The Devil's Bargain: Blood and Betrayal

My car stopped in the woods, I immediately checked his wound and cleaned it as best I could. I pried out the bullet that was visible to stop the bleeding. Luckily, I know a little bit about medicine, so I did what I could.

After a few hours, Alexander started to regain consciousness. He groaned softly, his eyes slowly opening. "Where are we?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"Safe," I whispered, more to myself than to him.

Alexander seemed dazed, holding his injured shoulder, his face pale as death. His eyes, once sharp, were now dull and empty. "This..." he said, his voice broken, like a gasping breath.

I continued, trying to sound calm, "I've removed the bullet and stopped the bleeding. As best I could, at least." I emphasized the 'as best I could' to lower his expectations.

Shock was evident on his face. He looked at me, incredulous. "You... a doctor?" he asked, his voice still weak.

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "No." He paused, his voice rising with annoyance. "Then what right...? To remove the bullet?" he finished, his tone more apparent.

I snorted, unable to bear his arrogant attitude anymore. "Ungrateful," I said, my voice sharp. "At least you're still alive, right?"

"Listen, Alexander…" I tried to start an explanation, but…

"...How do you know my name?!" He cut me off, his voice rising to a shout. He glared at me suspiciously, his hands clenched tight. His defensive and suspicious attitude made me a little annoyed.

I sighed, trying to be patient with this man who was clearly in shock and pain. "I know your name from the person who shot you," I said, carefully choosing my words. "And, even though I'm not a doctor, I saved your life, didn't I?"

He sighed, enduring the lingering pain. He looked at the stitched wound on his shoulder, his eyes blinking slowly. "Did you stitch this up too?" he asked, his tone a little softer, but still wary.

I answered briefly, "Hm."

"Ugly," he said, his voice flat, but his eyes showed a hint of amusement. "Carlos would have laughed at it." He added with a hint of mockery, making me want to punch him.

"Carlos?" I furrowed my brow, keeping the question in my mind. Maybe his brother? His friend? Alexander suddenly snatched my phone from my hand. With trembling fingers, he typed a message.

"Thank you," he said, his voice still weak, but sincere.

"For the phone, or…" I asked, half-jokingly.

"For taking the bullet out, and saving my life," he cut me off, his voice firm. He groaned softly, enduring the pain. "You'd better go. I don't want to involve you in my problems."

I snorted, unable to contain my annoyance. "What a selfish man," I said, my voice a little sarcastic. "I'm already involved, since you saved me."

"We're even," he said coldly, his gaze showing no sign of gratitude. "I have to get back to my place too," he continued after a moment of silence. "And so do you."

"Back? Where?" I asked, confused. Leaving Leo meant losing everything. Even though there was a home to return to.

He looked at me, his deep blue eyes seemed to read my mind. "Don't tell me you're... homeless?" His voice rose again, but his expression wasn't as harsh as before. There was a hint of concern in there.

I shrugged, not wanting to tell him about the misfortune that had befallen me. The story was too embarrassing. If he knew, he would surely mock me even more.

“Wait, I remember something… you were just dumped, weren’t you?” His question pierced me, making my cheeks burn.

“No, I left him.” I replied firmly, trying to hide my nervousness.

“Really?” He looked at me sharply, doubt etched clearly in his eyes. I turned away, annoyed by his suspicion.

“Alright,” he said, his voice softer, but still cautious. “I can offer you shelter and protection. If you want.”

I was stunned. His offer was tempting, but I still had doubts. "With conditions?" I asked, alert.

He smiled faintly, a smile that was both mysterious and slightly threatening. "The condition… you have to be my girl.”

His offer made me gasp. This man was a hothead, a threat, and incredibly suspicious. But it turned out... he was also a lech. I fell silent, thinking hard.

"Just accept it, you don't have any other choices, do you?" His voice was challenging, laced with a hint of mockery.

I snorted. "Of course I have choices. It's just..." My sentence hung in the air, filled with dilemma and doubt.

I need a new place to live if I want to escape Leo and that bitch. But... if I agree, what does it mean? Am I going to let myself be exploited by this bad-tempered man?

“Why are you silent? Don't you want to?” he asked, preparing to get out of the car.

Dilemma. I quickly grabbed the edge of his jacket. "Wait. Come home with me, what's your address?" I hoped to buy some time to think about his offer.

"Too dangerous. Go home separately," Alexander replied.

Before I could answer, several black cars approached us. I thought it was the cars from last night, but Alexander calmed me down. "Don't be afraid, they're here to pick me up."

Alexander got out of my car, the burly men in black suits seemed respectful towards him.They chatted for a moment.

"Get out, Miss. It seems you're the one who needs a ride home." His voice, heavy and cold. The selfish man was back to his grumpy self.

"My car?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Forget about it. I can replace it with a thousand cars like that."

"Arrogant!" I muttered. My annoyance was cut short when the shadows of the burly men, their faces like masks of death, surrounded me.

I quickly took shelter behind Alexander's back, my body shaking violently, like a lamb waiting for the slaughter.

We got into the luxurious car, Alexander asked for my address. As the car sped off, my heart pounded like a war drum, a cold chill piercing my bones.

A few hours later, the car stopped in front of my house. As I got out, my world seemed to collapse.