Chapter 16
Cynus gave her a sly, sideways glance. International Medical Research Institute, huh?”
Briarjabbed a finger at her nose, cool as ice. “Limond University, Art Department, animation freshman. Proud patriot, raised in the motherland’s glow. Once a little sprout, now ready to be a big shot”
Enzo’s jaw just about hit the floor. Scrapping on her first day, then reading an apology in front of the whole school the next! This girl has some guts talking like that
Briar didn’t give a rip what they thought. Her real past was locked tight- no way these guys could crack it. She could feed them any story, and they’d have to swallow it.
Cyrus didn’t blink at her nonsense. His face stayed blank. “Nice pitch. Keep it up”
Brtar leaned back, grinning like a fox as she eyed him. “Look, dude, you look like death warmed over. Why not hit up a hospital and chill Running around like this? You’re gonna croak.”
Her smirk flashed sharp canines, dripping with mischief. “This is the punk who’s got the guts to sneak into HQ and steal? Back in laid him out by now, she thought.
Cyrus didn’t flinch. “Grew up in Boscary, huh? Your Eondash’s pretty tight.”
Strueze. I’d have
Briar’s grin sharpened. She twirled a finger in the air, smirking “World’s a small place, you know! Plenty of folks there speak Eordash. And– Eordash’s not my only game
She repeated herself in eight languages, smooth as butter, no accent, pure flex
Cyrus’s eyes narrowed just a tad. For the first time, be really checked her out.
ake? Total wild card.
Briar was a looker–gorgeous, almost
ost angelic when she kept her trap shut. But the second she spoke?
“Ms. Shepherd,” Cyrus said, slow and pointed. “You’re back home, studying at Lamond. Gotta have some big dreams for what’s next-
“Hold up!” Briar cut in, reading his vibe. She chuckled, tilting her chin. “You trying to buy me off or what?
‘He’s swiping stuff he shouldn’t and thinks he can buy me off?’ she thought. ‘Does this guy even have the cash to back it up?
Cyrus ker
kept his cool, eyes low. “I’m saying I can get you what y
you want. Set you up for the long haul.
“You think I’m some kid you can scam?” Briar half–taughed, eyeing him. “Who are you, anyway? What kind of juice you got
Cyrus tumed, voice cold as ice. “Heard of Supervision Department?”
Briar froze for a split second
Enzo, behind the wheel, glanced back with a grin. Supervision Department pays fat stacks. Thousands apply, but they only pick one or two. Usually locked down by Okwell City’s big dogs. But you? He can get you in with a word.”
Cyrus shot Enzo a death glare through the rearview mirror. Enzo shit up quick,
Briar’s face stayed chill, but she drawled, “Supervision Department, huh? Don’t they dig into your background?”
Her fake dossier was bulletproof, sure, but her past abroad was a black hole. Getting into the Department? Fat chance.
Enzo waved it off, “Don’t sweat it.”
Briar’s eyes glinted, suspicious. After a beat, she slouched back, all relaxed. “Alright, spill. What do you want from me?”
Gotta give it to them–they’d tossed our a deal she couldn’t just brush off
“Hang on.” Before Cyrus could answer, Briar cut in again. “First, what’s yo
your name?
“Cyrus Morrow,” Cyrus replied.
“Cool” Briar nodded, “So, what’s your angle?”
“Drugs
1/2
1:20 PM
Chapter 16
Briar blinked, caught off guard. “You’ve got connections, don’t you! Can’t you just flash some cash! Those labs are always broke.”
Truth was, most big research outfits were scraping by these days.
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