An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

At Sadie’s signal, two soldiers stepped forward to carry out her orders.

“W-Wait…” Lauren stammered. She quickly raised her hands and put on a placating smile. “Let’s talk this through like civilized people. No need to get physical.”

“What? Now you want to talk?” Sadie scoffed. “Done with your pretense?”

“I was just messing around earlier. Don’t take it personally. Ask me anything, and I’ll tell you everything I know.” Lauren immediately chose to give in.

“Don’t even think about playing games with me,” Sadie warned. “If you lie to me, I swear you’ll regret it.”

“Relax. I won’t lie,” Lauren said with an ingratiating smile. “I’m as straight as an arrow.”

Sadie frowned slightly but didn’t press further. Something about Lauren’s behavior didn’t sit right with her. One moment she was acting clueless, the next she was oddly cooperative. It was hard to tell what she was up to.

“Alright then. Tell me. Do you know Callan Banks?” Grace asked coolly.

“Do I know him? Of course, I do.” Lauren nodded eagerly. “We met online and hung out just a few days ago. Why?”

“He contracted the plague and nearly died, “Grace said flatly. “He claims you were the one who infected him. Care to explain?”

infected him with the plague?” Lauren

would I do something like that? I don’t

frowned slightly. ” Even now, you still won’t tell the truth? You think you can get away

my life that every word I’m telling you is the truth,” Lauren said earnestly. “Don’t let Callan fool you. Sure, he looks like some harmless guy, but

him, so I tried to break things off clean. But the creep kept pestering me and refused to leave me alone. I got so fed up that I beat him up. That’s why he’s holding a grudge

expect us to believe a woman like you could

could even take on several men his

could beat Callan in a fight, but your story doesn’t add up,” Grace

movements before he got infected. You were the only person he came into contact with during that

very next day after meeting you. And you’re telling me

them. Everywhere you’ve

calm since we brought you in. You don’t look panicked, as if you’ve already come to terms with whatever is coming. Most women would be scared out of their minds

won’t get you anywhere. Keep playing dumb if you want, but I’ve got other ways to get answers from you. I don’t like threatening other women, but innocent lives are on

her voice, but the calm in her tone made it more

got a lot of theories, but no proof, “Lauren shot back. “Look, if I’m the one spreading this plague, then why am I perfectly fine while everyone else is

the

going to accuse me of spreading this plague, you need evidence. You can’t just throw around claims like