Page 91 of Nocturne

“And that’s my problem because?” he cocks his head slightly, regarding me with those empty eyes.

I want to scream, but desperation pushes me forward. “You saved me before! Doesn’t that mean anything?”

“Do you plan on making a habit of this?” he drawls, and I can’t tell if he’s serious or just playing with me.

I make a frustrated sound from my throat and turn towards the stranger. His eyes narrow at my hopeful expression, and before I can even ask him,

“No.” He declares in his equally cold voice that shuts me up quickly.

“They’re in here!” I hear one of the thugs say as they beat the side walls of the container.

Grasping onto the springs of desperation, I step closer to Zagan, trying to contain my tears of fear. With a muddled brain which can think of nothing but making it out alive from here, I don’t think before I grab onto one of his hands with both of mine. Even in this dire situation, I can’t help but notice how hard and callous they are. How contrasting they are from my smooth cotton palms.

His eyes snap down to where I am clutching onto him with mad desperation, and his eyes flicker with something I cannot give a name to.

“Please? What do you need? I will give you anything in my power. Please help us.” When he looks back at me, those pools of grey are filled with something so dark and challenging that I start to reconsider my offer.

“Two.” He says.

“Huh?”

“I need two things from you for the two lives I help.” He announces in a no-nonsense tone.

What did I even expect from him?

That somehow, because he dropped a kiss which could or could not be my imagination, saved me a few times and cared when I was chilly, that would change what he is?

He is a criminal whose hands are stained with questionable dealings, and he never acts without a price. A slight pang of disappointment sits heavily on my heart when he needs conditions to save me. As insane as it might sound, I thought that his uncharacteristic behaviour around me meant something.

I don’t even know him well enough to recognise what his usual behaviour might be. Yet I clung to my delusions, because they aligned with what I wanted to feel. How foolish of me to be dragged into a play like this once again.

“What?! That is-“

One glare from Zagan and Ivy slinks back into the corner with a squeak. I look back at the stranger, trying in one last attempt to see if he would help us.

“They can drag you out of here kicking and screaming, and I still wouldn’t give a fuck. So be smart and take his offer while he is being nice,” he says while he scrolls through his mobile.

“Rude git,” I grumble under my breath as I turn back towards Zagan.

If he heard what I whispered, he doesn’t let it show on his face. Steeling my spine, I try to ready myself for whatever he wants from me. But… Before I can say a word, Ivy throws her hands up.

“Take it. Take whatever deal it is.”

“All right.” I sigh.

It feels like I am signing my will off to the devil.

Zagan takes a step forward, forcing me to take one back. His eyes shine dangerously as he bends down so that our faces are aligned in front of each other. He slowly removes his cigarette from his lips and crushes it under his expensive shoes.

“Fair warning. You won’t walk away from my deal, little siren. Your picket-fenced life wouldn’t survive it.” His voice dips, laced with quiet malice.

I have to gulp down my choke as I try to find my voice.

“Okay. What’s the first one?” I breathe.

Better get this over with before the courage leaves my body, along with the draining adrenaline. What could he even possibly want from me? I mean, all I have might account for nothing in front of his vast wealth. Did he acquire a biochemistry lab, perhaps? Did he want me to work for him? Because if that’s the case-

“Kiss me.”

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