Jillian exchanged a glance with Dante and Leo. They had Phantom right where they wanted him, but Victor's sudden appearance complicated everything.
Dante's hand hovered over his weapon, tense and ready. "This could be a trap," he muttered.
Leo kept his eyes on Victor, scanning for any hidden threats. "Or an opportunity," he countered. "If he's here to strike a deal, it means he needs Phantom just as much as we do."
Jillian took a deep breath. They had come too far to let Phantom slip away, but if Victor had information, it might be worth hearing him out.
She took a step forward. "Alright, Victor," she said coolly. "You have one chance. Talk."
Would Victor reveal his true intentions? Or was this just another game of deception?
Victor smirked, stepping closer with his hands casually in his pockets. His eyes flickered to Phantom, then back to Jillian.
"You've got something I want," he said, his voice calm but laced with danger. "And I'm willing to negotiate."
Dante tensed, his grip tightening on Phantom's collar. "Negotiate?" he scoffed. "Since when do you bargain, Holloway?"
Victor ignored him and kept his gaze locked on Jillian. "You sent me on a wild chase, little girl. Made me think Camilla was plotting against me. Clever move." He chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "Now, I need something in return."
Jillian kept her expression unreadable. "And what would that be?"
Victor's smirk faded. "Phantom."
Leo cursed under his breath. "No way in hell."
Victor tilted his head. "Think carefully. You have him, yes, but for how long? Do you even know what he knows? Or are you just hoping he talks before someone else gets to him first?"
Jillian hesitated. They had caught Phantom, but interrogating him would take time. Time they might not have.
Victor took a slow step forward. "Hand him over, and I'll give you something better. A name. The one pulling the strings behind all of this."
Silence hung between them, heavy and charged.
Dante's grip on Phantom tightened. "This guy is a snake," he whispered. "We can't trust him."
Jillian's mind raced. If Victor was telling the truth, this was their chance to get ahead. But if he was lying, handing Phantom over could be a fatal mistake.
The choice was hers.
Jillian exhaled slowly, her mind racing through every possible outcome. Victor was dangerous, but he wasn't stupid. If he was offering a name, then he must have something to gain. The question was—what?
She turned to Dante and Leo, eyes sharp. "We need a moment."
Victor chuckled, stepping back with a mock bow. "Take your time, but don't keep me waiting too long. I don't like wasting my patience."
Dante pulled Jillian aside, his grip firm on Phantom. "You're not actually considering this, are you?"
Leo folded his arms, eyes darting between them. "Victor's playing us. He never gives anything without a catch."
"I know," Jillian admitted, lowering her voice. "But if he really has a name, we need it. We don't have any leads on the person pulling the strings. Phantom might talk, but how long will that take?"
Dante's jaw tightened. "And if Victor's lying? If this is just his way of getting what he wants?"
Jillian turned to Phantom, who had been silent through the exchange. He met her gaze, his face unreadable.
"We have two choices," she said. "We take Phantom and run, or we hear Victor out and see what he offers. Either way, we need to be prepared."
Phantom smirked. "I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but if you think you can just run with me, you don't know who you're dealing with."
Dante yanked him back. "Shut up."
Leo rubbed his temples. "We need a third option."
Jillian's mind worked quickly. If they refused Victor outright, he could turn on them. If they accepted, they'd be walking into a deal with the devil.
Finally, she turned back to Victor. "Fine," she said. "Tell us the name."
Victor's smirk widened. "Not until I have Phantom."
Jillian crossed her arms. "You give us the name first. Then we talk."
Victor's eyes darkened, but he didn't refuse. Instead, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He held it between two fingers, teasingly.
"This name," he said, "will change everything."
Jillian's breath caught as she took the paper. Slowly, she unfolded it, her heart pounding.
One name was written inside.
And it was someone she never expected.
Jillian barely had time to register the name on the document before Phantom moved. In a blur of motion, he snapped the rope binding his wrists—it had never truly been secure. A wicked grin spread across his face as he lunged, catching Dante off guard and slamming him against the wall.
Leo reached for his knife, but Phantom was faster. He twisted, delivering a sharp kick to Leo's wrist, sending the blade clattering to the floor. Jillian stepped back, her mind racing. This wasn't just an escape attempt—Phantom had been waiting for this moment.
From the shadows, Victor smirked, arms crossed as if he had expected this all along.
"Was this your plan, Victor?" Jillian shouted, blocking Phantom's next strike.
Victor chuckled, unfazed. "Plans? No, I just enjoy watching how people react under pressure."
Dante recovered, wiping blood from his lip. "Jillian, we need to move—now!"
But Phantom wasn't done. He turned to Victor, eyes sharp. "You think you can use me?" He scoffed. "You're playing a game you don't understand."
Victor's smirk didn't waver. "Then educate me."
Jillian had seconds to decide—should they stay and fight or take the opportunity to escape while Phantom was distracted? Either way, one thing was clear: no one in this warehouse trusted each other, and the real battle had just begun.
Jillian's heart pounded as Phantom and Victor locked eyes, two predators sizing each other up. This was dangerous—too dangerous. She had no idea what Phantom's real motives were, but one thing was certain: Victor wanted something from him.
Dante shifted beside her, wiping more blood from his mouth. "We can't let them talk," he muttered. "If they strike a deal, we lose control."
Leo nodded, gripping his arm where Phantom had hit him. "Then what? We fight both of them?"
Jillian's mind raced. They needed to act now, but recklessly jumping into a fight could get them all killed.
Then Phantom smirked. "You want information, Victor?" he said, voice casual. "I'll give you some—for a price."
Victor's amusement didn't falter. "I don't pay for words. But if you have something worth listening to, I might reconsider."
Jillian clenched her fists. This was bad. If Phantom started talking, Victor might gain the upper hand. But if they attacked, they risked making enemies out of both men.
Dante caught her eye and gave a barely perceptible nod. He was ready. So was Leo.
Jillian took a slow breath.
"Actually, Phantom," she said, stepping forward, "I think you owe us some answers first."
Phantom turned to her, intrigued. "Oh? And why would I do that?"
Jillian smirked. "Because we know something you don't."
She was bluffing. But it was the only move she had left.