Chapter 560

At the center of the room stood Brixton, with a lifeless body sprawled at his feet.

Smoke curled lazily from the muzzle of Brixton's gun, the metallic tang of gunpowder still clinging to the air.His expression remained flat, as though he'd simply crushed a bothersome insect.

No matter how many times Hannah saw Brixton take a life, she found herself unable to grow numb to the carnage.

At her sudden appearance, Brixton arched a brow and, unusually, offered a dry explanation. "He asked for death, and I simply granted his wish."

Forcing down a lump in her throat, Hannah steadied her features into a blank mask. More pressing matters at hand demanded her focus. Fighting to ignore the sharp bite of blood in the air, she let her words tumble out fast. "Could I go with Kayce to restock the supplies?"

Brixton calmly polished his weapon, not even glancing up."No."

"I swear | won't run-just trust me!" Hannah blurted, her voice tight with urgency. She lunged forward and grabbed Brixton's gun-wielding wrist.

She deliberately/ displayed panic and guilt as she rushed out the words. "I gave seafood to a kid by mistake -he's gone into a severe allergic reaction! There's no medicine on board, and if I don't do something, he might not make it... I can't just stand by and watch him die. Please, let me go get medicine."

Her breath hitched before she quickly offered a bargain. "Send Scorpio to watch over me if that puts your mind at ease! And-don't you love beef? I'll cook it for you every day once I'm back from the grocery shopping. Or tell me what you want-I'll make it. Anything."

Brixton's gaze shifted from her anxious face to the hand holding his wrist. Her touch was light, almost hesitant, yet it warmed his skin in a way that made him pause.

Hannah misinterpreted his reaction as displeasure and quickly let go of his wrist. To her surprise, Brixton let out a low chuckle, his dark gaze locking with hers. "This is the first time you've ever begged me. Tell me, is one small life really worth that much to you?"

"It means everything to me," Hannah declared without wavering.

A faint smile played on Brixton's lips as he stepped closer, his shadow falling over her. "And if one day, it's me lying on death's door, would you panic for me the same way?"

"Yes, I would," she answered without a beat of hesitation.

That seemed to please him, softening the edge of his expression. His mouth curved into a soft, dangerous smile. "Alright, go with Kayce then."

The next second, his expression cooled, voice dropping to a warning edge. "And don't entertain any thoughts you shouldn't while you're out there."

"You can trust me on this." Hannah tried to suppress the wild beating of her heart, ensuring her expression appeared sincere.

His tone lightened again, almost playful. "And when you get back, I expect that beef dish you promised."

Hannah finally broke into a genuine smile, her eyes sparkling. "Okay, wait for me!"

The brightness of her smile caught Brixton off guard, and he turned his head, as if it were too much to take in.Somehow, the words′′wait for me" kept replaying in his thoughts, gentle yet comforting.

Not long after she left, Scorpio stepped out of the shadows, brows knit. "Mr. Ward, are you really letting her leave like that?"

Brixton rubbed the spot where Hannah's hand had been, his voice flat. "Kayce's with her, isn't he? When he decides to be, he's far more ruthless than you. No matter how desperate she is to run, Kayce won't let her get far."

Scorpio pictured Kayce's brutal efficiency and gave a slow nod. "Fair point."

Meanwhile, after securing Brixton's consent, Hannah wasted no time tracking Kayce down. Kayce's brows rose at her news, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Didn't think you'd actually get Brixton to agree. Guess you really have a way with words."

Hannah dismissed the remark with a shake of her head, urgently asking, "When do we leave?"

"Now." Kayce didn't waste another second-he barked an order to a trusted sailor, and the three of them made for the speedboat hanging at the ship's edge.

Hannah fought to keep her pulse steady, her steps quick as she followed close behind.

They were on the verge of boarding the speedboat when, almost at the same moment, Vincent and his men boarded the Odin again.

The two groups passed within moments of each other-close enough that it felt like fate was holding its breath.