Chapter 2

Margot's POV

I find a bench in the little park below the building and sit down, letting the cold air creep under my collar.

That suffocating feeling from my last life, like something had me by the throat, is finally starting to fade. I need to stay calm. I need to figure out my next move.

My phone starts buzzing like crazy in my pocket.

It's the group chat, the one with my college roommates and a few close friends. Tiffany posted a whole essay in there.

Tiffany: Not gonna lie, I'm kind of hurt right now. I try to do something nice for Margot, introduce her to a few guys with real connections, help her network, and she calls Vincent an ex-con right to his face. Vincent was so mad he threw his glass last night, took me forever to calm him down. I'm honestly so hurt. We've been friends for years and she comes at me like that?

Most people are staying quiet, but Danielle and Ashley jump right in.

Danielle: Margot, that's on you. Tiffany meant well. Even if you didn't want to go, you didn't have to say it like that.

Ashley: Seriously. Vincent's doing well for himself, he runs the whole scene on the south side. Tiffany landing that connection is a win for her. You're being way too sensitive. We're all friends here, just apologize and move on.

Danielle: More friends means more doors open. That attitude of yours is going to bite you someday.

I give a cold laugh and type back.

Margot: Since you two think so highly of Vincent, take my spot at dinner tonight. Danielle, Ashley, go have fun with him.

Margot: One more thing. Vincent cut off someone's fingers a few days ago. Bring extra bandages. In case his temper flares, or his enemies show up, you two can patch each other up.

The group chat goes dead silent.

I put my phone away, stop by a hardware store for the highest-grade deadbolt they carry and a few hidden cameras, then head back to the apartment.

The second I open the door, something feels off.

The living room's crowded. Tiffany, Danielle, Ashley, and the landlady, Mrs. Coleman, are all sitting there. Tiffany's got her head down, shoulders shaking, clearly mid-performance.

Danielle springs up the moment she sees me. "Margot, finally. You went way too hard on her. Tiffany's been crying for an hour."

Mrs. Coleman chimes in. "Margot, they're not entirely wrong. You girls share a place, a little friction is normal. Did you have to be so harsh?"

I don't even take my shoes off, just walk straight to the couch. "I already said it in the group chat. I'm giving you two my spot at dinner tonight. So which one of you is actually going?"

Danielle's smile stiffens. "That... that doesn't work, I've got something going on tonight."

"Me too, I've got an early shift tomorrow." Ashley jumps in right after.

"Oh, you're both busy." I look at them, not quite smiling. "Then how about a relative? Danielle, didn't your little sister just graduate and she's job hunting? A guy connected to a mob boss, that's a great opportunity. Keep it in the family, right?"

Danielle stammers. "That's different, my sister's young, she scares easy, she can't handle that kind of scene."

I don't let her off easy. "Your sister's too fragile for it, but I'm supposed to go on a date with a bunch of knife-wielding criminals? So you knew exactly how dangerous this was. You just wanted me to take the risk instead of her."

Danielle has nothing to say to that.

I turn to Mrs. Coleman, my voice even. "One more thing you should know. Tiffany's boyfriend Vincent is facing charges for assault and disorderly conduct. She's running with that crowd every day now. Sooner or later his enemies find her, and they show up right here. Someone knocks on your door with a knife, turns your place into a crime scene. You really think the odds of that are low?"

Mrs. Coleman had been sitting back enjoying the show, but the second she hears "crime scene," her face changes. She shoots Tiffany a wary look.

"Don't sit there scaring her!" Tiffany snaps. "Vincent would never let that happen! He'll protect me!"

"Whether he's protecting you or just using you as a shield, you know the answer better than I do." I've had enough of this conversation. I walk into the bedroom, drag my suitcase out from under the bed, and start packing. Clothes, documents, anything valuable. Everything else I leave behind.

Danielle follows me to the doorway. "Margot, you're actually moving out?"

"Yeah." I don't even look up.

"Are you insane? The lease still has three months on it. You're giving up the deposit?" Ashley's voice pitches up.

"I don't want it." I zip the suitcase shut, push past Danielle blocking the doorway, and drag the bag into the living room. I toss the keys on the coffee table. "I don't need the deposit back. I'm not spending another night in this place. As of now, I have nothing to do with Tiffany."

"Margot, don't be rash, it's the weekend, where are you even going..." Mrs. Coleman tries to talk me down. I've always paid rent on time, never caused trouble.