?Chapter 1554:


    “Good,” she said, taking another sip. The heat flowed down into her stomach, noticeably easing her tense nerves.


    “Easy now,” the bartender cautioned with a knowing smile, drying his hands. “That’s the ‘Heartbreak Elixir’—my signature pour. No one in here has ever managed a second ss and kept their head clear.”


    Maia’s eyes held a confident gleam. “Then maybe I’ll be the first to break that record.”


    With that, she tipped her head back and downed the drink in one bold gulp, her nerve no less than any man’s. She set the empty ss down and looked at the bartender. “If I drink two sses and don’t get drunk, will you take me downstairs?”


    The bartenderughed out loud. “Believe me, you’re not the first to make that bet,” he said, grinning as he extended an open palm. “And so far, everyone’s lost. If you’re serious, pay up front—I’ve got no interest in chasing down a tipsy tab.”


    “Fair enough.” Maia nodded.


    Just as she was about to pay, someone slid onto the stool beside her. A slender hand swiftly ced several bills on the counter.


    “Her drinks are on me.” The voice was familiar—casual, yet carrying an unmistakable edge of challenge.


    Maia turned to find Raegan settled on the adjacent stool, a faint, knowing smile ying on her lips. She had taken off her sunsses, revealing a pair of long, sharp eyes. She chuckled softly. “Didn’t expect me?”


    Maia’s hands clenched, the veins on their backs standing out. She lowered her voice, her tone edged with disbelief. “What are you doing here?”


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    Raegan’s presence made no sense. She was Kiley’s ally—the one who, at the banquet center, had fired the shot that wounded Chris.


    Maia vividly remembered the night Raegan had been overpowered and dragged away by members of The Mask. And now here they were—right on The Mask’s turf. How could Raegan be standing here so openly, as though nothing had happened?


    Raegan chuckled, as though she had seen straight through Maia’s thoughts. “I know what’s going through your mind. You didn’t expect to see me standing here safe and sound, did you? Did you think I was already dead—or perhaps being tortured somewhere?” She flicked a nce at the bartender. “Lucas, make me the same cocktail.”


    “Coming right up.” Lucas Ramos inclined his head slightly and deftly grabbed the shaker.


    Maia immediately sensed that the two were far from strangers. Their ease with each other spoke of real familiarity—and that realization set off warning signals in her mind. She studied Raegan intently, her thoughts racing.


    Zoey had once told her that when something seemed illogical, it usually meant crucial information was missing. Once every impossibility was eliminated, whatever remained—no matter how unbelievable—had to be the truth.


    “You don’t work for Kiley Cooper,” Maia said with quiet certainty. “You’re part of The Mask.”


    That was the only exnation that fit. Raegan was a sleeper agent nted by The Mask, embedded beside Kiley.


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