TRAPPED TOGETHER
848 Words
CHAPTER SIX: TRAPPED TOGETHER
"A Line They Can’t Cross"
"A Deal with the Devil"
Zyrah tapped her fingers against the table, studying Aziel like he was some kind of unsolvable puzzle.
"So let me get this straight," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Your master plan is to provoke powerful men, expose a criminal network, and expect not to get murdered in the process?"
Aziel smirked, swirling his whiskey. "Pretty much."
Zyrah exhaled sharply. "You're insufferable."
He leaned forward, that infuriating glint in his eyes. "And yet, you can’t stay away."
Zyrah ignored the heat crawling up her spine. "I work for you, Rune. I don’t have a choice."
Aziel clicked his tongue. "You keep telling yourself that, sweetheart."
Zyrah shot him a glare. "And stop calling me that."
Aziel grinned, unbothered. "Would you prefer ‘darling’? ‘Angel’? ‘Love of my life’?"
She snatched a napkin and threw it at his face.
Aziel caught it effortlessly, chuckling. "Feisty."
Zyrah pinched the bridge of her nose. "I hate you."
Aziel propped his chin on his hand. "No, you don’t."
She was seconds away from strangling him.
And the worst part? He knew it.
---
"An Unwanted Guest"
Before Zyrah could deliver a properly scathing comeback, a voice cut through the restaurant’s ambiance.
"Aziel. I was hoping to find you here."
Zyrah turned—and instantly regretted it.
Standing before them was Cassian Vaughn.
He was a snake in designer suits, a CEO with a dangerous charm and an even more dangerous reputation.
Aziel’s smirk vanished. "Cassian."
Cassian’s gaze flickered to Zyrah. "And who’s this?"
Aziel leaned back, draping an arm over the booth’s backrest, effectively boxing Zyrah in. "My assistant. She bites, so don’t get too close."
Zyrah rolled her eyes. "Charming."
Cassian’s lips curved into a smirk. "You have a sharp tongue. I like that."
Aziel’s grip on his glass tightened.
Zyrah gave Cassian a bored look. "And you have an inflated ego. I don’t like that."
Cassian laughed. "I see why you keep her around, Aziel. She’s quite… entertaining."
Aziel’s smirk returned, but it was colder this time. "She’s also off-limits."
Cassian raised an eyebrow. "That sounded possessive."
Aziel tilted his head. "Maybe it was."
Zyrah hated the way her stomach twisted at his words.
Cassian chuckled. "Interesting. Very interesting." He straightened his suit. "Enjoy your evening, Rune. I’ll be seeing you soon."
And just like that, he disappeared into the crowd.
Zyrah turned to Aziel. "What the hell was that?"
Aziel swirled his drink. "A problem."
Zyrah narrowed her eyes. "And what kind of problem is he?"
Aziel’s gaze darkened. "The kind that might get us killed."
---
"Under Attack"
They were halfway to the hotel when Zyrah’s instincts screamed at her.
Something wasn’t right.
The black SUV following them? Too close. Too persistent.
"Aziel," she said, voice low.
"I see them," he muttered.
The traffic light turned red. Their car slowed.
And then—
BANG!
Gunshots. Shattered glass. Screams.
"DOWN!" Aziel roared, grabbing Zyrah and pulling her against him as bullets ripped through the windows.
Their driver swerved, crashing into a street post.
Zyrah’s heart pounded. "Are you hit?"
Aziel checked himself. "No. You?"
She shook her head. "We need to move. Now."
Aziel kicked the door open, pulling Zyrah out with him.
The SUV screeched to a stop. Masked men jumped out.
Aziel grabbed her hand. "Run."
They bolted down an alley, dodging bullets, weaving through shadows.
Zyrah’s lungs burned, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t.
Aziel’s grip never wavered.
But the second they rounded a corner—
Another car blocked their escape.
They were trapped.
---
"A Forced Refuge"
Aziel scanned their surroundings. No exits. No backup.
Zyrah was already thinking ahead.
"There." She pointed to a rundown abandoned bookstore.
Aziel didn’t hesitate. They darted inside.
The scent of dust and forgotten stories filled the air.
Aziel locked the door, then turned to Zyrah.
"Are you sure you’re not an ex-spy?"
Zyrah gave him a dry look. "If I were, you’d be dead already."
Aziel chuckled. "Hot."
She smacked his arm. "Focus."
Footsteps approached.
Aziel grabbed her wrist, pulling her behind a tall shelf.
They stood too close.
His body heat, his scent, the way his breath ghosted against her skin—
It was too much.
"You okay?" he murmured.
Zyrah swallowed. "Fine."
"Liar."
She glared up at him. "You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?"
Aziel smirked. "A little."
Zyrah was about to retort when—
A shadow passed the window.
Aziel went rigid.
They weren’t safe yet.
---
"The Line Blurs"
Minutes passed. The street fell silent.
Zyrah let out a breath. "I think they’re gone."
Aziel nodded but didn’t move.
He was still too close.
His eyes dipped to her lips—just for a second.
Zyrah’s heartbeat stuttered.
Aziel smirked. "You’re blushing, Vexley."
She scoffed, shoving him away. "Shut up."
He chuckled, but there was something different in his eyes.
Something dangerous.
Something that made Zyrah’s chest tighten.
"Come on," he said. "Let’s get out of here."
Zyrah followed—but something told her…
This was only the beginning.
---
- Writer
