Chapter Four:Chained with The Enemy
878 Words
I stared at the handcuffs locking my wrist to Raven’s. I couldn’t believe it. I had finally caught her—after weeks of chasing—and somehow, she still managed to turn it into a joke.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered, not even trying to hide the frustration in my voice.
She just grinned like this was all part of her fun little game. “Oh, come on,” she said, her voice dripping with amusement. “You said you wanted to catch me. Well... here we are. Together.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fire boiling in my chest. “And now what? You plan to drag me along while you escape?”
Raven tilted her head, pretending to think. “Hmm. That was the plan. But I guess you kinda ruined it by being, you know... attached to me.”
I tugged at the cuffs, testing their strength. No luck. These weren’t cheap. She planned this. Down to the last second.
“Where’s the key?” I asked, leveling my voice.
She smirked. “That’s the fun part.”
I frowned. “Raven.”
She fluttered her lashes, like she was some innocent girl caught in the wrong place. “Yes, detective?”
“The key,” I repeated, firmer this time.
Her smirk grew. “Let’s just say... it’s not with me.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. Of course. Of course, she would play this game.
“You tossed it somewhere, didn’t you?” I asked.
She clicked her tongue. “Detective, you wound me. What kind of thief do you take me for?” She leaned in, eyes twinkling. “Of course I have it.”
I shot her a look. “Then give it to me.”
She stepped back slightly, keeping our wrists close. “Can’t. It’s not in a place you can reach.”
I stared at her.
No. She wouldn’t.
She did.
“You hid the key on yourself,” I said flatly.
Her grin was all the answer I needed.
I muttered a curse under my breath. This woman was impossible.
“Relax,” she said, nudging me with her elbow like we were sharing a joke. “Think of it as a bonding experience. You and me. Partners for the night.”
“I’m not bonding with you,” I said sharply. “We need to move. This place won’t stay quiet for long.”
She gave me a dramatic sigh. “Fine. But if I’m helping, there’s one rule.”
I crossed my arms—well, as best I could with one wrist still stuck to hers. “Let’s hear it.”
“No complaints,” she said, eyes gleaming.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” she said. “If we’re going to work together, we do things my way.”
I scoffed. “Not a chance.”
She smiled sweetly. “Then I guess we stay here until morning.”
God, she was frustrating.
But she was right—we had to move. And fast. The longer we stood here arguing, the more likely someone would find us.
I clenched my jaw. “Fine. No complaints.”
“Good boy,” she said, patting my shoulder like I was a puppy.
I glared at her. “Let’s just go.”
She took the lead, dragging me behind her. And because of the handcuffs, I had no choice but to match her steps. We bumped into each other every few seconds, and every time we did, she laughed like this was the most fun she’d had all week.
By the time we reached the edge of the construction site, I was one second away from losing it.
“Can you stop pulling me like I’m a damn dog?” I snapped.
She gasped in fake shock. “Are you saying I walk like a dog?”
I ran a hand down my face. “I swear—”
Then I heard it.
Voices.
I froze, instinct kicking in. I grabbed Raven’s wrist—which was already cuffed to mine—and pulled her back into the shadows.
“Stay quiet,” I whispered.
She gave me a look. “You’re the one talking.”
I ignored her. My eyes scanned the site entrance.
Three men stood there. Big. Armed. Talking in hushed voices. One of them turned his head, and my blood ran cold.
Leo Rossi.
I knew that face from the files. He was dangerous. A fixer. And a traitor. The same guy who helped Raven escape last time.
I looked at her. “Friends of yours?”
She rolled her eyes. “Not friends. Business associates.”
“Let me guess,” I said. “The kind that’ll kill you if they find out you’ve screwed them over?”
She gave me a sheepish smile. “Probably.”
“Great,” I muttered. “Just great.”
Not only was I handcuffed to the most annoying thief in the city, but now we were being hunted by guys who’d shoot first and ask questions never.
Could this night get any worse?
I had a feeling it would.
To Be Continued...
- Writer
