Chapter 1: Introduction
In the dim light of the bare bulb, casting eerie shadows against cracked concrete walls, Gareth shifted in the chair. He couldn't remember how many hours had passed since being thrown into this room, but his arms ached from the strained position of being tied up. He tested the tightness of the ropes around his wrists once again, hoping that maybe—just maybe— they had loosened slightly in one of those hours.
No such luck there.
The door creaked open, and footsteps sounded against the gritty floor.
Gareth jerked his face toward the noise, finally able to make out a silhouetted figure in the doorway. The person stepped into the room, and as their eyes adjusted to the darkness, Gareth could see it was a woman. She had long, wavy brown hair and an air of confidence that seemed almost tangible.
"Who are you?" Gareth's question hung in the air, heavy with tension. The woman didn't respond with words, but merely offered him a mysterious, seductive smile—shaking her head as she closed the door.
With her back against it, she slowly ran her fingers through her hair, casually letting it tumble over her shoulders. Gareth's gaze followed the movement, and he felt a strange warming sensation deep in his core.
"Cat got your tongue?" Her voice was soft and sultry. It was a voice that belonged to a person who knew their power. Gareth tried to clear his throat, but his mouth was dry. He swallowed, trying to get the spit moving again.
He needed to be on guard. "And who is it that I should be so afraid of?"
She chuckled lightly and paced slowly towards him. She wore a fitted black jacket, unbuttoned just enough to reveal a satin top and a faint outline of lace beneath it. Her hips sashayed with each step, snapping the leather straps hanging from her belt. Gareth's heart rate increased as she approached him, her eyes locked on his.
"No need to be afraid." She stood just out of arm's reach, placing one hand on her hip.
Her fingers were long and delicate, and as they slipped under her top, she played with the waistband of her leather pants. Gareth felt his breath hitch at the teasing movement. "Just consider me a friend."
He searched her face and tried to discern any sense of sincerity. There had to be more to this woman than met the eye. "Let me guess, you're here to kill me," he said, half-joking.
"Hardly." Her smirk deepened.