There was something about the way the air shifted when @reck6ning was nearālike the temperature dropped a few degrees and time slowed down just enough for her to feel it deep in her chest. Rhea wasnāt afraid of many things. Hell, she thrived off chaos and confrontation. But Uncle Howdy wasnāt just chaos⦠he was something darker. Something older. And as she stood in the shadowy backstage hallway, boots heavy on the concrete, she stared at him across the dim-lit space, arms crossed and jaw tense. āYou keep showing up like this,ā she said finally, voice low and steady, ābut you havenāt said what the hell it is you want from me.ā
He didnāt answer right away. Of course he didnāt. That was part of his gameāmaking people uncomfortable, pulling at their thoughts like tangled threads until they unraveled on their own. And Rhea hated it. Hated not knowing what this was about. She didnāt play games she hadnāt signed up for, and Uncle Howdy didnāt come with a rulebook. Her mind was racingāwas it Judgment Day he wanted to dismantle? Was it Dom? Or was it her? āYou donāt scare me,ā she added, eyes narrowed, taking a cautious step forward. āBut Iām not stupid either. You donāt circle someone unless you think theyāve got something you need⦠or something you want to destroy.ā
Silence again, except for the faint hum of electricity buzzing in the vents overhead. She could feel him watching her through that twisted mask, studying her like she was some kind of puzzle he was already halfway through solving. It made her skin crawl and her instincts buzz. āIf youāre after me,ā she said, her tone laced with warning, āyou better be damn sure you can handle what comes next. Because I donāt break easy, and I donāt run.ā Her fists clenched at her sides, a pulse of adrenaline kicking in like muscle memory. āSo whatever this is⦠youād better make it worth my time.ā














