It’s Amara and she immediately tells Flora to leave

Amara takes Flora’s place. A heavy sigh parts from her. “I just finished speaking to Alexandra.”

“How much did she tell you?”

Amara smirks slightly. “Oh, she’s my little soldier. You’re curious whether or not she told you slept with them?”

Your face felt hot, but that was your unspoken question.

“Alexandra told me everything that led up to what could have triggered the events that unfolded and brought you back,” Amara keeps her gaze fixed on you. “In all honesty, I’m beyond furious, and I could kill you both. As far as I’m concerned, Scarlet was the best contractor, better than Kenji in some reports. But I can’t replace either of you, so we’re stuck together until some of my own runners come back.”

“Runners? Like the tiger cubs?”

“Tigers? They’re fox NSHs,” Amara says. “You wouldn’t know them. But, unfortunately, the locals in this area aren’t exactly mutant friendly.”

Delilah comes to mind, but you don’t dare ask any more questions.

“I’m asking you to turn in your contract,” Amara deadpans. “Without Scarlet needing a direct partner, I don’t see myself needing your services any longer.”

“Sounds like you’re going to need me more than ever,” you say, secretly happy to know you’re being terminated. “Especially now.”

“It’s bad enough I can’t trust Alexandra fully. The last thing I want is some random contractor wandering around that I can’t trust either,” she says. “Or are you just planning on drugging me too?”

“Of course not,” you tell Amara. Though as you look at her, you can’t deny how beautiful she is too. Under different circumstances, you might have played your cards with her. “If you’ve made up your mind, I can’t challenge it.”

Amara squints. She was expecting more fighting, apparently. “Of course, I’ll also add all my notes about your bad performance. It’ll black mark your contracting career.”

Your contractor career was already going to take a hit when you started escorting Flora back to her kin. But you put on a show anyway. “Honest contractors don’t have perfect records. I’m used to salvaging my titles back after something goes south.”

“That’s a terrible way to run a business.”

You had something to say about that but hold your tongue. The last thing you wanted was to offend her at a personal level, so all you do is shrug. “To each their own.”

“Whatever,” Amara spits. “You can stay with us until the first caravan comes in. Leave with them. I’ll even help you pay the fee and recommend you as a guard.”

“Caravans aren’t exactly picky choosers. I doubt I’ll need your help getting me out of town.”

Amara takes this as her cue to shrug now. “Alright. I’ll let you rest now. I’m docking half your pay too, by the way.”

Is she really looking for a fight?

“I get it,” you say, somewhat annoyed. “Stop with the third degree.”

Without another word, Amara stands up and leaves the room. You wait a few more minutes expecting Flora to return, but there’s no such luck. So you roll over and close your eyes, returning to your much-needed sleep.