JaneVera's POV
As the gun brushed against my skin, the cold metal traced the line of my cheek, sending a shiver that felt more alive than my heartbeat. Neven's voice came back to me like a ghost refusing to fade.
"You don't know what you're getting into, Jane!" His voice was desperate, and heavy with something that sounded a lot like fear. "My uncle isn't who you think he is! He'll ruin you!"
Ruin me.
Maybe he already had.
Because here I was, standing in front of Caesar, breath trembling, heart betraying every ounce of fear I tried to bury beneath defiance. I didn't want to die... but I didn't want to lose either. Not after losing Neven. Not after watching him choose Olivia, my best friend over me.
What was left to lose, really? What was the point of living when everything that made
