locks and pull her closer to me ?
To bring her lips against mine ?
To taste her ?
Maybe she tastes like the first kiss of dew. I would lick the raindrops from her bottom lip, inhale the fresh scent of a storm.
Something hot curls deep in my navel.
I’ve been staring for too long.
Veah’s eyes meet mine, and it’s a look so intense, so breathtaking, that I am the one to look away first.
Are my hands shaking ?
The elevator doors open.
There is a woman already waiting, silhouetted in bright blue light. Her features are sharp, and the angle of her jaw is honed, flexing, as she says, I see you came without an invitation, Chimei-tekima Megumi.
I make a mental note to ask Veah what that means later.
I’m collecting a favour, Hunter, is all Veah says.
The woman is tall, leanshe has brown hair knotted into a bun, and strong features that remind me of a model. But what really stands out to me is her eyes : they are both blue, but mismatched. One is the deep colour of an evening sky, and the other is the quiet colour of a summer morning.
Then, from behind her, another girl appears.
Her hand snakes over Hunter’s waist, pulling her in with a touch that is possessive. And Hunter answers by leaning against the girl, her mouth dipping toward her neck until she is grazing the girl’s ear with her teeth. She whispers something.
I feel like I am watching something I shouldn’t be.
And I don’t know why I glance at Veah, but I do.
Save it for later, Veah says coolly. We have business to do. And Judeit’s a pleasure to see you.
As always, the girlJudesays. But tell me, are the rumours true ? Are you no longer the Cai boss ?
Something in Veah tenses.
I don’t know if anyone else notices, but I see the way her mouth twitches for the faintest hint of a second.
Believe what you want, Veah says.
Jude untangles herself from Hunter. You know, we don’t do business with exes.
Not now, Jude, Hunter says quietly.
But Jude’s eyes narrow. Why did you leave ? Was it personal or professional ? Are they after you, because we can’t take the
Veah steps forward.
It’s my business, she says darkly. And I hope you remember that I’m collecting a favour. Don’t make me remind you what it is exactly I did for you.
Jude recoils.
And I can’t help wondering what it is that Veah did for them.
My heart starts to pound, but Veah only brushes past the two of them. Something about Hunter is strangely familiar . . .
I’m Kaya, I say quickly. This is my sister, Cassie.
Hello, Kaya, says Jude. Hi, Cassie.
From behind me, Cassie waves shyly. We follow Veah into the 100th floor, and though the blue lights remind me of a club, it’s not at all what I was expecting.
It’s . . . a brewery.
What is this ? Cassie whispers.
This is how you make beer, I say under my breath. The room is divided into different areas, and the clink of glass bottles swirls through the air like chiming music.
This is how we make money, Jude explains. Our front is a beerhouse. It funds the Underground.
I always thought Mafia money came from drugs and sex trafficking, Cassie says in awe.
I elbow her. She can’t just say that to the face of a gang boss. What if they kill us or something ? What if they get offended ?
Jude’s expression flickers ever so slightly.
We found a better alternative, she says simply.
What does that mean ?
I shake my headHunter and Veah are walking ahead, talking in low voices.