CH.27

The luxurious black town car was utterly silent, the tension so thick and palpable that it felt like a physical force pressing in on them from all sides.

Everyone inside the luxurious vehicle was staring at Jenkins with the same intense, unwavering gaze - as if he were a lamb being sized up for slaughter.

Even Sevene, who had his eyes closed in an almost meditative repose mere moments ago, was now fully awake and alert, his sharp features etched with wariness.

"Do you fear death?” A deep voice belonging to the masked man echoed.

His mere presence was suffocating, overbearing in a way that made the hairs on the back of Jenkins's neck prickle with primal unease.

Those piercing amber eyes seemed to bore straight through him, stripping away every pretense and lie until only his deepest fears and insecurities remained exposed.

Jenkins could feel that hypnotic stare searing into him, seeing straight through to the darkest corners of his soul, and he had to fight the nearly overwhelming urge to squirm beneath its intensity.

Jenkins looked around, trying to gauge who the question was intended. To his left sat Killian with an unnerving smile playing about his thin lips, to his right was Seven who had yet to utter any word and before him sat the masked man.

The lawyer couldn't shake the feeling that these people were simply toying with him, like a cat idly batting at a mouse before delivering the killing blow.

"We all do, dont we?” Jenkins shifted uncomfortably in the plush leather seat with the embroidered word 'Gaard' on the headrest.

He risked a quick glance at the masked figure again before immediately looking away. He could hear his pulse thundering in his ears.

Every instinct, every shred of self-preservation was screaming at him to extract himself from this situation immediately. To get out of the car and put as much distance between himself and these people as humanly possible. But he found himself utterly transfixed, rooted to the spot and imprisoned by that soul-piercing stare.

The mysterious figure concealed behind the mask allowed a low, resonant hum to echo from his lips. His amusement was genuine, almost palpable in the air that was already thick with his lethal pheromones.

These invisible, potent signals had an uncanny ability to render any ordinary person unconscious or, in more severe cases, lifeless. Yet here stood the lawyer, still conscious and showing no signs of succumbing to the effects of his deadly allure.

This unexpected resilience intrigued him, causing him to view the lawyer through a new lens of curiosity. Perhaps there was some truth in Killian's assessment of this man after all.

His thoughts veered towards Killian - always jovial, yet possessing an uncanny knack for reading people accurately despite his talkative nature. It seemed like he might have been right this yet again; this lawyer wasn't just another pawn on the chessboard but a player worth watching closely.

He shifted his intense, penetrating gaze away from Jenkins, landing it on Killian. His eyes silently conveyed a message that said, "This had better be worth it." The command that followed was so abrupt and forceful that it made Jenkins nearly leap out of his skin.

"Get down!" The man's voice was like the rumble of distant thunder, echoing with an intensity that was both startling and terrifying. It bore no resemblance to any sound he'd heard before.

Not that the man’s ton was ever gentle during the few words he spoke; however, this time there was a distinct edge to his voice. It resonated with impatience and seemed to teeter on the brink of tolerance.

"Follow me," Killian instructed, swinging his legs out of the vehicle in one fluid motion before making his way back towards their original mode of transport. His movements were swift yet precise, reflecting years of training and experience in handling such situations.

"We have much to discuss, Mr. Jenkins. Regarding your client, Serena Bolting..." Killian's smooth baritone cut through the momentairly silence. "As well as those who wish to do her harm."

Jenkins swallowed hard, his throat feeling painfully constricted. He opened his mouth, fully intending to demand answers, but the Killian held up a single gloved hand in a silent command for silence.

Jenkins's words died on his lips as those unnerving grey eyes bored into him with renewed intensity.

"Who...who are the people after Serena?" The question came out as little more than a hoarse whisper, Jenkins's voice strained with barely-contained dread.

Killian's smile widened a fraction, the expression somehow more unsettling than a sneer.

A shiver ran down Jenkins's spine as he watched the other man's eyes glitter with something like malicious glee.

"Wrong question, Counselor," Killian purred, his tone carrying a subtle edge of mocking condescension. "You should be asking who exactly we are, other than what you think you know about us." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in like a lead weight. "Anyway, I am in a generous mood...so I will answer your unasked question."

Leaning back against the buttery soft leather, Killian interlaced his fingers in front of him, the very picture of smug arrogance and confidence. "We are someone with the power to ensure your client receives the justice she deserves. If you're willing to listen."

Jenkins felt his heart hammering against his ribcage, the rapid staccato beat pounding in his ears. This was a trap - he should leave right now before this situation spiraled completely out of control.

Every rational part of his mind was urging him to run, to get as far away from these dangerous individuals as possible. But some desperate, reckless part of him simply needed to know more. Needed to ensure Serena's innocence at any cost, even if it meant making a deal with the devil himself.

"I'm listening," he heard himself say, the words feeling like shards of broken glass on his tongue, leaving a bitter, coppery taste in his mouth.

Killian gave a slight nod of satisfaction, his smile taking on a distinctly predatory edge that made Jenkins's stomach twist queasily.

"Excellent!" The other man purred. "Then allow me to explain exactly what I have in mind for you and your client, Mr. Jenkins..."