Their demand were simple, yet ruthless. Hand over the house her late parents had built. It was a symbol of their love and strength, a symbol of their ending bond that has weathered countless storms. But Qira was made of the stubborn clay as her late parents.
Their home was more than just bricks and mortar. It was as a safe and peaceful place were she could find hope and inspiration and could dream a better future. A fortress of hidden secret. And she would defend it with her life.
Don Marion leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a predatory hunger. "You misunderstand miss Qira kapla. It's not a request. This is a business transaction one cannot afford to decline ".
Her defiance hardened. " I would rather die than to hand over the keys to my late parents house".
A low chuckle escape the Don's lips. "A bold statement miss Qira. Very well let's see about that". he snapped his fingers and the heavy wooden door groaned as it slowly opened, and a dark hallway appeared. Two burly men, their faces were hard and determined, showing no mercy. entered dragging a figure behind them.
Qira's breath caught in her throat as she recognized a man. It was her brother, Anslo, his face pale and bruised. A sob escape her lips.
"Anslo" she cried out. "Now Qira, perhaps you"ll reconsider my offer. After all I can be very persuasive" Marion said
Qira felt her world crumbling around her. Her beloved brother a hostage in the hands of a monster.
Don Marion, the hulking shadow had grown impatient his voice like a sandpaper on steel grated through the room "Miss this is your last chance, the house or your brother" he said again pointing a gun at Anslo.
Anslo's face engraved with a mixture of fear and defiance. He was younger but his eyes held a depth that belied his age, he was her only remaining family, the last thread connecting her to a life before darkness.
Marion's offer was a cruel and unfair demand that left her feeling trapped and helpless. It was a manipulative plait designed to exploit her fear and desperation, and it was clear Marion Marion as willing to do anything to get what he wanted. The house or Anslo?. A choice that should have been impossible, a moral equation with no right answer. But the weight of the decision was crushing. The house a symbol, a place of dreams, Anslo was life, hope and the future.
She remembered her parents, their laughter echoing through the house. They had built with their own hands but they were gone, victims of Marion's ruthless ambition.
Anslo the gentle soul she'd always protected was now his pawn. The thought of harm coming to him was a dagger twisting in her heart but surrender was not an option. She had seen firsthand the cruelty these men were capable of. They were vultures, preying on the weak she would not be their meal.
Her gaze locked with her brother's, in his eyes she saw fear, but also. Flicker of pride, he knew her strength and trusted her. A cold realization washed over her she had to give up the house. It was the only way to save her brother.
But then, a thought struck her, a desperate gamble. She looked up her eyes locking with the Don's .
"I have another offer ", she said her voice barely a whisper.
The Don raised an eyebrow, intrigued. " oh"
Qira swallowed hard, " I will give you what you want. But not the house or Anslo.
I will give you my… myself " Qira stammered
A stunned silence fall over the room. Marion's eyes narrowed considering her proposal. Anslo's eyes widened in horror, while the guards exchange amused glances.
"You're offering yourself?" The Don finally asked. A hint of amusement in his voice, like he was finding something funny.
Qira nodded, her voice trembling. " in exchange for my brother's life and the house. I will be yours".
Marion leaned back "now this is interesting". His gaze fixed on Qira, her offer was as unexpected as it was audacious a hint of amusement danced in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a cold judging look that made her feel scared.
"You're offering yourself" he stated more as a confirmation than a question.
Qira nodded, Marion steepled his fingers, his mind racing, he had seen many women desperate and willing but none had offered themselves so freely, so completely. It was a gamble, a dangerous proposition.
"why should I consider this?" He asked, his voice low and dangerous.
She meet his gaze, her eyes filled with a determination that surprised even her. "because I am not just a woman, I am a survivor. I have face adversity, Loss and heartbreak. I have learned to adapt, to endure. I can be an asset to you, not just a plaything ".
Don raised an eyebrow. "An asset, you say? How can a woman be an asset to a man like me?"
She took a deep breath. "I can be your confidante, your advisor, I can help you see things from a different perspective. And I can be a loyal companion"
His eyes radiating with interest. "Loyal, you say? That's a bold claim, Miss"
Qira 's voice was steady, "I can be as loyal as you need me to be"
A long silence stretched between them. Don was considering her words weighing her offer. A bitter smile crept across his face. He was used to women fawning over him, throwing themselves at his feet.
But they were always after one thing, his power. They cared nothing for the man behind the facade, they were only using him for their own benefits.
"So tell me why would I choose you over the countless others who would gladly trade their soul for a night in my arm?.
Silence enveloped the room for some minutes and he cut in "very well miss". he said his voice low and and dangerous "we have a deal".