The Devil’s Bargain

Luca stared at Killian, his mind racing. Every instinct screamed at him to run—but there was no escaping this. Not now.

Killian D'Angelo wasn't a man who made empty threats. If he said Luca would die for refusing, he meant it.

But working for Killian? That was its own kind of death.

Luca exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders. "So that's it? Work for you or die?"

Killian's smirk deepened. "Pretty much."

Luca clenched his jaw. He needed time. A way out.

His silence stretched too long. Killian sighed, pushing off the wall. "Think fast, Luca. I'm patient, but only to a point."

Luca met his gaze. "Fine."

Killian raised an eyebrow. "Fine?"

Luca's grip on his gun tightened. "I'll work for you."

For now.

Killian studied him, as if he could see the gears turning in Luca's head. But instead of calling him out on the lie, he simply smiled.

That smile sent a chill down Luca's spine.

He knows.

Killian nodded. "Smart choice."

Then he turned, walking out of the alley like he had all the time in the world. Luca followed, feeling the invisible chain tighten around his throat.

—

The First Job

Luca expected a test. Killian wasn't the type to hand out trust freely.

And he was right.

Less than an hour after agreeing to work for him, Luca found himself in a dimly lit warehouse, face-to-face with a man tied to a chair.

Blood dripped from his temple. His breathing was shallow.

Killian stood beside him, watching Luca with interest. "Prove yourself."

Luca's stomach twisted.

He'd done a lot of things to survive. Stolen. Lied. Fought. But this?

This was different.

The man's swollen eyes met his, pleading. Help me.

Luca's hands curled into fists.

Killian leaned in. "What's it gonna be, Luca?"

His voice was smooth, patient. Like he already knew the answer.

Luca had walked into the devil's den. And now, there was no turning back.

—

Next Chapter: A Line in the Sand