She says Deep Dive in a low, pervy voice. I snort, and Soph cackles loudly.

‘Fucking amazing. How about Mindfulness Monday? Tension Release Tuesday? Feel-Good Friday? Oooh. This is so much fun.’

‘Elaine will think Brendan’s gone full yogi,’ I say between giggles.

‘I bet he could make downward dogs very fucking dirty,’ Soph muses. ‘Mmm, delicious.’

‘You’ve been fucking an old man for too long,’ Athena tells her. ‘Maybe you should take Tal up on her offer. Angry sex is better than old-man sex.’

‘Facts.’ Soph holds her once-again-empty martini glass up in a salute.

We all burst into laughter, and for the first time all week, I feel the tension in my shoulders release.

‘Seriously though,’ Sophia continues when our laughter subsides, ‘the trick is to remember that you're the asset here. Not just your body—your entire skillset. These men could fuck anyone. They're paying for the whole package—and that’s you. Also, remember he’s been mooning over you for weeks and weeks.’

‘Exactly,’ Athena agrees. ‘You didn't get selected because you're just a pretty face, M. You got selected because you're brilliant, capable, and yes, gorgeous. Own all of it.’

I take another sip, contemplating. ‘I guess I've been thinking of this as something happening to me, not something I'm actively choosing.’

‘And that,’ Soph says, tapping a perfect red nail against my glass, ‘is the difference between being a victim and being a seraph. These men may think they own us. God bless them, they don’t know how wrong they are.’

Athena's eyes meet mine. I know this expression. It’s her stern, bossy, I-love-you expression. ‘You're doing this for Tabby, we know that. But don't let that be an excuse to disconnect from your power. You chose this path because you're brave enough to do whatever it takes for her. That's strength, not shame.’

I feel something shift inside me—a subtle realignment. ‘I never thought of it that way.’

‘Well, start,’ Sophia says firmly. ‘Because the minute you own this, Brendan will sense it. And trust me, nothing gets a man like him hotter than a woman who knows her worth. He may like it when you submit, but that’s because he knows how meaningful that submission is. How valuable.’

Athena raises her glass. ‘To knowing our worth.’

As we clink our drinks together, I catch a glimpse of our reflection in the mirrored wall across from us—three glamorous women with knowing smiles and fierce eyes. For the first time since signing up as a Seraph, I don't think of myself as an imposter among them.

I may even allow myself to believe I belong.

‘Have you had any more ideas about how you’re going to get leave to take Tabs to the US?’ Athena asks.

‘I’ve pretty much thought about nothing else. It just goes around and around in my head.’