Fallout

Raisel – POV

Fiora, Hazel, and I had searched everywhere—every hallway, every floor—but Gwen was nowhere to be found.

“Hey, have you seen Gwen?” I asked one of my coworkers, trying to keep the panic out of my voice.

“Yeah,” she nodded. “She came in earlier but left after taking a phone call.”

“Did she say where she was going?”

“Not a clue.”

“Come with me,” Fiora said, grabbing my hand. I didn’t hesitate, following her with Hazel close behind as we rushed into my office.

“I can track her phone,” Fiora offered, already pulling out her laptop.

“Do it,” Hazel snapped before I could even get the words out. “I need answers—goddammit.”

Fiora looked at me for confirmation.

“Yes,” I whispered. “Please.”

Seconds ticked by like hours before Fiora finally said, “Got her. Let’s go.”

“I’ll text Killian and let him know I’m taking the day off,” I muttered as we hustled out. Hazel’s car screeched into the road as Fiora

gave directions, leading us straight to the one place I didn’t expect—

The prison.

Where Davina was being held.

“What the hell is Gwen doing here?” I asked, my heart dropping into my stomach.

“Looks pretty clear to me—she’s working for Davina,” Hazel said, her voice dark.

“The real question is: why?” I whispered, the words tasting bitter in my mouth.

“Only she knows,” Hazel muttered.

“Are we not following her?” Fiora asked impatiently.

“No,” Hazel said. “We wait until she’s somewhere we can confront her. Somewhere private. We need to interrogate her, not cause a

scene.”

“Your brain works like a detective,” I said, genuinely impressed.

She chuckled. “What can I say? I’ve watched way too many crime shows.”

I rolled my eyes. “Let’s just not act like we’re stalking her. If the officers tailing me catch wind of this, we’re screwed.”

“True,” Hazel said. “We have to be smart.”

“She’s leaving,” Fiora said suddenly, and Hazel carefully trailed Gwen’s car at a safe distance.

It felt surreal—like we were the cast of a dark crime drama, three women shadowing a traitor.

As Gwen pulled into the parking lot of her building, we followed, letting her go inside first. My nerves were shot as the elevator

crawled up to her floor. My heart was hammering as we reached her door.

Fiora knocked.

Gwen opened it, a small, hesitant smile on her lips, but I could see the flicker of fear in her eyes.

“Can we come in?” Fiora asked calmly.

“Why ask? You’re practically barging in,” Gwen said with forced casualness.

“Yeah, about that,” Fiora gave a nervous laugh.

“Did you two forget your keys or something?” Gwen asked.

“Doesn’t matter,” Hazel cut in, her voice sharp. “We need to talk.”

Gwen narrowed her eyes. “What’s going on?”

“You tell us,” Hazel said flatly.

“I… don’t follow?”

“You betrayed me!” I exploded. “You leaked the video, Gwen. Why?!”

Gwen flinched. Her face paled. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“I—I didn’t—” she stammered. “I didn’t do any such thing—”

“Don’t lie to me!” I snapped. “One more lie and I swear—” Hazel held me back just as I stepped forward, rage burning in my chest.

“Gwen, what the fuck did you do?” Fiora barked.

“I did it, okay?!” Gwen burst out. “I betrayed you because I needed the money!”

“You were paid millions to keep your mouth shut!” I hissed.

“It wasn’t enough!” she screamed. “I paid off my student loans, my mortgage—my mom’s medical bills are still sky-high!”

“How did Davina get to you?” I demanded.

“She kept calling me,” Gwen said softly. “I ignored her for months. But then… I was desperate.”

“You could’ve come to me—or Soren—we would’ve helped you!” I shouted.

“I did go to Soren. He said no. Said he needed time. And then… Davina called at just the wrong time.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t care if you believe me,” Gwen spat back, her voice trembling. “I did what I had to do.”

“You ruined my life, Gwen!” I screamed.

“Oh, please,” she snapped. “Soren isn’t innocent either. He got what was coming to him.”

That was it. I slapped her—hard.

Thank God only Hazel and Fiora knew what Soren had really done. Gwen had been MIA when everything went down—it was like fate had spared us.

“I know you’re hiding something else,” I hissed. “And I swear to God, I will find out what it is.”

Gwen looked away, guilt and fear swirling in her eyes.

“And when I do,” I whispered, stepping closer, “I’ll make your life a living hell.”

“We’ve got more on Gwen, Thanks to Roacher” Fiora said, her voice low.

Gwen’s head jerked toward her, eyes wide with panic.

“Spill it!” I snapped.

“She embezzled money from Dalton Firm… and Terrain Motors.”

I stared at her, stunned. “You said Soren deserved karma?”

I stepped even closer, watching her retreat.

“You sided with Davina. That woman trafficked humans. Killed people. She’s a monster. And Soren—he fought those monsters to protect me. You really think they’re the same?”

“I… I’m sorry,” Gwen sobbed. “I was blackmailed. Please… I don’t want to go to jail.”