Captain's POV:
In the living room, I tapped my fingers lightly against the tabletop a few times. The sound wasn't loud, but it was enough to freeze the air instantly.
The aura around me now was completely different from when I'd been facing Rosy earlier ruthless, cold, carrying undisguised killing intent. If beside her I was merely a dangerous man, then at this moment I was truly the great demon king sitting in an ancient castle, able to decide another person's life or death with a single sentence.
"What have you found out?"
I lifted my eyes. My dark pupils reflected the cold light, making the temperature in the living room seem to drop several degrees. From afar, I could even sense Rosy curling in on herself slightly on the bed, she was very sensitive to changes in me.
Ronan held the documents in his hands, took a breath, and said,"Captain, those people aren't ordinary thugs. They're professional assassins. As long as you pay enough, they'll take the job. This type follows strict rules about protecting their clients' identities."
He paused, unwillingness written on his face. "I tried breaking into their system, but the defenses were too strong. I couldn't get in and I almost got my computer infected with a virus."
Hiring assassins. Playing big indeed.
I let out a soft laugh. There was no warmth in it at all; instead, it painted my pale face with a faint, bloodthirsty hue.
"So," I said slowly, "my life… is quite valuable."
Ronan shuddered. "You're the one who holds power in the Anderson family, Captain. Of course you're valuable."
I didn't respond.
Hunter, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke, his voice calm but sharp. "Our trip to Ravenholm was kept absolutely confidential. Aside from the people here, no one knew. To arrange assassins in advance… they must have known very early on."
Ronan's eyes widened suddenly. "There's an insider!"
The room fell into silence.
Hunter nodded slightly, as if he'd already considered this, and continued,"Wendy didn't just show up by chance. Someone tipped her off. Someone very closely connected to her."
He paused, his gaze shifting to Ronan. "So tell me… who do you think it is?"
"Logan." The name slipped out of Ronan's mouth before he could stop himself, and his scalp immediately prickled.
I said nothing.
Only my gaze darkened, cold and bloodthirsty, like a beast whose territory had just been touched.
"Captain, I'm just guessing!" Ronan hurried to add, his voice anxious. "Logan may be close to Wendy, but he wouldn't dare betray you. He's not stupid enough for that."
I reached out and grabbed the edge of the table.
Crack.A deep fissure split across the wooden surface.
"Tomorrow," I said, my voice so low it was terrifying, "buy plane tickets. We're going back."
Ronan jolted. "But you're still injured, Captain... maybe..."
I shot him a look.
Just one glance.
Ronan immediately shut his mouth, turned around, opened his laptop, and booked the tickets without daring to say another word.
I leaned back against the cushion, the dull ache from my wound dragging my focus down slightly. Originally, I'd planned to leave immediately tonight, let news of my disappearance spread, then observe from the shadows. Whoever jumped around the most would be the most suspicious.
But Wendy appeared.
She ruined the entire game.
The thought made irritation surge so violently that I wanted to strangle her on the spot.
"Captain," Ronan reported cautiously, "the tickets for tomorrow morning are booked."
"Good."
I stood up and left the living room.
When I stepped into the bedroom, the first thing I saw was Rosy lying on the bed with her phone, fingers sliding rapidly across the screen. She looked relaxed, quiet, almost… a little cheerful.
Compared to the oppressive atmosphere in the living room earlier, this scene felt like a different world.
I stood in the doorway, watching her for a moment longer.
Then, unconsciously, the corner of my lips curved ever so slightly a very faint smile, one only I noticed.
…
Rosy's POV:
I was still lying on the bed playing on my phone when a tall shadow fell over me.
Before I could react, the phone in my hand was snatched away by a hand. The sudden emptiness made me jerk and turn my head, just in time to meet Captain's pitch-black eyes staring straight at me, unblinking.
I shivered instinctively when my hand suddenly held nothing.
"Captain… what are you doing? Why did you take my phone?"
I whipped my head around and saw his deep black gaze lowered to the screen.
He glanced at it once, his voice low, clearly tinged with displeasure."Doctor Rosy, do you know that lying in bed playing on your phone is very bad for your eyes?"
I rolled my eyes and pouted, reacting like a rabbit caught red-handed."I know… I'm just playing a little bit. Really, just a tiny bit."
He gave a soft snort, his hand still firmly holding the phone, with no intention of giving it back.
I crawled up from the bed to sit, my hair a complete mess, one tiny strand even standing proudly straight up.
"Give it back! That game has a time limit, if you're slow, you lose!"
Captain didn't answer.
He lowered his head, his long fingers sliding neatly across the screen a few times and then the sudden sound of victory music rang out in the quiet room.
I froze, eyes widening. "Captain… you're that good? Are you a puzzle-game master or something?"
He still said nothing, simply handing the phone back to me as if it had never mattered to him at all.
Just as I took it, his low voice rang out again, cold and blunt, extinguishing all the joy that had just sparked.
"Tomorrow, nine a.m. flight. Pack your things."
The smile on my face froze instantly.
I'd just barely survived the mountains, hadn't even caught my breath yet, and now I had to fly again?
This man… did he even consider himself human?
I snorted lightly, hugging my fatigue and dissatisfaction as I turned away to pack.
—
The next morning, I was once again seated in a first-class cabin, my back resting against the soft seat, yet my mind unable to relax at all. According to the original plan, we were supposed to return in ten days, but now we were rushing back after only five or six. Ravenholm no longer held anything worth remembering for me, except cold mud, the faint smell of blood, and relentless pouring rain.
The plane pierced through the clouds, soft light streaming in through the window. I watched the white clouds drift lazily, took a deep breath, and only then did my heart gradually calm down, as if all the danger had been left behind.
I didn't know why, but I turned to look at Captain.
"Captain…" I hesitated, then asked anyway, my voice lowering. "What about the image ambassador matter… how did it go?"
He didn't answer immediately. There was a brief pause very light but I could still feel the air around him sink slightly.
"The negotiations failed," he said.
I froze for a second, then nodded lightly.
So that was it.
I didn't ask any more. I just turned to look out the window, suddenly feeling deflated. I had a feeling he didn't want to continue the topic either.
Yet I could still sense it, his gaze occasionally sweeping over me, deep and unreadable.
—
More than ten hours later, we returned to the villa.
When I saw the familiar gates, my heart trembled slightly. I'd really thought… I wouldn't make it back. Even if there was a great demon king in this house, it was still better than dying in some remote mountains.
The German Shepherd rushed over. I bent down and hugged it tightly, burying my face in its warm fur.
It was so good… to be home.
Nanny Lenka had prepared a table full of food, the aroma filling the spacious dining room. On the table were familiar Western dishes made in a homestyle way: hot cream of mushroom soup, golden toasted bread, green salad with olive oil, pan-seared salmon, herb-roasted chicken breast, smooth mashed potatoes, and beside them, a light stewed soup prepared especially for someone recovering from an injury. Warm yellow light bathed the room, making it feel unexpectedly cozy.
I couldn't help smiling at the sight of the table.
"Nanny Lenka, you made so many dishes?"
"I was worried you'd just come back from a long trip, and with someone injured, you wouldn't eat enough and get tired," she replied kindly, still deftly setting down extra spoons and napkins.
I pulled out a chair for Captain to sit, then very naturally pushed the lighter dishes toward him cream of mushroom soup, salad, steamed fish, and mashed potatoes, my movements so decisive he had no chance to object.
"Captain, start with these. Leave the roasted and heavy sauces for later. Your wound can't handle them yet."
He lowered his gaze to the food in front of him, his brows knitting slightly.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm a doctor." I pointed at him, then at myself, speaking very seriously. "When it comes to diet, you have to listen to me."
He gave a soft snort, the corner of his lips lifting faintly. "You're really bold."
I pretended not to hear and continued stubbornly, my voice dropping. "We've already lived through life and death together… could you treat me a little better? Don't threaten me all the time."
"I don't treat you well?" He raised an eyebrow, looking straight at me.
I choked, my heart skipping a beat, but I still couldn't help murmuring,"You once choked me… and forced me…"
"Forced you?"
He lightly licked the corner of his lips, his gaze dark and dangerous, as if one more word from me would drag me straight into a bottomless abyss.
My face burned hot, my throat went dry, and for a moment I couldn't say anything at all. The air around the table suddenly felt different tense, yet vaguely ambiguous.
Finally, he spoke. His voice was low and hoarse, carrying something that made my heart race.
"Fine. I'll treat you very well."
I stared at him, my heart feeling like it had been gently squeezed.
"…Really?"
My voice grew soft, half-doubtful, half unable to hide the quiet joy spreading through my chest.