The Naturals, #2
Killer Instinct
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
Chapter 3
Overview
A playful Oreo poker game escalates when Lia pushes strip-poker vibes, but Cassie wins through a clever loophole. The mood shatters as Special Agent Veronica Sterling enters unannounced. Cassie’s memories of Agent Locke surge, underscoring lingering trauma. Sterling declares she will live in the Naturals’ house, signaling new oversight and change.
Summary
Cassie plays Oreo poker with Michael, Lia, Sloane, and Dean. Michael postures confidence, Lia reads his bluff but may be bluffing herself, and Sloane sits out, already far ahead. Pressed for chips, Cassie stays in despite poor odds.
Lia raises the stakes toward strip poker, removing her tank to reveal a bikini top. Sloane retreats for coffee as Michael and Dean end up shirtless, their scars visible. The hands are revealed: Michael shows a full house, but Cassie, who deliberately hadn’t checked her final cards to avoid tells, flips a stronger full house and wins.
The game halts when a crisp-voiced woman orders everyone to put shirts back on. Cassie’s thoughts flash to former mentor Agent Locke and the past shooting, triggering a surge of trauma. Dean steadies Cassie with a reassuring touch and assures her he knows the newcomer.
The woman identifies herself as Special Agent Veronica Sterling. After appraising the group, she announces that, effective immediately, she will be living in the Naturals’ house. The declaration shifts the tone from carefree to controlled, hinting at increased supervision and looming changes for the team.
Who Appears
- CassieProfiler; navigates poker mind games, wins via not checking her cards; experiences Locke-triggered trauma when Sterling arrives.
- LiaLie-spotter; pushes the game toward strip poker, reveals bikini top, challenges and taunts others during betting.
- MichaelEmotion reader; bluffs and shows a strong hand, shirtless scar visible; banters with Cassie and Dean.
- DeanProfiler; matches Michael’s challenge, shirtless scar noted; grounds Cassie during her flashback and recognizes Sterling.
- SloaneStatistician; card-counting ace hoards Oreos, debates chip conversion, fetches coffee during the escalation.
- Special Agent Veronica SterlingNew authority figure; enters unannounced, asserts control, and declares she will live with the Naturals.