Naughty Nice [chapter 3] (2026)

Elena sat in the corner booth of 'The Daily Grind,' watching the snow turn to gray slush against the windowpane. Opposite her, Marcus was doing that thing with his pen—clicking it in a rhythmic, agonizing pulse that matched the ticking of the wall clock. To anyone else, they looked like two coworkers finishing a late-shift project. To Elena, they looked like a crime scene waiting to happen.

"You’re being too quiet," Marcus said, his voice dropping an octave. He didn’t look up from the ledger. "It makes me think you’re actually considering the 'Nice' route. We discussed this, El. Nice doesn't pay the lease on this building." Naughty Nice [Chapter 3]

"The choice was made the moment we signed that first contract," he reminded her. He leaned across the table, the scent of expensive cologne and cold winter air rolling off him. "Don't get cold feet just because the lights are prettier this time of year. We’re deep enough that the only way out is through." Elena sat in the corner booth of 'The

"Maybe not," he conceded with a faint, dangerous smirk. "But the villains always have more fun at the after-party." To Elena, they looked like a crime scene waiting to happen

Elena looked at the file folder sitting between them. It was labeled Project Kringle —a name so wholesome it made her stomach turn. Inside were the routing numbers that shouldn't exist and the signatures she had forged with a shaking hand just three hours ago.