Shadows of deceit

wling gardens outside. The movement felt deliberate, as if he w

disobedience, Hazel," he said,

e now. And I will not let anyone hurt you."he

could not. His words struck deep, and for a moment, I wondered i

ed, his voice softer now, b

s," I whispered, though the wo

sing, like he was waiting for something mo

verything that had happened. I kept on

od. "Now, let's make sure you unde

y spoke, his actions spoke volumes. His men were everywhere, watching, listening. I was never le

l intimidating in their own ways, but none of them came close to matching the power that Jack exuded. It was lik

me a task. A simple t

ut with an underlying intensity. "He will be at the old warehouse by th

arguing. I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. He had

sence was enough to make me feel like I was being suffocated. They did not

with dust and the smell of rust. I tried to keep my head down, to avoid drawing attention to myself, but it was

ce and a scar that ran down his cheek. His eyes were sharp, calculating, and he gave me a long lo

" he said, his voic

I did not know what to say to him. I

arby. "Your boss sent me a message.

tes, unsure of what was inside

the man added, his voice firm. "You a

hesitantly, my fingers trembling. My mind raced with questions.

you should know about Jack's world," he said, his voice low and threatening, "is that t

quickly shook it off. I could not afford to show

he package in my hands felt like a symbol of everything I was being d

my hands still trembling. He did not say a word as he took i

ng on me for a moment longer than I expected. "Bu

occasionally with a few tasks or demands, but he never fully explained his intentions. I began

ielded over me, and his men were always around, watching my every move. Even the slightest gestu