Crossfire at Deez

“Didn’t expect to see me, did you?”

Ayisha froze. The voice, calm and sharp, sliced through the low hum of chatter and clinking coffee spoons inside Deez Café. When she looked up, Chloe was already sliding into the chair across from her, her red nails tapping the table like a slow drumbeat.

“Chloe?” Ayisha blinked in disbelief. “What—what are you doing here? Where’s Tessa?”

Chloe smiled faintly, that kind of smile that never reaches the eyes. “You ...