Chapter 7 The edge of us

CHAPTER SEVEN – THE EDGE OF US

The café was too quiet for Vanessa' comfort.

Marcos had chosen the place-an abandoned bookshop that now sold overpriced lattes and herbal teas. No cameras. No curious staff. Just the smell of old paper and a table in the farthest corner, where Marcos sat waiting.

She entered wearing Mia's old jacket.

Not for warmth.

For armor.

He stood when he saw her.

Still sharp in black, but there was something different in his eyes-something cracked open.

"You came," he said.

"You texted," she replied, sliding into the seat. "What's going on?"

He slid the burner phone across the table.

"That's Mia's ," she whispered, her throat tightening. "Where did you get it?"

"Varga."

"I thought he was-"

"He's not dead. But he's scared. That tells me everything."

She picked up the phone like it might shatter in her hands. Marcos didn't interrupt. He just watched as she plugged in a charger and hit Play.

The video flickered. Mia appeared, nervous, a cigarette trembling between her fingers.

Vanessa didn't breathe.

When the screen went dark, her hands did too.

She didn't cry.

But her voice was a whisper.

"She trusted Bianca."

Marcos nodded. "So did I."

Silence.

Tight. Hot. Grief-laced.

"Do you believe it?" she asked. "Really believe Bianca gave the order?"

"I believe she orchestrated it," he said. "I believe she wanted Mia quiet. And I believe she's covering something bigger than we understand."

Vanessa blinked fast, her voice shaking now. "Why Mia ? She wasn't threatening the De Lucas. She was looking for the truth. That's not a crime."

"In our world?" Marcos said softly. "That's the worst crime there is."

She finally met his eyes. Tired. Raw. Alive.

"I'm going to finish what Mia started."

"Then I'll finish it with you."

"Bianca is a monster that I need to expose"Venessa said it loudly baring her teeth

Another silence.

Not awkward.

Heavy.

"You should hate me," Marcos said suddenly. "I'm part of the system that killed her. You have every reason to run."

"I wanted to," Vanessa admitted. "But every time I pull back, I see her face. Hear her voice. And I know she wouldn't want me to stop."

She reached for the phone again.

"So what do we do next?"

"We expose them," he said. "From the inside out."

"How do we go about it?" said Vanessa

"Hmmmmm.......we will figure something out"Marcos replied