The Assassin's Bargain

Av

ehow, I was still alive. The opulent penthouse, with its sleek furnishings and serene ambiance, had become my ne

was ghostly, my eyes sunken from sleepless nights, but the bruises and cuts from the accident had begun to

presence felt like a dark cloud. But today, he stood in my doorway once more,

rked, his voice low but tinged wit

had saved my life, sure, but at what cost? I had no rea

me. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, looking every bit the m

th small talk. His

low, laced with a subtle threat.

ding his cold stare. "Wh

retrieve something. A weapon of immense power. It could solidify my family's st

d. "What kin

to go into all the details. Just think of it as the key to controlling all t

rd. "You want

whatever you want to call it. The artifact is locked away and he

htly, but I did

ough the air like a knife. "You've killed before, Ava.

ling with disbelief and fear. "Wh

er you want to or not. Without me, you'll die. Your past employers, the ones who hired you befor

the ones who'd been hunting me all this time, were merciles

e, and in return, I'll keep you alive. I have the connections, the power, and the men t

own my spine, and I hate

im, but deep down, I knew I couldn't. The world I once knew ha

aightforward. You do this, and you get

ching the edge of the table,

his felt diffy. This felt

think. But the clock is ticking, Ava. Don't make me

toward the door, leaving me alon