The house was quieter than usual that morning, as if the tension from the night before had seeped into the walls. Rose stayed locked in her room, Elise was unusually distant, and I couldn't shake the weight of my conversation with Leo. For the first time, I realized just how fragile the balance of our lives had become.
Later that day, I decided to take matters into my own hands. If the Meridian Syndicate was as dangerous as Leo claimed, waiting around wasn't an option. I needed to know exactly what we were up against—and what it would take to get Rose out of their grip.
I returned to Eclipse, this time with a clearer objective. Leo wasn't thrilled to see me again.
"You're persistent," he said, leaning against the bar as I approached. "But persistence can get you killed in this business."
"I need to meet someone from the syndicate," I said bluntly.
Leo raised an eyebrow. "You're out of your mind."
"Maybe," I admitted. "But Rose needs help, and I'm not leaving until I talk to someone who can make that happen."
He sighed, rubbing his temples as if he regretted getting involved with me. "You don't just 'talk' to the syndicate. They don't do charity work, and they definitely don't take kindly to outsiders poking around."
"I'm not asking for a favor," I said. "I'm offering something in return."
Leo's expression turned cautious. "And what exactly are you offering?"
"Whatever it takes," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Just set up the meeting."
For a long moment, Leo studied me, weighing his options. Finally, he muttered a curse under his breath. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
That night, Leo arranged for me to meet one of the syndicate's lower-ranking enforcers. The meeting was set in a dimly lit warehouse on the outskirts of town—exactly the kind of place you'd expect for shady dealings. As I stepped inside, the sound of my footsteps echoed ominously.
A man stepped out from the shadows, his presence as intimidating as the rumors had suggested. Dressed in a sharp suit, with cold, calculating eyes, he exuded power.
"You must be the idiot Leo mentioned," the man said, his voice smooth yet threatening. "What do you want?"
"I want Rose's debt cleared," I said, cutting straight to the point.
The man chuckled darkly. "Do you have any idea how much she owes us?"
"I don't care about the amount," I said. "Tell me what it'll take."
His smile faded, replaced by a look of curiosity. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But boldness without resources is just stupidity. Do you have money? Influence? What can you possibly offer us?"
I hesitated. I hadn't fully thought this through, but I knew backing down wasn't an option. "I can work for you," I said finally. "Whatever you need. Just let her go."
The man's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might laugh again. Instead, he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You're willing to put your life on the line for her? Why?"
"She's family," I said simply.
He studied me for a moment longer, then nodded. "Very well. I'll consider your offer. But let me be clear—this isn't a game. If you fail us, you'll wish you were dead."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the cold, empty warehouse.
When I returned home, my hands were shaking. I hadn't fully processed what I'd just agreed to, but one thing was certain—I was in over my head.
Rose was waiting for me in the living room. Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable. "Where were you?" she asked, her voice low.
"I handled it," I said, sitting down across from her.
Her eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"
"It means I'm not letting you face this alone anymore," I said. "The syndicate agreed to give you a way out. But it's on me now."
For a moment, she just stared at me, her expression a mix of disbelief and anger. "You're insane," she said finally. "You don't know what you've just done."
"Maybe not," I admitted. "But I know one thing—you're worth it."
Rose's façade cracked, and for the first time, I saw the vulnerability she'd been trying so hard to hide. She sank into the chair across from me, burying her face in her hands. "You shouldn't have done this," she whispered. "You don't understand what they're capable of."
"I'll figure it out," I said firmly. "We'll figure it out. But you have to trust me."
She looked up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and fear. "This isn't over, Daniel. They don't just let people go."
"I know," I said. "But we'll deal with that when the time comes."
As the night wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just made a deal with the devil. The shadows hanging over our family had deepened, and the stakes had never been higher. But for the first time, I felt like we had a chance—a slim one, but a chance nonetheless.
I just hoped I could keep my promise to protect Rose without losing myself in the process.