No. Carter's voice cracked with ego and irritation. She's bluffing, but Ayana didn't blink, didn't flinch, didn't break eye contact. Carter raised his phone. Now recording her, too. Say that again for the camera.
Ayana didn't move. Didn't raise her voice. She simply repeated, "Softer, but sharper. You don't know what you're doing. For the first time, Logan stepped back, unease creeping into his expression.
But Carter Carter let out a short, humorless laugh. Please, he sneered. That's just an empty threat, and I'm going to prove it. He thought it was nothing but a hollow warning. The afternoon sun beat down mercilessly on the rooftop, turning the concrete beneath their feet into a scorching sheet of heat.
The wind, once just a whisper, now howled around the metal railing like it sensed what was about to happen. Below the rooftop stretched the fenced off K9 training yard. An expanse of gravel, metal cages, and three restless dogs pacing in tight circles, barking sharply as if reacting to an unseen threat. Ayana stood near the edge, her back inches from the low barrier. Carter stepped closer, the thrill of dominance buzzing under his skin like electricity.
Logan and Bryce hovered near him, both filming now, their nervous laughter clashing with the angry barks echoing from below. Last chance, Carter taunted, grabbing Ayana's collar sharply. Dropped the act. Ayana stared at him with the same chilling stillness she'd shown all day. There was no fear in her eyes, only recognition and something colder disappointment.
Carter, she said quietly. You're about to cross a line you can't take back. He laughed. Oh, I crossed it the second you walked in here acting like a damn robot. Logan shifted uncomfortably.
Dude, maybe that's enough. She's literally on the edge. But Carter didn't hear him or he didn't care. He shoved Ayana backward. She stumbled, her heel hitting the rooftop ledge.
Behind her, the drop yawned open 10 ft down into the training yard where the three K9 dogs erupted into frenzied barking. Sensing danger, claws scraping violently against the gravel. Ayana's breath hitched, but only for a moment. Carter stepped closer, raising his voice over the wind. "You want to play trainer?"
He sneered. "Let's see you train them." Logan grabbed Carter's sleeve. "Man, stop. This feels wrong."
Carter shook him off violently. "Shut up! She's been bluffing since day one." Ayana inhaled slowly. Her eyes flicked once toward the dogs.
Chaos, Diesel, and Vector, the three most aggressive trainees in the unit. Chaos was practically climbing the fence wall, bearing his teeth in a furious snarl. They recognized her. Carter didn't notice. He leaned in, pushing harder.
"You don't look so tough now, do you?" Ayana met his stare one last time. "Don't do this!" Carter grinned. Then he shoved her hard.