Break or Bend
1291 Words
He didn't stop looking at me. Not like a man seeing a stranger. Like a man trying to figure out where I fit.
“You understand enough?” he asked.
His voice was low, steady, like he already knew the answer.
“I understand I walked into something I shouldn’t have,” I said.
“That’s obvious.”
“Then we agree.”
His expression shifted slightly. He was not amused... he seemed interested.
"You’re not in a panic,” he said.
“I don’t see why.”
"Most people do."
"I'm not like most people."
None of his soldiers moved; they remained where they were, waiting and observing.
“You ran into this place,” he continued. “You stopped to observe even though there was gunfire behind you and no obvious way out."
"I had no other option."
"You always have an option."
"Not when someone is attempting to murder you."
My words hit him hard. His eyes narrowed a little.
"You were being shot at."
“Yes.”
“Why?”
"I have no idea."
He didn’t react immediately. He looked at me.
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I expect you to believe what you can prove.”
Everything I said seemed to get to him. He stepped closer to me slowly.
"Let's give that one more try," he said.
“Why were they shooting at you?”
“I told you.”
“You gave me an answer,” he replied. “Not the truth.”
I looked at him.
“And what’s the difference?”
“The truth doesn’t hesitate.”
“I didn’t hesitate.”
“You did,” he said quietly. “Right before you answered.”
Damn!! He noticed everything. I let out a slow breath, keeping my expression steady.
“Maybe I was deciding how much to tell you.”
“And what did you decide?”
“That you don’t need more than that.”
“Careful,” he said.
“I am.”
"No," he replied. "You're pushing your chances."
"Yet, I'm alive," I replied.
After clenching his jaw for a moment, it relaxed. "You think that this is a game."
“I’m not convinced you’ve figured me out.”
“And you’re fine with that?”
"I am out of options."
“You always have a choice.”
“Not with you.”
Abruptly, he extended his hand to take the package away from me. His fingers touched mine for a few moments. He opened it once more and carefully went through the contents.
Now he was more attentive. I watched him, observing his gaze as it scanned the papers.
His expression didn't reveal anything, but something changed. I sensed it.
“You’ve been busy,” he said.
“I work hard.”
“This isn’t casual work.”
“No.”
His eyes lifted to mine.
“This is targeted.”
I swear, for a moment... I could see that he was grinning.
"What are you?"
"Someone who is not welcome here."
"That's not a response."
"This is the only one you will receive."
His brows raised.
"You know who I am?" he asked.
I had a ton of answers to that question. I wanted to hold onto his neck, burst his eardrums with my scream, and tell him that he killed my father, but I held myself back.
“I know enough,” I replied.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I don’t need your name to understand what you do.”
“And what do I do?”
I looked into his eyes deeply.
“You control things from the shadows,” I said. “You don’t leave traces. You don’t make mistakes.”
A faint smile touched his lips again.
“Flattering.”
“It is accurate.”
“And yet,” he said, stepping closer again, “you walked straight into my world.”
“I didn’t plan to.”
“But you’re here now.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re not afraid.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You don’t act like it.”
“I act like I want to survive.”
“That’s not fear,” he said. “That’s control.”
“That’s experience.”
The tension rose higher now. The expressions on the faces of his men said it all. I was crossing the line, and at this point... I really didn't give a f**k about it.
“Kael,” he called out to one of the guys.
“Yes, boss.”
“Did anyone follow her?”
Kael shook his head. “We checked the perimeter. No movement.”
Raze’s gaze stayed on me.
“Interesting.”
“What is?” I asked.
“You came here alone,” he said. “With something like this.”
He lifted the file slightly. “That doesn’t happen by accident.”
“I told you, I was running.”
“From who?”
“I don’t know their names.”
“Try again.”
I exhaled slowly.
“They attacked my car. I got out. I ran. I saw lights and came here.”
“Straight into the worst place you could have picked.”
“I didn’t have a map.”
That almost sounded like a joke. Almost.
“You’re either very unlucky,” he said.
“Or?”
“Or you’re lying to me.”
“Then prove it,” I said, to spite him.
He didn't say anything. He just looked at me, his eyes searching my face, looking for something I wasn’t giving him.
“You watched him die,” he said.
“I did.”
“And you didn’t look away.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to see.”
His head tilted slightly.
“Most people would’ve looked away.”
“I’m not most people.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it’s true.”
He took another step closer. Now he was right in front of me, close enough to feel the weight of his presence. Close enough to remember that night, the blood, my father. I pushed it down and locked it away. Not now. Not here.
“People like you,” he said quietly, “don’t just appear in places like this.”
“Maybe you’re wrong.”
“I’m not.”
“Then figure it out.”
He stopped. “Kael.”
“Yes, boss.”
“She doesn’t leave.”
My fingers tightened slightly.
“And if I try?” I asked.
Raze didn’t look away from me.
“Then you’ll learn very quickly why that’s a bad idea.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“It is.”
“Noted,” I said. “You’re making a big mistake,” I added, and that caught his attention.
“How?”
“Keeping me here.”
“And why is that?”
“Because the longer I stay…”
I let the silence stretch just enough.
“…the more dangerous I become.”
For a second, nothing moved. Then something shifted in his eyes. It was not anger. It seemed like he believed everything I said.
Slowly, a cold smile spread across his face.
“I’m counting on it,” he said.
Then he stepped back.
“Take her.”
Kael moved immediately.
I did not resist because I wasn't stupid, and doing so now would be unwise.
But as they pushed me away, I took one final glance of him before a single, firm thought took hold of my mind.
I had finally uncovered the man I was supposed to murder, and now... I was in the right place.
- Writer
