The room smelled like sweat, blood, and something rotten beneath it all—like the decay of desperation and bad choices. MJ's wrists ached from the rough rope binding them, her fingers numb. She tried not to show fear, but the longer Scar paced in front of her, the harder it became.
Jae knelt beside her, hands tied behind his back, his head tilted just enough to keep Scar in his sight. His breathing was steady, but MJ could feel the tension rolling off him. He was waiting for his moment. But what if it never came?
Scar finally stopped pacing. He was tall, broad, with a wicked scar cutting through the left side of his face. It pulled his lip into a permanent sneer, making his already cruel smile even worse.
"You should've just played nice," Scar said, crouching down in front of MJ. His fingers grabbed her chin, tilting her face up. "But now we have to do things the hard way."
MJ jerked her head away, disgust curling in her gut. "You don't scare me."
Scar chuckled. "No? You should be." He stood up, glancing toward Chuck, who leaned against the wall like he belonged there.
Chuck.
The traitor.
Her stomach churned as she met his gaze. He didn't look away, didn't even flinch. He was the one who had led them straight into this trap, and now he was standing there, arms crossed, like this was just another day for him.
"Why?" MJ asked, voice sharp. "Why betray us?"
Chuck exhaled through his nose. "Betrayal is such an ugly word. I prefer… business."
Jae tensed beside her, the muscle in his jaw ticking. "You're a coward."
Chuck shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe I just know how to survive."
Scar laughed. "Smart man, this one." He turned back to MJ. "That's the thing about people like you. You still think there's a way out of this where you get to be the hero. But there isn't."
MJ swallowed. "What do you want?"
Scar grinned. "Simple. I want you."
Jae let out a low, dangerous growl.
Scar ignored him, circling MJ slowly. "You've got something special, don't you? Something I can use. So here's the deal—I'll give you a choice. Join us. Willingly. Or…" He let the words hang, the threat settling like thick smoke in the air.
MJ's heart pounded.
Chuck leaned in. "You don't have to fight this, MJ," he said smoothly. "Come with me. I can keep you safe."
"Safe?" She almost laughed. "You are the reason we're in this mess."
Chuck's eyes darkened. "You don't know what's coming. I'm trying to help you before it's too late."
Scar clapped his hands together. "So, what's it gonna be, sweetheart?"
MJ's mind raced. She could see the calculation in Jae's eyes, the barely contained fury. He was waiting for a chance to strike, but if she gave the wrong answer, they might not get one.
"Go to hell," she spat.
Scar sighed dramatically. "Wrong answer."
He grabbed Jae by the hair, yanking his head back. Jae's sharp inhale was the only sign of pain. Scar pulled a knife from his belt, pressing the tip just under Jae's jaw.
"You know," Scar mused, "I've seen a lot of strong men break. You think he's special?" He dug the blade in just enough for a bead of blood to form. "Because I don't."
Something flickered in Jae's eyes. Something dark.
MJ's stomach clenched.
Scar didn't see it.
Chuck did.
"Let him go," MJ said quickly. "You don't know what you're doing."
Scar laughed. "Oh, I think I do."
"No," Chuck said suddenly. His