The Devil's Game: A Deadly Bargain

She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable impact. The seconds ticked by in agonizing silence, but the deafening crash never came. Confused, she cautiously opened her eyes, only to see the car skidding to a stop mere centimeters from where she stood. It must have slowed down at the last moment, sparing her life.

Frustration surged within her. Her plan had failed miserably. She should have waited until the car was closer before stepping into the road. Now, as she stood there, contemplating her next move, the passenger door of the car creaked open. Out stepped a tall man with dark brown hair, meticulously styled to perfection. His chiseled face, set off by a black leather jacket, exuded an aura of confidence. She couldn't help but stare, though she quickly reminded herself that he wasn't nearly as captivating as the ruthless stranger she'd encountered at the bar. His lips curled into a sly smile as he approached her.

"Hey, Miss Suicide... Oops," he grinned, clearly amused by his own joke. But when he noticed the storm brewing in her eyes, his smile faltered slightly. "Mind if I call you that?"

She glared at him, irritation seeping through her words. "What do you want?"

The playful light in his eyes dimmed as he grew serious. "To help you."

Alison's brow furrowed in confusion. "Pardon?" she asked, wondering who this man was and what gave him the audacity to assume she needed his help.

He cleared his throat, his tone now devoid of any trace of humor. "Are you in need of money?"

The question caught her off guard. Who was this stranger, and how did he know about her financial struggles? Had he been watching her? His expression was inscrutable, giving her no clue as to his intentions. Warily, she nodded. "Yes, but why do you care?"

"Because," he paused, a grin creeping back onto his face, "I want to help you."

Alison's patience was wearing thin. "And how exactly would you do that?"

He chuckled, the sound deep and resonant, before scrutinizing her with piercing eyes. Unsettled, she averted her gaze. Without warning, he clapped his hands, and the driver hurried over, handing him a stack of papers. He held them out to her. "Sign this."

She hesitated, staring at the papers, then back at him. "What's this all about?"

"It's a contract," he explained, his voice even. "If you fulfill the requirements, you get the money."

Alison frowned, her skepticism deepening. She had no intention of being duped by another dubious contract. "How do I know this isn't some sick joke?"

His demeanor turned serious once more. "Because it's not," he said firmly.

Her doubts persisted. "How can I trust you?"

He sighed, his patience clearly thinning. "Because, Miss Palmer," he said, emphasizing her last name with a hint of familiarity that sent a shiver down her spine, "it's the only option you have left to save your dear twin's life. Otherwise, you have nothing left to lose."

Alison's eyes widened in shock. How did he know her name? How did he know about Riley, her brother? She was certain they had never met before. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice laced with suspicion.

"That's not important," he dismissed her question with a wave of his hand. "Now, are you in or out?"

She stared at him, weighing her options. If this was a trap, she and Riley were doomed. But if it wasn't… She took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. This might be her only chance to make things right. It was a risk, but one she had to take. "I'll sign it."

His smile broadened in satisfaction as he handed her a pen. She took her time reading through the terms and conditions, though she knew it might not matter if the contract turned out to be fraudulent. She could only hope it wouldn't come to that.

The contract read:

"This is to certify that the submissive…"

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"Being of sound mind and body agrees to the conditions of this contract and hereby submits herself to the dominant, without complaints or rejection, allowing the dominant to do whatever he pleases with her."

Alison's hand trembled as she gripped the pen, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. This was it. She was essentially selling herself to this mysterious man. Could she really go through with this? For Riley's sake, she had to. Summoning her courage, she scrawled her signature across the dotted line. "This is for you, Riley," she whispered to herself.

"Thank you for your cooperation," the man said smoothly, retrieving the signed documents. "Now, let's go."

"We're leaving now?"

"Yes."

"Please," she pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. "Can I at least have a few hours to gather my things and see my brother one last time?"

He paused, considering her request. "You have two hours. After that, a black Lamborghini will be waiting at the hospital to pick you up. Your brother's surgery and any remaining hospital bills will be taken care of. Once he's discharged, his upkeep will be managed, and he'll be given a good job when he's strong enough. He'll also receive funds periodically for his well-being."

Relief washed over Alison like a wave. This was everything she had hoped for. "Thank you," she said sincerely. She hesitated, searching for the right words to frame her next question. "If I may ask, who is the dominant in the contract?"

"I'm not permitted to tell you that," he replied curtly. "You'll find out soon enough."

She nodded slowly, her mind reeling from the day's events. The man in the black leather jacket turned on his heel and returned to the car. Just before the door closed behind him, she caught a glimpse of a smirk playing on his lips. The car roared to life and sped away, leaving her alone once more on the desolate road.