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?”

I infected him with the plague?”

nonsense! Why would I do something like that? I don’t even know anything about

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

telling you is the truth,” Lauren said earnestly. “Don’t let Callan fool you. Sure, he looks like some harmless guy, but he’s

off about him, so I tried to break things off clean. But the creep kept pestering me and refused to leave

us to believe a woman like you could take down a grown man?” Sadie

child’s play. I could even take on several men his

if you could beat Callan in a fight,

got infected. You were the only

the very next day after meeting you. And you’re telling me you had no idea what

into your background. You joined Nexology and have been actively working with them. Everywhere you’ve been, an outbreak followed. Don’t try to tell me that’s just a

come to terms with whatever is coming. Most women would be scared out of their minds right

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 the line. If that means I have to be the bad guy, then so

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

if I’m the one spreading this plague, then why am I perfectly fine while everyone else is

exactly what bothers me,” Grace said. “Either you have the

“Look, if you’re going to accuse me of spreading this plague, you need evidence. You can’t just throw