Chapter 26 · The Six-Year Debt

"Don't move." Mia's voice cut through the smoke as I froze halfway through the vault door. Her gun stayed level with my chest. "Not one step, Val."

"Mia, it's me—"

"I know exactly who you are." She moved closer, six years older, thinner, her black hair hacked short. But her eyes were still my sister's. "That's why you're going to listen."

Behind me, Sienna coughed hard. She was still on her knees beside the flooded corridor, the mask hanging loose around her neck.

"Mia, put the gun down," I said.

"No."

"You don't have to point it at her."

Mia's aim snapped toward Sienna. "She tell you what she did?"

Sienna shoved herself against the wall. Her face had gone gray. "Val, get back."

"Shut up." Mia's finger settled along the trigger guard. "You don't get to give orders anymore."

I stepped between them. The muzzle stopped inches from my ribs.

"Move, Val."

"No."

"I said move."

"Then tell me what happened. Six years. No calls. No message. Nothing. Where the hell have you been?"

Mia's jaw clenched. "Staying alive."

A deep groan rolled through the building.