New Year, New .... Crisis ? [4]

"Once again, thank you for coming, and please do enjoy the party. I will end this speech with a toast," Mrs. Rauss raises her glass, prompting everyone in the room to follow.

"For a prosperous year!" she declares.

"For a prosperous year!" the crowd echoes, including me.

I keep my eyes locked on Mrs. Rauss. When her gaze finally meets mine, I raise my glass slightly higher before clinking it against Sara's and draining its contents in one go.

As Mrs. Rauss descends from the stage, Sara and I turn back to the bar. The bartender approaches quietly.

"She's coming," the bartender murmurs while pouring whiskey into my glass.

"Be ready," Sara whispers.

Moments later, the unmistakable voice calls out. "Quinny!!" Mrs. Rauss exclaims with a smile, her excitement palpable.

I turn slowly to face her.

"My son, I'm so happy you came," she says warmly, pulling me into an embrace.

"King made me," I reply flatly, not returning the hug.

"Happy New Year, Madam," Sara greets her with a genuine smile.

"Happy New Year, King. Thank you for convincing him to come," Mrs. Rauss replies sweetly.

Sara explains with a casual shrug, "Everyone else couldn't make it, so I forced Death to accompany me."

Mrs. Rauss nods. "Well, their absence gives me the chance to see my son," she says, smiling tenderly.

I glare at her, my emotions simmering. "Glad my presence makes you happy," I mutter, bitterness creeping into my voice.

"Of course it does," she says softly. "I just want you to be happy too, my son."

"Happiness is irrelevant. I only need to stay alive," I snap, my tone cutting. "And isn't that what you've always wanted, Madam?"

Her smile falters. "No, son. I've always wanted more for you. You deserve more."

I scoff. "More? You think forcing me into a soul-binding vow is wanting more for me?!"

"That vow had nothing to do with your happiness. I never forbade you from being with your family. In fact, I supported you—"

"You knew she hated you!" I interject, my voice rising. "I promised her I'd stop killing, that I'd never return to this... this organization!"

"And yet you're here. Do you regret it?" she asks calmly, her tone almost soothing.

My jaw tightens. "What if I do?"

"You'll die," she replies matter-of-factly. "And your family will die with you."

Her words pierce through me like ice. My fists clench as I lean closer. "What if I die in the line of duty? Will they still be safe?"

"For their sake, you'd better not die," she replies coolly, her composure unwavering.

I slam my hand onto the bar, the sound echoing in the room. "You promised to keep them safe!" I growl, my voice trembling with suppressed rage.

"As long as you're in the organization," she reminds me, her tone still infuriatingly calm. Sara pinches my elbow, trying to ground me.

"What about when I retire?" I demand, my voice cracking with desperation.

"You retire when you die," she states simply. "So, please, Quint, don't die. Again."

The words hit me harder than I expect. My chest tightens, and a hollow ache grows in my stomach. I slump back onto the barstool, staring into the empty glass in front of me.

"You don't care about me," I murmur, my voice quieter but heavy with emotion. "You only care about what I can do for you."

"That's not true," she says, her tone softening for the first time.

"You manipulated me into this. You've taken everything from me!" My voice rises again, filled with anguish. "My freedom, my choices, my family's safety—all of it hinges on your terms! How is that not a goddamn prison?!"

Mrs. Rauss steps closer, her gaze steady but now tinged with sadness. "Quint, you're right. I've made you sacrifice more than anyone else. But everything I've done was to protect you and the people you love."

"Protect me?" I laugh bitterly. "You've shackled me to this life. I can't protect my family without you, and I can't leave without risking their lives! How is that protection?"

"Quint," she says softly, placing a hand on my arm. "Listen to me."

"Why should I?" I snarl, jerking away from her touch. "You've lied to me before. You've twisted everything to suit your needs. Why the hell should I trust you now?"

Her hand trembles slightly as she retracts it. For the first time, there's a flicker of vulnerability in her expression. "Because despite everything, I've never broken my promise to you. Your family is alive and safe because of me."

The room feels unbearably quiet. My shoulders heave as I struggle to regain control of my emotions.

"Quint," her voice is gentle now, almost maternal. "Breathe. Calm yourself. Don't let your anger cloud what truly matters."

I clench my jaw, refusing to meet her eyes.

"You have every right to be angry with me. But you need to trust me when I say this: I will never let anything happen to your wife or your daughter. They are safe. You have my word."

Her words seep through my fury, anchoring me. My breathing slows, though my fists remain tightly clenched.

"You promise?" I whisper, my voice hoarse.

"I promise," she replies firmly. "As long as you and I are alive, they will be safe. Always."

The finality in her tone quells the fire inside me. Slowly, I nod, the tension in my body easing.

I slump back onto my barstool and gesture for the bartender to refill my glass. He shakes his head a couple of time but eventually complies, pouring another shot of whiskey. I drink it in one go, casting a glance at Sara.

"So, Madam," Sara interjects, taking over. "You're saying we can only retire when we die?"

Mrs. Rauss nods. "Yes. I assumed you knew that already. There's no exit from this organization except through death."

Sara and I exchange a tense look.

Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupts. "Hello, Mother dear," Penelope greets, sliding her arms silkily around Mrs. Rauss from behind. "Happy New Year, Mom."

"Oh, Penny... You came too," Mrs. Rauss replies warmly, hugging her daughter.

My attention zeroes in on the bracelet dangling from Penelope's wrist—a bracelet that should have been on Jennifer's wrist.

"It's you!!" I snarl, rage surging through me. Instead of letting her hug me, I grab her arm, the one adorned with the stolen bracelet.

"Hey!!" Penelope yelps, startled by my harsh grip.

"Give me the bracelet back!" I growl, my hand clawing at the jewelry. But no matter how hard I try, I can't remove it. The bracelet's enchantment protects her, just as it should have protected Jennifer.

Penelope wriggles free, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "Oh, do you like this bracelet, dear brother?" she taunts, raising her arm to flaunt it.

I lunge for her hand, but the bracelet's power keeps me at bay. Each attempt to grab it fails, and Penelope's laughter fuels my fury.

"Why can't you get it, brother? Don't you want this bracelet for your wife? Oh, wait... you don't have a wife to protect anymore, do you?"

Her words snap something inside me. With a roar, I charge at her, knocking her to the ground. Pinning her beneath me, I grab her wrists and slam them against the floor.

"Give it to me!" I snarl, trying with all my might to shatter the bracelet. Sara's and Mrs. Rauss's voices echo in the background, shouting for me to stop, but I ignore them.

"Why can't you break it, dear brother? Don't you love her anymore?" Penelope's venomous taunts cut deeper than any blade.

Blinded by rage, I strike her face, forgetting the bracelet's protective power. Each punch rebounds, slamming into my own face, but I don't stop.

"Quint! Stop!! STOP!!!" Mrs. Rauss's voice finally breaks through, but I can't pull myself away.

Suddenly, a hand grips me with overwhelming force, yanking me off Penelope and onto my feet. Before I can retaliate, Master Derrick steps between us, holding me back.

"Quint, stop!" he hisses, his imposing presence halting my rampage.

"I'll kill her!" I scream, still struggling to break free.

"You can't, and you know it," Derrick says firmly, his voice anchoring me to reality.

Behind him, Penelope laughs as she's helped to her feet by Mrs. Rauss. "This bracelet ensures your wife's safety," she sneers, her words dripping with mockery.

"Aaarrgh!!" I roar, trying to charge at her again, but Derrick's strength keeps me in place.

"Leave the party," Mrs. Rauss commands Penelope coldly.

"But, Mom—"

"Leave. Now," Mrs. Rauss repeats.

Penelope pouts but obeys, pausing only to wave her bracelet-laden wrist at me. "See you, brother," she mocks before disappearing from sight.

I collapse to my knees, tears of frustration streaming down my face. "The bracelet... it's hers. She needs it," I murmur.

"Quint, let it go," Mrs. Rauss says softly, kneeling beside me. "They're safe. Your family is safe under my protection."

"Promise me," I demand, my voice breaking. "Promise me you'll protect them with your life."

"I promise," she replies firmly. "As long as we both live—me and you—they'll be safe."

Her assurance cools the fire inside me. Slowly, I nod, the tension in my body easing.

@@@@@QUICK QUZZ@@@@@

Black Widow was actually there in the party. Can you glance where or who she bcame ? Write on the comment below