It’s the tone that sticks. Maybe even the words. I glance sideways and catch the smirk that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“But not everyone is like you, are they?” he continues. “Some... aren’t so useful.”
I freeze.
There’s no confusion about what he means.
The shift is subtle. But my instincts flare. Every nerve in my spine tightens like it’s waiting for impact.
“My security person,” he says after a beat. “That Aadya. I find her... curious. I think she might have it out for GenVault.”
Mehul laughs it off but my instincts are yelling.
I force a shrug. “I don’t know much about her. What do you mean?”
“Hmm,” he hums, like he doesn’t believe me. “You know I almost got shot a week ago? She didn’t even stop it. I doubt she’s good.”
My head snaps up at him. What? Was Greesha there?Fuck. I stare at him in disbelief.
But his gaze slides somewhere else.
Not toward me.
Over my shoulder.
I follow it.
And I see her.
Greesha’s at the far end of the warehouse now. Walking slowly, arms crossed, her eyes scanning the machinery. Just another perimeter check. Just another shadow on the move.
But my breath halts.
There’s a red dot hovering on her chest.
I fucking see it.
Then her shoulder.
Then her neck.
Moving. Wavering. Tracking.Adjusting.
She’s still walking—so it’s off by inches. But it’s following her.
I blink hard, hoping I’m wrong. But no. My instincts scream. It’s not a smudge. It’s laser-targeted. A scope. Someone. Somewhere. Watching her. Targeting her.
Fuck.Fuck.
I whirl subtly, checking the height beams, vents, rafters—no obvious shooter. No movement. No raised alert from the guards. Nothing in the comms. No chaos.
Because no one sees it. No one butme. Vir is watching Mehul and he doesn’t even see my panic.
And then—just as I start moving—Mehul claps his hands.
“Everyone! Over here—come take a look at this baby,” he calls, gesturing toward a new machine unit he’s clearly too excited about.
Most of the group turns and walks over.
