Page 71 of Alessia
His smirk widened, and for a moment, I thought he might laugh. “Fiery. I like that. But if you want to see her again, you’ll listen. I didn’t risk my own life just to hand her over without getting something in return.”
My jaw tightens. “What do you want?”
“Not much,” he said with a shrug, his tone almost casual. “I just want your guarantee that I’m getting out of this alive.”
I froze, my mind racing. “My guarantee?”
He nods, his smirk fading into something more serious. “Assisting you in freeing Harper is dangerous for me. It will be a bloodbath and I want to go home to my family. So…”
“So? What?”
“I pledge my allegiance to you.”
I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him right. “You’re pledging your what?”
He steps forward, his posture shifting into something more open, “My allegiance,” he repeats, his tone steadier now.
“I’ll help you get Harper back, no strings attached. But when this is over, you owe me. You’ll protect me. My family.”
I cross my arms, trying to mask my confusion.
“Why would someone like you suddenly want to switch sides? What’s your angle?”
He hesitates for a second and reaches up to rub the back of his neck, his fingers brushing against the tattoo.
“Because I know what happens when people like them win. They don’t let anyone walk away clean. Not even someone as valuable as me. If I go back after this, it’ll be my head on a spike. And if I don’t go back, they’ll find my family.”
I search his face, looking for any sign of deceit, but he seems… genuine.
“So, this isn’t about loyalty for you.” I say, narrowing my eyes. “It’s about survival, isn’t it?”
“Call it what you want. But I’ve seen what they’re capable of. You’re the only shot I have at getting out of this alive. And Harper? She’s the only leverage either of us has left. So, yes, I’m pledging my allegiance to you. To her. Whatever it takes to make sure we all make it out of this in one piece.”
The weight of his words hangs between us. I can’t decide if he is trying to manipulate me or if he truly believes what he is saying. Either way, he isn’t wrong about one thing: I need his help.
“Alright.” I say finally, my voice firm. “But let’s get one thing straight, if you screw me over—”
“I won’t,” he interrupts, holding up a hand.
“This is my best shot too, Alessia. Trust me or don’t, but I’ve already made my choice.”
I studyhim for a moment longer, then nod. “Fine. You’re in. But if we’re doing this, you follow my lead. No surprises, no detours. We get Harper, and we all walk out alive. Got it?”
“Crystal clear…”
25
