Chapter 4 — Nial
She sat in silence, strapped to a wooden chair with a single bulb hanging above her. The glow was warm, putting her in the spotlight while the rest of the room was swallowed by darkness.
The hood had been taken off her head, and from the shadows, I watched her closely. She didn’t panic, didn’t shake—she just sat there, calm and composed. Most people would’ve lost it by now, whimpering and screaming for help.
Not this one.
The expression on her face was blank, and the only emotion flashing in her eyes was anger. She stared into the darkness, her fingers curled and her jaw locked, as her chest heaved with controlled breaths.
In the darkness, I looked right at her, intrigued by this woman’s bravery. Her file did hint that she wasn’t the kind to be easily intimidated. That was why I wanted to interrogate her myself.
We hadn’t even begun yet, and I was already fascinated by her calmness in this situation. In her mind, she was alone right now, meaning this was her opportunity to show any sign of fear or desperation.
I expected her to at least struggle with the ropes that bound her wrists to the chair. Or maybe curse at her kidnappers—yell or even beg for her life.
But she didn’t. Instead, she remained as calm as possible.
Interesting.
“Are we just gonna pretend like you’re not in here?” she asked, staring into the shadows. “I know I’m not alone. I can smell your cologne.”
My brows arched reflexively. She wasn’t just a brave woman with a pretty face; she was also observant.
Remarkable!
My shoes scuffed against the concrete as I stepped out of the shadows, one hand in my pocket.
“So you’re the big bad wolf, huh?” She stared at me with contempt. “The one who sent his goons to kidnap a defenseless woman.” Her voice was steady, yet laced with disdain.
Silence.
“What do you want with me?”
“I’m not sure you understand how interrogations work,” I replied. “I’ll be asking the questions.”
She clenched her jaw.
“What’re you doing poking your nose in my business?”
She sneered, her lips curling into a faint smirk. “I’m a lawyer. It’s part of my job to look into criminal activity.”
“You think that makes you brave?”
“It has nothing to do with bravery,” she replied, glaring at me. “Some of us can’t stand monsters like you, and we’re dedicated to flushing evil from this world.”
I let out a dismissive scoff at the ridiculousness of her statement. “Yeah, good luck with that.”
“I can guarantee you, you’re not gonna be that tough when you stand before a judge, atoning for your crimes.”
Slowly, I began circling her chair. “Your faith in the justice system is remarkable…Kiera.” I swiped my fingers through her golden-brown hair. “But unfortunately, that’s not how things work in real life.”
“Is this the part where you tell me you own half the city, including the cops and the lawmakers?” The sarcasm in her tone couldn’t be more glaring. “Newsflash, you don’t.”
I stood in front of her again, a small smirk tugging at my mouth. “You underestimate the power of money. With enough, anyone can be bought.” I leaned in, my face mirroring hers. “Anyone.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” she replied through gritted teeth. “Not everyone is corrupt. Not all of us want your dirty money.” Her frown deepened.
Na?ve girl. She had no idea how the world really worked. This wasn’t some Hollywood movie where the good guy always won. This was real life, where the good guys were trampled by men like me.
Everyone had a price. She didn’t know that yet. Or maybe she just didn’t want to accept it.
“You’re a criminal, and your place is behind bars,” she growled, eyes flashing with unfiltered hatred.
“Who’s gonna put me there, you?” I bent forward, my eyes boring into hers. “You’re like a tiny bug in the palm of my hand, and all I have to do is squash you.” My expression darkened, and my voice deepened.
She paused for a moment. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“You should be.” With that, I straightened, tucking my hand back into my pocket. “You’re out of your depth, little lawyer. I’d tread carefully if I were you.”
“Is that a threat?”
I fished out a cigarette from the pack in my pocket, set it between my lips, and sparked it. “Why threaten you when I can snuff out your life in a single breath?”
Silence.
She didn’t speak another word, didn’t break eye contact either. She just glared at me like she’d jab a knife in my neck without hesitation if she had the chance. The woman refused to shrink—refused to show any sign of fear or intimidation.
And I was intrigued by her audacity.
She was braver than some of the men I knew; they wouldn’t even last this long without peeing their pants. Yet, there she was, looking right at me as if daring me to do my worst.
I studied her, searching for calculation or manipulation, but all I found was defiance and conviction. Her file listed her age as twenty-four, far too young for this level of dedication to the job.
As brave as she was, she was also inexperienced in understanding the danger she’d walked into. Or perhaps she did, but simply decided not to yield.
She was one of the few good ones, those who deluded themselves into thinking they were incorruptible.
“You might think you’re invisible right now,” she said, her voice low and even. “But sooner or later, the law will decide your fate.”
My lips curled into a crooked smirk. “Maybe. Maybe not.” I exhaled a puff of smoke. “Until then, you should be more concerned with yourself. Right now, I’m the one who decides your fate.”
She swallowed hard.
And that’s when I saw it: the glimpse of terror flashing in her eyes.
Good.
Very good.
I straightened my spine, reveling in her fear, no matter how fleeting it was. At least I knew she wasn’t as rigid as I’d thought. Yet her calm and sharp wits, even in the face of danger, still fascinated me.
Without another word, I walked to the door and turned off the lights. The room plunged into utter darkness, but she didn’t make a sound. Not a single one.
A quiet scoff escaped my lips, amused by her composure. I grabbed the door handle, yanked it open, and headed out, shutting the door behind me. I lingered for a moment outside, waiting for her reaction.
None came.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
It was as though she was comfortable in the dark. Never had I encountered a prisoner with her kind of fiery spirit—male or female. And that alone pulled me in like a moth to a fuckin’ flame.
The plan was to interrogate her for at least an hour. However, I had to cut it short because I kept getting distracted by her. I couldn’t tell what it was, but there was something about this woman that drew me in. Something magnetic. Electric.
Even after I had left the room, she still occupied my mind in ways she shouldn’t. My thoughts kept drifting back to her: her defiance, her fiery eyes, and the way she held my gaze without fear.
As I walked away, I clenched my fingers into fists, angered by how much space she’d managed to take up in my head.
How the hell did she do that anyway?