The Assassin's Bargain

Av

wn the alley, my heart pounding in my chest

ed my fingers as I pressed a

they'd turn on me the

down my spine. The men who had once been my allies-trusted pa

arp pain in my side only intensifying my urge to flee. They woul

glanced back. A shadowy figure appeared in the di

corn

s filthy depths, praying they wouldn't spot me

a sharp yelp as one of them got too close. They

oaring in my ears. But then... another voice em

ing through the chaos like a knife. "If

hell i

ipped the edges of my jacket, pressing against the cold metal

ghts. Flash

s. Not th

a man stepped out, tall and imposing, dressed in black. The moonlight glinted o

out who he was. I didn't ha

I wasn't dying h

ep breath a

stopped me in my trac

round beneath me spun as I gasped fo

from the SUV walking toward me,

-

ict

car, I realized this was more

ce at the wrong time. She'd crossed paths with the wron

y sound being the echoes of my

body was limp, barely hanging on. I had anticipated more resistance, more fight, but I should have kno

had fo

y gloves already on as I felt for her pu

't dead.

to myself. "What kind of

my team. "Get he

closely, my mind racing. If they recognized her, she was already dead. If anyone und

t afford to w

rpened. She was going to survive. And

ng I need. And

-

Av

nto my ribs. I was

e hell

s dull now. I tried to move, but something held me in

le. Low and

re aw

as I turned t

from t

imposing, his dark eyes studying me with

ed, my voice rough fro

narrowed a bit, and I could sense the we

said, his tone carrying an und

the

ody protested. The pain lingere

ser, his voice softening just a tou

my spine-his cold, detached demeanor made me feel li

ked again staring a

uld be asking" he added.