"Finally," the man said with a slow clap. "The great Rayan… looking distracted."
Rayan didn't react. "You talk too much."
The man smiled. "And you don't talk enough. That's always been your problem."
Ava whispered, "Who is he?"
Rayan didn't look at her. "Someone who should be dead."
The man laughed. "Harsh. But fair."
"Step back," Rayan said quietly to Ava.
"I'm not leaving you," she replied.
"I'm not asking you to leave. I'm asking you to stay alive."
"That includes staying with you."
Rayan clenched his jaw. "You don't listen, do you?"
"No. Not when it comes to you."
The man tilted his head. "Interesting."
Rayan's eyes darkened. "Don't."
"Oh, I'm very interested," the man continued. "You never let anyone get close. And now look at you."
Ava stepped forward slightly. "Can someone explain what's going on?"
The man looked at her. "Of course. You deserve the truth."
Rayan's voice dropped. "Say one more word—"
"And what?" the man interrupted. "You'll shoot me? In front of her? Go ahead."
Silence.
Tense.
Sharp.
Ava looked between them. "Rayan… what is he talking about?"
Rayan didn't answer.
"See?" the man smirked. "Still hiding things."
"Stop," Rayan said.
"No," the man replied calmly. "She deserves to know who she's trusting."
Ava's voice shook slightly. "Rayan… tell me he's lying."
Rayan stayed silent.
That was enough.
Ava took a step back. "You're not even denying it?"
"It's not that simple," Rayan said.
"It never is with you!" Ava snapped.
The man chuckled. "He used to work for us."
Ava froze. "What?"
Rayan's eyes closed briefly.
The man continued, "Not just work. He was one of the best."
"Shut up," Rayan warned.
"But he left," the man added. "And we don't like people who leave."
Ava looked at Rayan. "Is it true?"
Rayan opened his eyes.
"…Yes."
The word hit harder than anything else.
"You lied again," Ava whispered.
"I didn't lie," Rayan said. "I just didn't tell you everything."
"That's the same thing!"
"No, it's not."
"It is to me!"
The man smiled. "This is getting emotional."
Rayan snapped, "Stay out of it!"
"I am in it," the man replied. "That's the point."
Ava shook her head. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Rayan stepped closer. "Because I knew this would happen."
"What?"
"You'd look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like I'm the enemy."
Ava's voice broke slightly. "I don't know what you are anymore."
Silence.
The man clapped again. "Perfect. Exactly what I wanted."
Rayan turned sharply. "What do you want?"
The man smiled. "You."
"Not happening."
"Then her."
Ava's heart stopped.
Rayan's voice turned deadly calm. "Don't."
"Oh, I will," the man said. "Unless you come back."
Ava looked at Rayan. "Come back where?"
Rayan didn't answer.
The man stepped closer. "To us."
Ava shook her head. "No."
Rayan said nothing.
"Say something!" Ava shouted.
Rayan's jaw tightened. "If I go back… they leave you alone."
Ava stared at him. "And you?"
He didn't respond.
The man smiled wider. "See? He understands."
Ava grabbed Rayan's arm. "You're not actually considering this, right?"
Rayan looked at her.
"I don't have a choice."
Her grip tightened. "You always have a choice!"
"Not this time."
"Why?!"
"Because it's your life!"
Silence.
Ava's eyes filled with disbelief. "You think I want that?"
"It doesn't matter what you want."
"It does to me!"
The man sighed. "This is taking too long."
He pulled out a gun.
Ava froze.
"Decision time," the man said. "You come with me… or she doesn't leave alive."
Rayan stepped forward instantly. "Put the gun down."
"Make me."
Ava whispered, "Rayan…"
"Don't move," he said softly.
The man smirked. "Three seconds."
"Don't do this," Rayan said.
"One."
Ava's breath shook.
"Two."
"Stop!" Ava shouted.
"Three—"
"Fine!" Rayan snapped.
Silence.
The man lowered the gun slightly. "Good choice."
Ava stared at Rayan. "No… no, you can't—"
"I can," he said quietly.
"You're not leaving me like this!"
"I'm not leaving you," he replied.
"Then what are you doing?!"
"Saving you."
Tears filled her eyes. "I don't need saving like this!"
Rayan stepped closer.
His voice softer now.
"But I do."
Ava shook her head. "Don't do this… please."
For a moment—
Everything stopped.
Then Rayan leaned closer, whispering—
"Trust me."
Ava's voice broke. "You said I shouldn't."
"I know."
He stepped back.
The distance between them felt infinite.
The man smiled. "Touching."
Rayan walked toward him.
Ava screamed, "Rayan, don't!"
He didn't stop.
Didn't turn.
Didn't look back.
And that—
That hurt more than anything.
🔥