CHAPTER 62: MAKING AN AGREEMENT WITH SATAN

"You don’t have much time, Elena."

Smooth and calculating, the voice slithered through the darkened chamber. I didn't want to hear that

voice ever again.

I tightened my jaw, maintaining a neutral face despite the internal turmoil. Victor smirked with

amusement as he watched me from the other side of the table.

His forearm was covered in a new bandage; he must have been clipped by one of Jeo's shots. I wish it

had caused more harm.

"Tick tock," he thought as he drummed his fingers on the table. "You appear to be overthinking

things. In times like this, that is risky.

I balled my fingers into sts beneath the table. Like a steel trap, the weight of the previous few hours

weighed heavily on me. Jeo, the blood, the betrayal—I swallowed hard. I had to stop thinking about

him. Not while Victor was there in front of me, pretending that my entire world hadn't just been

ripped apart.

I said, "You called this meeting," in a loud voice. "So talk."

Victor shook his head, examining me as if I were a conundrum that needed to be solved. "Elena, I've

always appreciated that about you. Let's get right to business. His elbows were resting on the table as

he leaned forward. "All right. I'll keep things easy."

He moved a sleek black folder in my direction.

"Sign this, and you walk away with your life."

I remained motionless. Failed to even look at the folder. "What is it?"

Exhaling through his nose, Victor did so as if he were speaking to a child. "Proof of loyalty."

I looked him in the eye. "Loyalty to who?"

He grinned more broadly. "To me, of course."

The room's air grew heavier.

"You want me to work for you?" With a hint of disbelief, I questioned.

Victor shrugged. "Work for me. Collaborate with me. It makes no difference how you put it. The

point is that my dear, you don't have many choices.

I tightened my jaw.

He went on nonchalantly, "Jeo’s dead," as though the words didn't cut me like a knife. "Either your

people are dead or dispersed. And his charming little empire?" His fingers icked. "Gone."

I made myself take a breath. "And if I say no?"

Victor grinned. "Then I put a bullet in your head and call it a day."

There was silence in the room.

Not a sound.

I felt suffocated by the weight of the decision.

Joe had battled till the very end. He never gave up or backed down—would he be angry with me for

even thinking about this?

Would he comprehend?

Victor waited and observed me.

I reached for the folder slowly.

Not to sign it.

Merely to open it.

There was only one page of paper inside. Brief. Direct to the point.

It went beyond simply agreeing to work for him.

It was an admission.

An outright acknowledgment of Jeo's traitorous behavior. That there was justification for his death.

That I had voluntarily sided with Victor to "right his wrongs."

I was ill.

"Smart girl," Victor whispered, observing my face.

I shut the folder.

I wasn't a moron.

Victor created traps, not deals. He would own me as soon as I signed this. He would kill me the

instant I resisted.

Unless—

My imagination made up another kind of scheme. A risky one. A careless one.

However, that was my last remaining shot.

I raised my head and met Victor's gaze.

"You’re right," I muttered.

For the tiniest moment, surprise crossed his features before amusement returned. "I certainly am.

But continue.

I tapped the folder. "I’ll sign."

Victor grinned more broadly.

I said, "But," in a rm voice, "I have conditions."

Victor chuckled. "You think you're in a position to negotiate?"

I leaned a little forward. "You want me to support you? Then you'll follow my guidelines."

His laughter persisted, but his eyes had become more piercing. He was paying attention.

"You don’t get to treat me like one of your pawns," I replied. "If I do this, I’m your equal, not your

subordinate."

Victor shook his head and let out a breath. "And here I thought Jeo was the stubborn one."

I was not blinking.

Then he shrugged. "All right. You'll be in control. However, remember, Elena. His voice trailed off to

a whisper as he drew closer.

"I will be watching you."

My spine tingled at the warning.

He believed he had me imprisoned.

He believed that I was now his.

Victor, however, misjudged one thing.

To save my life, I wasn't going to sign that document.

I was destroying him by signing it.

A pen was slid across the table by Victor.

I grabbed it.

The tip was pressed on the paper.

And put my name on it.

The agreement was reached.

However, the conflict was far from ended.