Deal with the Devil"

A chilling silence settled between them, stretching through the burning remnants of the estate. The flames cast eerie shadows on Victor's face, accentuating the cruel amusement in his eyes. Alina's breath came in sharp, uneven gasps. "A deal?" Damon stood rigid in front of her, shielding her from Victor's gaze. His entire body was taut, coiled with barely restrained fury. The gun in his grip remained steady, but she could see the tension in his fingers—"as if he was calculating how many shots he could fire before Victor made his move." Victor smirked, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his designer coat. He was completely at ease, as if the gunfire and destruction around them were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. 'I'll admit, Damon," Victor said, tilting his head, 'I expected better from you." Damon's voice was a low growl. 'You've overplayed your hand." Victor chuckled. 'Have I? Because from where I stand, you're the one at a disadvantage." His eyes flicked to Alina, and her stomach "twisted." 'I can kill you where you stand," Damon said, his voice ice-cold. Victor's smirk widened. 'Then why haven't you?" Damon didn't answer. And Alina "realized why." Victor hadn't come alone. From the shadows, "figures emerged." Men clad in black, armed, their weapons trained on Damon. They had been waiting—"lurking in the dark like wolves preparing to strike." Alina's heart "pounded." She had thought Damon was untouchable, invincible. But now—"he was outnumbered." Victor sighed dramatically. 'I'll make this simple." He gestured lazily. 'You give me what I want, and I let you both live." Damon's eyes burned with hatred. 'And what is it you want?" Victor smiled, slow and deliberate. 'You." Alina's "blood ran cold." 'What?" she whispered. Victor turned his gaze on her. 'Damon has been a thorn in my side for too long. His empire, his secrets, his influence—it all needs to go. And the best way to do that?" He smirked. 'Make him mine." Damon's jaw clenched. 'You want me to work for you?" Victor gave a slow, mocking nod. 'Your resources. Your businesses. Your loyalty." He stepped closer. 'Or, of course…" His eyes flickered toward Alina. 'I could take something else." Damon's breath hitched. His grip on the gun tightened. Alina "froze." Victor wouldn't kill her—not immediately. He was the type to play with his food before he devoured it. And if Damon refused, she had no doubt Victor would take her—"drag her into the depths of his world just to punish Damon." Her skin went ice-cold at the thought. Damon took a step forward. 'You won't touch her." Victor arched a brow. 'Won't I?" Damon's entire body "radiated lethal intent." 'If you lay a finger on her, I will burn your entire world to the ground." Victor "laughed." 'Such fire, Damon. But you don't have the luxury of threats." He lifted a hand, and the armed men "cocked their weapons." Alina's breath hitched. "Damon was trapped." He could fight—but they would kill him. He could run—but they would take her. Or… He could surrender. Alina's chest ached at the realization. Victor's lips curved into something smug. 'So what will it be, old friend?" Damon didn't speak. His shoulders were rigid, his fingers curled into fists at his sides. The weight of the decision hung thick in the air. Alina suddenly "understood." If Damon agreed, he would be trapped under Victor's thumb forever. And if he refused—"she would be the one to pay the price." "No." She wouldn't let him do this. Alina "stepped forward." Damon "grabbed her wrist." 'Alina—" She ignored him, her heart hammering against her ribs. 'Victor." Victor arched a brow. 'Yes, little dove?" She swallowed. 'If I go with you… will you leave him alone?" Damon "stiffened." Victor's lips twitched. 'Interesting proposal." Damon's grip on her tightened. 'No." His voice was sharp, edged with desperation. 'You're not doing this." Alina forced herself to meet Victor's gaze. 'Would that be enough?" Victor tilted his head, considering her. 'Enough? No." He smirked. 'But it would amuse me." Damon "snapped." He "moved" before Alina could react, raising his gun—"but he wasn't fast enough." The crack of a gunshot rang through the night. Damon "staggered." Alina's heart "stopped." Blood bloomed across his side, dark and crimson. 'No!" she screamed, lunging toward him—"but Victor's men seized her." Damon hit his knees, clutching his side, his face contorted in pain. Victor "sighed." 'Tsk. You always did have a temper." Alina "fought" against the arms restraining her. 'Let me go!" Victor grinned. 'Not yet, little dove. Not yet." He leaned down toward Damon, voice dripping with amusement. 'Change of plans." He smirked. 'You're mine now." Damon's breathing was labored, but his glare burned with hatred. Victor straightened, flicking his wrist. 'Take them." And just like that—"everything faded to black."