Maxine moved like vapor—silent, calculated, poisonous.

She hadn’t been invited to the bridal luncheon, but the Palace Bar and Grill in Sacramento didn’t exactly have MI6-level security. One floral arrangement, a fake server’s badge, and a strategically placed tray of hors d’oeuvres later, she was inside.

Khadra was radiant, laughing with her girlfriends, radiant in gold tones and joy. It disgusted Maxine. How dare she glow like that after everything?

Maxine’s fingers closed around the vial in her apron pocket. One drop. That’s all it would take. Tasteless. Odorless. Just… gone.

She made her way toward the reserved table, a pitcher of hibiscus-mint tea in one hand, a practiced smile on her lips. Just another server. Just another drink.

“Excuse me, ladies,” she said in a voice that didn’t sound like hers. Polished. Pleasant. Poisoned.

Khadra reached for her glass—

“Hold up,” a sharp voice cut in.

Maxine froze. Her eyes flicked to the tall woman now standing behind her, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Leylo.

“That’s not one of our servers,” Leylo said, loud enough to draw attention.

Jacob was already on his feet from the other side of the restaurant. Jeremy emerged from the bar, hand on his hip—ready for whatever.

Maxine didn’t panic. She pivoted.

“You’re right,” she hissed, no longer bothering with the disguise. “I’m not here to serve. I came to finish what your little fairytale interrupted.”

She reached for Khadra’s glass—

But Khadra stood, grabbed the edge of the tray, and flipped it with a strength Maxine hadn’t expected. The vial shattered on the floor, hissing as it hit the tile.

Maxine lunged.

Khadra didn’t flinch. “You really thought I wouldn’t see you coming?”

Maxine snarled. “I never miss twice.”

“But you did.”

Behind her, Jeremy already had the cuffs out. The second attempt was over before it began.

“Take her out,” Khadra said, her voice calm and low. “And make sure this time, she’s gone for good.”