Ava followed Lucas out of the apartment, her mind already mapping exits, potential threats, and the quickest way back.
Level Two was a mystery.
She had lived here for weeks but had barely seen anything beyond their shared living space.
Lucas had kept her hidden.
Now?
He was walking her straight into the heart of it.
The hallways were different from Level Three—cleaner, quieter. No overcrowded bunks, no desperate scavengers bartering scraps.
Here, people walked with purpose. Well-fed, well-armed, better dressed.
Ava caught more than one glance in their direction.
Not at her.
At Lucas.
His reputation moved ahead of him, like an unspoken warning.
And yet—people weren't avoiding him.
They were watching. Calculating.
Ava leaned in slightly, voice low. "You bring me out here to start a war, Bai?"
Lucas chuckled, unbothered. "No war, Beauty. Just business."
Ava exhaled sharply. "Your kind of business always leads to war."
