The captive's kiss

pte

y fitful slumber. For a moment, the darkness of her surroundings was disorienting, and she had to remind hers

for a moment, studying her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. "Y

ybe that's because I'm a prisoner," she shot back, trying to allow de

curve into a half-smile. "You're feisty for

inge of bitterness and eyed the ropes that bound her wris

ression of casual confidence. "You don't seem too w

sent him a glare, crossing her arms protectively over her kn

voice was low, almost teasing. "But fea

r that he had more control than she liked to admit. "What do you w

anization," he said, his tone grave. "And why you w

ly prolong her stay in this location. "I'm not telling you anything," she said, fe

hing straight: if you want to play this game, you're going to have to learn t

asked, her curiosity g

l. "The world you are diving into is dangerous. You think you can expose

, yet his ardor unnerved her. "You're part of this world, whethe

. I'm not a savior. I'm a product of this world, just like you're

but she hardened in a fraction of a second, refusing to show weakness

understand, do you? It's not about bravery; it's abou

despised how he made her feel-angry, intrigued, and irrefutably drawn to him. There was

that small window, further casting long streaks on the walls. She tried to put aside thoughts of her life before-friends,

er kidnapper hunched in with a small tray of food and put

d, crossing his a

"What's the catch? You think I'll eat and do

ength if you are to keep up this little game of ours. His tone was strong. "You are a risk to both me and my or

k, her tone rising. "I'm locked in a room with a Ma

that you're angry, Ava. But this isn't about you and me any mo

us, her head thrown back. "Why would

d a fate worse than this," he replied in a low, serio

d her throat, but there was something in his gaze-an urgency that made her recons

a cover story. If they think you are with me willingly, they might leave you alone. I wi

edulous. "What makes you think I

"Look-I know you want to fight against the corruption in this city, but ri

g his words. If he was right, though, and the other gang was on the hunt, she needed to play the long game. "Fi

me of your own free will for protection. We can say you got in over your head with something bigger

king me to act like I'm okay with being

ve been acting like you're tough, which is good, but for this, you gotta be th

t. "And what if they don't buy it? What i

's where you have to trust me. I'll keep you safe, but you have t

ter involuntarily, and she swallowed hard. "A

, his eyes steady. "I'm risking my own saf

h over her. She was the kind of girl who fought back when injustices were thrown her way, and

er voice steady. "I'll play al

"I won't let anyone hurt you. But you gotta promise me

that rose from her depths. This was a leap of faith, o

han added, the glint of something mischievous lighting in his eyes. "You'll

ittering with the implication of t

to relax a little. A haircut perhaps, some makeup. We have to sell this illusion that yo

the thought. "Yo

returned this time very seriously. "And believe me, the moment

"But I won't wear anything revealing or play

rk dancing on his lips. "Let's kee

felt this weird mix of gratitude and anger towards Ethan, because he would protect he

said, taking a deep b

looking out for you while tracking the movements of the other gang. If they think I'm pro

ng with the possibilities. "And

the gravity of their situation clear in

undeniable connection was growing between them, and a part of her couldn't help but feel they were two

halting him in mid-stride

his eyes softening in s

As the shadows extended around Ava, she knew she was no longer a victim

that lay ahead. The tension between them and Ethan remained, but within this darkness, there was just a spark of hope that she