The Price of Protection    

"Can you leave me and my granddaughter alone? I need to talk to her in private." Sinclair's voice was calm, but it carried the weight of command.

There was no room for negotiation.

Lina glanced at me, her expression softening with concern as she gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"We'll be right outside the door if you need us," she reassured me, before walking out of the room.

The door clicked shut behind her, and the silence that followed was suffocating. I was now alone with Sinclair and Victor, the air in the room thick with tension.

I appreciated Lina's kind gesture, but I knew what I had to do. My resolve couldn't be shaken, not even by her warmth or kindness. If I was going to carve my own path, I had to break free from all of them, forge my way without relying on anyone.

The first step would be to accept Sinclair's deal.