Sana’s POV

My day with my friends vanished in the blink of an eye. After saying my goodbyes, I could finally go to that bar.

I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t stop now. It’s good they aren’t part of my plan—otherwise they’d be in danger.

I’m going to a place where I detected their movements. It’s been three days since I saw my friends; that day was the last time I would see them.

With a deep breath I closed the front door behind me and left. I had left a message for my family; I knew they would understand. My friends don’t need to know, and it’s better this way. If I’m safe, I’ll meet them at Lara’s wedding.

For now I’m heading to a club. Mafia of America, here I come. But first I’ll stash my stuff in a hotel and then investigate some mafia business here in California.

I’m from Pakistan and a Muslim hijabi. How I’ll go into a bar in these clothes is my biggest concern right now.

In the rented room I set all my systems on the table and opened my laptop to check my notes.

To hide my hijab and the fact that I’m Muslim, I’ll wear a black hood. I love the red hood, but they’ll think I’m a hacker if I use it.

After getting ready and setting up my computer assistant, I pinned my hijab under the hood and hid the microphone. If I want any detail, I’ll just say it and my system will fetch it. I programmed it that way.

Two pocket knives strapped to my wrists, a hidden camera on my hood. Let’s go, I told myself, wishing to Allah for safety.

I took a cab and my mind drifted to the letter I’d written my family:

Dear family,
Sorry for the formalities, but I must choose my own way. I will always be a step away if you need me, but right now I have to leave. My leaving will be good for you and for me. I will come back; I promise. When I return, I will marry someone for you—surely, if I find someone. Love you all.

Paying for the ride, I stared at the club that could destroy my life forever. After a few deep breaths I forced myself to go in.

Inside, people danced and drank; boys and girls were in their element. Of course it was a bar.

I sipped a glass of water and watched, suspicious of everyone.

“Assistant?” I said quietly.

“Yes, H King,” my assistant replied.

“Guide me to my listed people,” I ordered.

“System will take a few seconds to compute the best route,” it answered.

After about thirty seconds the laptop spoke: “You are standing at the left corner. Look behind you.”

I did. A door led to the VIP area.

“Go that way. Walk fifteen minutes straight, then move to your right,” the assistant instructed.

“I’ll start moving now. Count my steps and time,” I said.

“Okay.”

When I entered the door, the sight chilled me: people kissing openly, bodies pressed together. I reminded myself I was in a club.

After walking fifteen minutes I turned right and found a dark hallway. No one went that way, as if it were off-limits. Why was I feeling so uneasy?

My assistant warned there were many cameras focused on me. So they were waiting. Of course they knew I’d come.

“Also, get images of these cameras and save them,” I told my assistant.

After walking for more than thirty minutes a black door appeared in front of me.

“Your listed persons are inside with others,” the assistant informed me.

“I cannot go in. Assistant, hack their cameras and tell me how many are there and what they’re doing,” I whispered, hiding in a corner away from the feeds.

This wasn’t good.

I placed a sheet that matched the wall and fixed it in front of the corner. Now, if someone passed, they wouldn’t notice me behind the fake wall.

Alex’s POV (Part 1)

“Sir, that person is here,” Mark reported. Someone had entered our business. I’d meet them in a few seconds.

I smirked. I didn’t know if the intruder was a girl or a boy, but I was sure the boss would be pleased to meet them. The only person who’d ever succeeded in entering our operations—our best tracker couldn’t find how this person came in. This was alarming, and the boss made it clear: no one leaves after messing with him.

I was damn curious to see what they’d do. Would the boss kill them?

Well, I guess time will reveal it—because this person is coming with me tonight.

Sana’s POV

Behind my false wall, I steadied my breathing. My assistant whispered updates in my ear.

“There are twelve people in the room,” it reported. “Five armed. Seven seated around a table. They are discussing coded shipments.”

I clenched my fists. This was bigger than I expected. If I could just record enough to connect them to the killings…

“Assistant, record everything. Transmit to backup drive,” I instructed.

“Done.”

My pulse quickened when I heard footsteps in the hallway. Someone was coming. I pressed myself tighter against the wall, heart pounding.

The steps stopped right in front of me.

A shadow shifted against the faint light. Whoever it was didn’t move for a long time—as if they knew someone was here.

I gripped the knives under my sleeves.

Then, the footsteps retreated.

I let out the breath I’d been holding, but relief didn’t last. My assistant whispered, “Cameras rotating. They’re searching.”

They knew. They were hunting me.

I had to move.

Alex’s POV

I watched the cameras. The girl/boy was clever—using a false wall. But not clever enough.

“She’s/he's good,” I muttered. “Almost invisible. Almost.”

Boss would enjoy breaking his/her spirit.

“Bring his/her to me alive,” the boss had said. That was unusual. He normally wanted intruders dead on sight.

That meant this girl/boy was special. Important.

And I would be the one to drag her/him out of hiding.

Sana’s POV

The air grew colder as if the walls themselves whispered danger. My assistant buzzed in my ear: “Multiple targets approaching. Time left: ninety seconds.”

I tightened my hood and whispered a prayer. Ya Allah, protect me.

This was it. No turning back.

I stepped out from behind the wall—straight into the lion’s den.