Chapter 53

Reagan's POV

We circled each other like predators in a deadly dance—myself, Otis, and Carlos—each of us tense, eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. Carlos glanced at me, then flicked his gaze to Otis, his lips curling into a smug grin.

"Well, this seems a little unfair, don’t you think? Two against one? I’d say that’s cheating," he sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.

I smirked, enjoying the way his anger simmered beneath the surface. "If you’re such a coward," I began, my tone casual but cutting, "then just ask." I glanced over at Otis and gave a sharp nod. "Stand down."

Otis hesitated, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Reagan, you can’t be serious—"

I cut him off, my voice firm and unyielding. "You don’t intervene. Even if Carlos is slitting my throat, you don’t move." My words barely left my lips when Carlos lunged forward, his fist connecting with my jaw in a brutal blow that sent me crashing into the wall.

I groaned as I pulled myself up from the ground. Carlos laughed,