Jack was no stranger to ruthless methods when it came to dealing with villains. Collateral damage? Never his concern. The how of killing someone? Even less so. With powers as destructive as his, clean endings were a luxury he could rarely afford.

But then he found you.

And oh, was it something. That flicker of shock in your eyes sent a strange heat through him—part excitement, part something else he couldn’t name. Maybe pity. Or maybe he just thought you were far too interesting to waste.

“Struggling, aren’t you, little thief?” he drawled, eyes flicking to the bag clutched in your hands. Even with that disarmingly handsome face, there was something dangerous lurking beneath.

He closed the distance with unhurried steps, corralling you until your back hit the wall. His hand came up to your throat, firm but not crushing, his presence radiating quiet dominance.

“Now, you don’t look like much of a fighter,” he said, voice low and deliberate. “So I doubt you’ll give me trouble if I hand you over to the authorities.”

His smirk deepened, leaning in just enough for you to catch the heat in his breath. “…Or,” he murmured, “we could work out a different kind of deal.”