April’s POV
The clock above the bar ticked loudly in the quiet moments between orders. It was an unusually slow night, the kind where I could actually hear the low hum of the refrigerator in the back. I didn’t mind, though. The lull gave me time to sort through the storm of thoughts swirling in my head about Cassius, his pack, and the weight of everything we’d shared recently.
You’re overthinking, Snow said in the back of my mind, her voice soft but firm. Take a breath.
I snorted quietly, running a hand through my hair. Easy for her to say-she didn’t have a lifetime of buried emotions and messy feelings to unpack.
The door creaked open, breaking my thoughts.
I looked up, my heart sinking the moment I saw him.
The rogue from before.
He strolled in like he owned the place, his sharp eyes scanning the room before landing on me. This time, he wasn’t alone. Two others followed close behind, their movements slow and deliberate, like wolves stalking prey.
Every instinct screamed at me to run, but I planted my feet firmly behind the bar, forcing myself to meet his gaze.
“Quiet night,” he remarked, his lips curling into a twisted smirk. “Makes my job easier.”
I didn’t respond, gripping the edge of the counter until my knuckles turned white.
He leaned on the bar, his smirk widening when I took a step back. “No need to be shy, darling. We’re just here to talk.”
Don’t engage, Snow warned, her tone urgent. He’s testing you.
“I don’t know you,” I said flatly, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart. “And I don’t have anything to say to you.”
His expression darkened, the playful glint in his eyes replaced with something far more dangerous. “You don’t need to know me. But I know you were there the night my friends didn’t come back.”
I swallowed hard, keeping my face neutral. He didn’t know my name-that much was clear-but his words carried enough weight to make my chest tighten.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replied, my tone clipped.
The rogue’s smile was razor-sharp. “Funny. See, I think you do. And if you don’t start talking, well…” He glanced at one of his companions, who let out a low, guttural growl. “We’ll make this real simple for you.”
One of the men stepped closer, his hand brushing against a knife strapped to his side. The threat was clear, and it sent a shiver down my spine.
You need to act, Snow urged, her voice fierce now. They won’t stop until you’re dead.
“I’m not afraid of you,” I said, my voice firmer now.
The rogue laughed-a cruel, mocking sound that echoed in the empty bar. “Oh, sweetheart, you should be. Because the next time I walk out of here, it’s either with the answers I want or your pretty little head as a souvenir.”
The room seemed to shrink, the air thick with tension. My pulse roared in my ears, drowning out the distant sounds of the city outside.
“I’m giving you one last chance,” he said, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “Tell me what happened that night, or we’ll show you just how creative we can be.”
My hand brushed against the edge of the counter, fingers curling around the handle of the knife I kept hidden there. I didn’t want this-not here, not now-but they’d left me no choice.
Now, Snow barked, her voice sharp and commanding.
In one swift motion, I pulled the knife free and slashed at the nearest man. The blade caught his arm, and he let out a startled snarl, stumbling back. The rogue’s smirk vanished, replaced with a snarl of his own as he lunged at me.
The fight was a blur of movement and noise-grunts, growls, the scrape of metal against wood. They were strong, but I was faster, fueled by adrenaline and Snow’s unyielding presence in my mind.
Keep going, she urged. Don’t let up.
The second man lunged at me, and I sidestepped, slamming the handle of the knife into his temple. He crumpled to the floor, leaving just the rogue and me.
“You’re gonna regret that,” he hissed, circling me like a predator.
“Try me,” I shot back, my grip on the knife tightening.
He lunged, and for a moment, all I saw was teeth and claws.
But I didn’t back down.
The fight ended with him sprawled on the floor, clutching a deep gash across his chest. His breaths came in ragged gasps, and his eyes burned with hatred as he looked up at me.
“This isn’t over,” he spat. “You have no idea what you’ve just done.”
“I’ll be waiting,” I replied coldly, stepping back as he dragged himself toward the door.
The other two scrambled after him, and within moments, they were gone, leaving the bar in shambles and my heart racing.
They’ll be back, Snow warned, her voice heavy with concern.
“I know,” I whispered, gripping the counter to steady myself.
And when they did, I’d be ready.