Page 79 of Devil's Azalea

Her pupils are… weird.Have they always looked that crystallized?

My brain starts itching and tightening, a familiar pressure building behind my eyes. I force myself to breathe through it as I count backwards from one hundred. I’ve worked through my issues with eye contact—I have—but she’s just too fucking close.

My eyes water, and I can’t take it anymore. I shoot up from my chair with a gasp I try to disguise as a sigh and grab the framed photo on the desk, studying it like it suddenly holds all the secrets of the universe. Anything to hide the reaction.

She’ll pounce if she thinks I’m having issues again because of my autism-related discomfort.

“This is a nice picture of us.” Shit, I shouldn’t have said that. That was way off-topic. Will she notice?

But Stacey seems to be in a surprisingly good mood. Either she doesn’t notice or decides to let it slide. “Yes, it is. I was really proud of you then. I knew you had a bright future ahead of you.”

I study the photo more critically. ‘Proud’ isn’t the word I’d use to describe her expression. We’re both wearing strained smiles, frozen in time at my medical school graduation.

A sudden thought strikes me: what would my life have been like if I’d never met her? Would I be a member of theNightshades alongside Rafael and the others instead of hunting them?

“When do you need to go back to Quantico?” Another topic change. Damn it—twice in a row?I’m losing it.

“Tonight.” Stacey takes the photo frame from my hand as she stands from the edge of the desk. “My jet leaves in two hours.”

I nod. “Well, have a safe flight.” I pivot towards the door, but her voice freezes me mid-step.

“I heard a certain Nightshades member was at the restaurant tonight. In fact, I heard he saved your life.” When I glance back, her eyes bore into me. “Have you been in contact with him?”

What’s she implying?Does she know?My palms instantly dampen with sweat while my heart hammers against my ribs. This time, I refuse to look away from her, no matter how badly I want to. “In contact with him outside the case? I don’t think so.” Not a direct lie.

She tilts her head slightly. “Strange that he would save you then. I thought he’d be eager to see you die. End your little revenge plot against him once and for all.”

She didn’t ask a question, so I remain quiet. What am I even supposed to say to that?

“Well, either way, I’m glad he did. I would have hated to lose you.” Her tone softens. “You’re like a daughter to me. No—youarethe child I never had. You know that, right?”

I nod numbly. She’s been like the mother I never had too. Even though I wouldn’t exactly describe our relationship as warm or affectionate, there’s always been a mutual respect between us. An understanding. And she’s been there for every important milestone in my life ever since we met when I was seventeen.

“Good, if anything comes up that I should know about, let me know. And if Rafael reaches out to you, tell meimmediately.”

“I will.” I clear my throat. It’s awful that I'm now starting to suspect her.I hate it.I don’t want to feel this way. But of course, it’s just like Rafael to waltz back into my life and turn everything upside down again.

I attempt another exit, but her voice stops me once more.

“By the way… why do you think he saved you?” There’s a calculating glint in her eyes that makes my heart rate triple.

Is this some sort of test?

I lick my dry lips. “I can’t pretend to know what goes on in Rafael’s head.” I keep my voice steady, even though I’m dying inside. “I didn’t even know he was there.”

Stacey watches me for what feels like eons, her expression carefully blank, like she doesn’t believe me.Shit. I force myself not to fidget, not to look away, not to give her any reason to doubt me.

But then finally she nods, apparently satisfied. “Alright. Now that the councilor case is closed, I have something else for you. It’s connected to the Nightshades, so I think you’ll be interested.”

27

EMILIA

Word has gotten to me that now that the Russians are no longer supporting the Nightshades, the Albanians have stepped in to pick up the slack. My intel confirms that Roan Permetti is the Nightshades’ new supplier for arms, using his import company as a front. I want you to stop them. I don’t care how you do it. I want the Nightshades as isolated as possible, so taking down the Albanians is absolutely necessary. I don’t need them in custody. So you can use your little poison.

The cab jerks over a pothole, yanking me back to the present. I’m still reeling. How did she know I used my azaleas for poisoning during some of my missions?

It’s Stacey,I remind myself, fingers digging into my thighs.Of course she knew.