Nine wiped his fingers against his coat, brushing off the last crumbs. Anthony leaned back, stretching his arms along the back of the bench, looking relaxed but still watching Nine out of the corner of his eye.
The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable. It never was. But Nine wasn't finished talking.
"What do you think about Ren?"
Anthony smirked, tilting his head slightly as if the question amused him. "She's boring."
Nine raised an eyebrow. "Boring?"
Anthony shrugged. "Mundane. Predictable. Whatever word fits."
Nine exhaled slowly. "Go on."
Anthony stretched his legs out, kicking a loose pebble off the sidewalk. "Right now? She's probably scrambling for leverage. Trying to figure out how to get me or Andie to flip and back her play."
He shook his head, almost disappointed.
"That's a basic move. And it wouldn't even work."
Nine glanced at him, waiting.
Anthony grinned, all teeth. "Because Andie would rather die than betray me."
He said it like it was fact—like it wasn't even worth questioning.
Ren thought she was in control, thought she had maneuvered herself into a power position. But she didn't understand that Anderson and Anthony were a package deal.
She was playing the game with false pieces.
Anthony sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Anyway. Talking about sides… who's the other guy?"
Nine chuckled. "What, getting nervous?"
Anthony scoffed. "Please. Just curious."
Nine leaned forward slightly, hands still in his pockets. He didn't answer right away.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"You'll meet him soon."
Anthony clicked his tongue. "Cryptic as always."
Nine just smirked, but his mind was already ten moves ahead.
And somewhere else in the city, the fourth player was already in motion.