The Villains Must Win-Chapter 333: Apocalyptic Romance 43

Sasha tipped her head back against the plating and watched dust dance in a shaft of light. "Looks like my boys are more loyal and trustworthy than your leader," she said, not gloating—just stating a fact that tasted too satisfying.

Dylan didn’t bite. He stared out the slit window at the ruined skyline, jaw working, and finally said, "I didn’t expect much from Ben. But I didn’t realize how little he values me."

Reyes snorted. "He only cares about himself, so don’t expect much from him."

"Which is to say," Alvaro said, "not enough."

Dylan considered that in silence. The van hummed around them, a steel heart beating steady. He looked at Sasha—hair tangled, dust on her cheeks, eyes bright and stubborn—and something unscientific loosened in his chest.

"I’ll transfer my expectations," he said lightly at last, and when Sasha arched a brow, he clarified, "From people who won’t come... to people who will."

Sasha’s smile was small and satisfied. "Smart man."

Cloud grumbled under his breath while Alvaro let out a long sigh. Both men wanted to scold Sasha — to tell her how reckless she’d been and how close she’d come to dying.

But they held back. They knew that look on her face: that sly grin that said she’d already decided what she wanted, and nothing they said could change it.

What made it worse was the way Dylan looked at her and they knew that it was already too late to stop whatever it was between them. That calm, analytical expression on his face only pissed them off more.

Both Cloud and Alvaro exchanged a glance that said everything — no words needed. Looks like the list of men drawn to Sasha was growing again.

And neither of them liked that one bit.

They roared toward the camp’s radio tower, a thin spear against the washed-out morning. Behind them, the city moaned and gnashed and remembered their scent.

Ahead of them, problems waited—Ben’s wounded pride, the politics of rations, the brittle hierarchy of men who hoarded more than food.

But in the cramped belly of the armored van, pressed together by steel and survival and something that felt inconveniently like hope, six people breathed as one.

Sasha leaned back against the seat, one eyebrow raised as she eyed the new face behind the wheel.

"By the way, who are you exactly?" she asked, her tone half-curious, half-suspicious.

The driver grinned, his bright green eyes gleaming beneath his messy red hair. "Name’s Jonathan—but everyone calls me Jones. I’m usually the raid team’s driver. Best one you’ve got."

"I see." Sasha smiled, arms crossed. "You’re good, and you have skills. You have managed to drive those tough narrow path and even managed to outmanoeuvre the horde."

Cloud chuckled. "Not just good—Jones here can fix, tune, or drive anything that has wheels or an engine."

"Oh?" Sasha turned her gaze on him, amused. "Coming from you, that’s high praise. Guess this kid really is something."

Jones puffed his chest proudly, rubbing his nose. "What can I say? I like cars. Especially that customized armored van of yours. Too bad Ben decided to make it his personal ride."

Reyes, the woman beside him, scoffed. "It’s not even his. That van’s meant for raids, not joyrides."

"It’s fine," Sasha said calmly, her tone softening. She had many custom armored van in her space ring anyway.

She then locked eyes with Reyes. Her smirk returned. "But what about you? Who are you supposed to be? I understand why Cloud and Alvaro would come for me—but you two..." Her gaze sharpened, voice dripping with playful warning. "Especially you. What’s your deal? Don’t tell me you’re after my boys?"

The shift in her tone was subtle, but everyone felt it.

Possessiveness.

Cloud and Alvaro exchanged a look and tried very hard not to smile. Sasha rarely got jealous, but when she did—it was dangerously adorable.

Reyes blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Jones leaned his elbow casually on the wheel, chuckling. "Relax, sis Sasha. Reyes here isn’t into guys. She’s more... interested in women." He grinned wider. "In fact, she insisted on joining this mission the moment she heard you were the one missing. Said she was smitten the first time she saw you."

. . .

. . .

"Huh?!"

"Huh?!"

The sound came in unison—from Sasha, Cloud, Alvaro, and Dylan.

Reyes’ face turned crimson. "What the hell are you spouting, Jones?!" She smacked him on the shoulder, her voice rising an octave. "Don’t talk nonsense in front of everyone!"

Jones only laughed harder. "You can deny it all you want, but I saw your face the first time you met her. You looked like a puppy that just found its owner."

"Shut up!" Reyes hissed, glaring daggers at him.

Cloud and Alvaro both grumbled darkly under their breath. Just when they thought Sasha’s jealousy might finally work in their favor... now they had a new rival to worry about.

Dylan, meanwhile, sighed heavily and adjusted his glasses. "So... that’s how it is, huh?"

Reyes turned to him, her cheeks still burning. "It’s not! Don’t get the wrong idea, okay? It’s not like I’m into her or anything! I just—" She faltered when her gaze met Sasha’s teasing smile. "Ugh... forget it!"

The three men froze, stone-faced, as the truth practically announced itself without needing words.

Sasha, on the other hand, tried to suppress her laughter but failed. "Oh, relax, all of you," she said, waving her hand. "Reyes, don’t worry. I don’t bite... unless provoked."

Reyes’ face somehow turned even redder, and Jones nearly doubled over laughing.

Cloud pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering, "And this is our life now..."

Alvaro sighed. "Apparently so. Another one for Sasha’s fan club."

Dylan only looked at Sasha for a long moment—his expression unreadable. He was glaring at her now too.

Sasha stretched lazily, the tension in the van replaced by laughter and the low hum of the road beneath them. For the first time in days, things almost felt... normal. Chaotic, messy, unpredictable—but alive.

She glanced around at her odd little group—her "boys," the blushing soldier, the cocky mechanic, and the brooding scientist—and smiled to herself.

"Looks like my family’s growing," she murmured under her breath.

And somehow, even in a world crawling with the undead, that thought made her heart feel a little less lonely.