ra narrowed her eyes and let a sly smile cross her lips. "So, Jared, do you know what''s going on?"


    Since Eli had been tailing her, he should be up to speed on her recent activities.


    He pressed his lips together and nodded, "Yeah, I know."


    "Did he set up tonight''s mess?"


    "No, that was Jeff."


    ra lowered hershes. Jeff, huh? This should be a breeze.


    She grabbed her phone and sent Jeff a few charged-up texts using an old number. Just as she expected, Jeff took the bait and agreed to meet.


    ra almostughed. With brains like that, if he weren''t a Smith, he''d have been eaten alive ages ago.


    As she started to drive off, Eli jumped in. "Where are you going alone?"


    "I''m meeting Jeff. Her random hatred for me... I need to know if Eden''s behind it."


    Eli opened the passenger door and slid in. "I''ming with you."


    ra didn''t argue, just shrugged her eptance.


    They pulled up at the agreed rendezvous spot.


    Before Jeff arrived, ra turned to Eli, "Aren''t you supposed to be the tough one? When she steps out, just knock her out and bring her over."


    She made sure they parked out of sight of any cameras.


    Eli nced out the window and nodded. "Got it."


    Jeff showed up fast, storming out of her car, fuming. But before she could take a step, Eli knocked her out cold with a swift move.


    ra nned to take her to Z''s ce, a spot so deserted you''d be lucky to catch a glimpse of a ghost.


    As they drove, Eli''s unease grew with each passing mile. When they stopped in front of the dark, ominous house, dread washed over him.


    ra got out and knocked on his window. "What are you waiting for? Let''s go."


    Eli eyed the house, feeling like


    invisible eyes were watching him. He turned away, trying to shake off the feeling. "I''m not going in. ra, be careful with that lunatic inside."


    ra was taken aback. Did Eli know Z?


    She shoved Jeff back into the car, curiosity piqued. "You know my


    boyfriend? Have you been to


    vel


    Nightshade? He''s just a server there. How do you know him?"


    From what she knew, Z only had one doctor buddy.


    Eli opened his mouth to respond, "ra..."


    But then her phone rang. It was Z.


    She quickly answered, "I''m outside.


    It''s no


    deal. I brought a couple of


    people. If you don''t want to see them, just hang upstairs. I''ll handle it."


    Eli mmed up, feeling defeated.


    ra hung up, pulled Jeff out of the car, and sshed her awake with a water bottle.


    Jeff woke up screaming, furious when she saw ra. "ra?! What the hell?! You kidnapped me?!"


    She tried to get up and run, but froze when she saw the knife ra held.


    It was a de she''d grabbed from Eli.


    The knife''s edge glinted at Jeff''s cheek, as if ready to draw blood.


    Jeff hesitated, then struggled harder. "Don''t kid yourself. Would you really hurt me? Do you know who''s got my back?"


    As soon as she said it, the knife nicked her neck, and blood spread fast.


    The cut was shallow, but the bleeding was intense.


    Jeff clutched her neck, screaming.


    ra, worried Z might hear, snapped, "Shut up!"


    Jeff went silent, shaking. She couldn''t believe the woman in front of her was


    ra. Wasn''t she just a pushover?


    Tears fell as she avoided ra''s eyes.


    ra crouched beside her, voice steady. "Jeff, why the hate? Is someone pulling your strings?"