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

denied it, “Don’t listen to his nonsense! Why would I do something like that? I

you still won’t tell the truth? You think you can

“Don’t let Callan fool you. Sure, he looks like some harmless

kept pestering me and refused to leave me alone. I got so fed up that I beat him

believe a woman like you could

Beating up Callan was child’s play. I could even take on several men his size without breaking a sweat,” Lauren replied

beat Callan in a fight, but your

infected. You were the only person he came into

next day after meeting you. And you’re

actively working with them. Everywhere you’ve been, an outbreak followed. Don’t try to tell me that’s just

as if you’ve already come to terms with whatever

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

in her tone made

a lot of theories, but no proof, “Lauren shot back. “Look, if I’m the one spreading this plague,

me,” Grace said. “Either you have the antidote, or you’ve

“Look, if you’re going to accuse me of spreading this plague, you need evidence. You can’t just throw around claims like that based on your own