The captive's kiss

y'd set up felt a lot like a fragile truce. He'd come and gone, delivering food, information, and the occasional jab that kept her on her toes. But with every passing day, the ange

ped in, his face unreadable. The now-familiar tension crackled in

he said, his voic

asked, bracing hers

nd, asking questions. They don't buy this disappearing act of you

her spine. "And

ey know I've been out of circulation lately. If they

hot running through her veins. "We can't ju

acing the room with an intensity matching her

trigued by the possibilities. "You're n

on. I will make it seem I have taken action over their te

her mind. "And what if it backfires? If they find this

f myself, but I need for you to keep your head down and stick to the sto

for me anyway?" she pressed, un

eyes briefly anchoring her. "You just continue to play your

not want to be left behind, trapped in a web of deceit, but she also knew that if

ally, her resolve se

ing much more introspective. "You will have to look the part. We have to make

peated. "What are

tement run through her. "First, we'll need to get you some ne

e what, a dress?" she s

in, to seem as though you've succumbed to my charisma and

h her defiance was a flicker of

ormation," he said, infectious enthusiasm lacin

she asked; there was a t

h an arched smile. "We're in the business of

t, let's do this," she said, determination rising in her voice.

reetlight cast an ominous glow on his chiseled features,

lled out in a tone that was

oned himself in front of her-a barrier of prote

h a deceptively even tone. "You kn

e. "She's not yours, Lucas. If you wan

, his eyes flashing wittily with shade

a knew there was a certain.history and animosity simmering just below

ed to go!" sh

ang on," he said, his eyes not

across his face. "Just a friendly little chat. You've ta

meant. She was the pawn in their game-a barg

than growled, his voic

nother step forward. "But I'll make you a deal. You can wal

sked; there was suspicion

g. "Join our side, and I'll make sure she doesn't get

ords; she couldn't believe the

pping from his voice. "You think I'd ev

ow what happens next. You ca

. She was not going to be a pawn in their depraved game. "Ethan!" she sh

amusement. "Ah, the brave little captive speak

t let you take her. You aren't as smart as you think, Lucas. I will neve

e. "Then let's see just how tough you really are, Ethan. You've made your choice, b

rd in reply, Lucas disappeared into the night

e trembling; she reached f

of emotions brimming in his

sion as they made their way through the darkened streets. Every step counted, it

of light ahead of them. "There!" she said, pointi

ndescript building. He rapped sharply on the door

h a wary expression filled the doorway. "Ethan?" he asked,

lied, pulling Ava inside as

lies hanging from the walls. Ava felt a spurt of anxiety at the

a low tone of urgency. "He's onto us,

around. "We can't afford to be

What if we use this against them?" she suggested. "As long as they think I'm still a pawn, we can l

e wheels churning inside his head. "It's a risk, but it could work.

can base our operations out of the safe house. We'll keep watch for any

he prospect of being in control. "We have to try and know

ill get in touch with a few contacts. We will gather information and tur

ipice of something monumental. The stakes had never been higher, and with

king onto hers, "we can't lose sight of w

lose to me," she replied; her resolution started to set in. "

hed the cusp of something that would change everything. The twisted game had barely

could unravel all they thought they knew, testin