Jillian smirked. "Because we know something you don't."
She was bluffing. But it was the only move she had left.
Phantom hesitated for a split second, his piercing gaze narrowing as he studied her. "You're lying," he said, though his tone wavered slightly.
Jillian tilted her head, stepping forward despite Dante's warning glance. "Am I?" she challenged. "If I were, would Victor still be standing here, listening instead of acting?"
Victor's smirk faded slightly. He knew this game well, but he wasn't the only one who could play it. Jillian had seen enough deception to know how to use it herself.
Phantom shifted, his fingers twitching as if deciding whether to attack or retreat. The tension crackled like a live wire between them.
Leo took a slow step to the side, angling himself for an escape route. If this went south, they needed to be ready. But Jillian wasn't done yet.
"Here's the thing," she continued. "You can take your chances and run, or you can hear what we have to say. But if you make the wrong choice…" She let the sentence hang in the air.
Victor folded his arms. "This is getting interesting," he muttered.
Phantom's jaw clenched. "Talk fast."
Jillian took a slow step forward, keeping her eyes locked on Phantom. "You made a mistake the night you tried to take me," she said, her voice calm but sharp. "And now, I know who sent you."
Phantom scoffed, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. He wasn't expecting that. "You're bluffing."
Jillian smirked, tilting her head slightly. "Am I?" She reached into her pocket, pulling out a small flash drive and twirling it between her fingers. "I have proof. Names, transactions, places. Everything."
Victor let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying the tension. "Now this," he said, "is getting good."
Phantom's posture stiffened. He was caught between two threats—Jillian and Victor. If she was telling the truth, then his employer had already betrayed him. If she was lying, he had to find out before Victor took advantage of the situation.
Dante and Leo remained on edge, ready to react the moment things went south. Jillian was playing a dangerous game, but she knew one thing—Phantom was a survivor. And survivors didn't gamble when the odds weren't in their favor.
"Talk fast," Phantom said, his voice lower now, more serious.
Jillian's grip on the flash drive tightened. She had him. Now, she just needed to make her next move count.
Jillian didn't waste a second. She took a step closer, her confidence unwavering despite the tension thickening the air. "You want to know what's on this drive?" she asked, tilting it between her fingers. "It's not just proof of who sent you—it's proof of what they're planning next. And trust me, you won't like it."
Phantom's gaze darkened, but he didn't move. He was calculating, weighing his options. Victor, on the other hand, seemed amused, watching the exchange like it was his personal entertainment.
"And why should I believe you?" Phantom challenged, folding his arms.
Jillian shrugged, tucking the flash drive into her pocket. "You don't have to. But when they come for you—and they will—you'll wish you had listened."
Victor smirked. "She's got a point," he mused. "If your employer is willing to sell you out, what makes you think you're safe?"
Phantom's jaw clenched, but he didn't deny it. Jillian could see the flicker of doubt creeping into his expression.
Dante leaned in slightly, voice low but firm. "You can walk away right now, pretend none of this happened. But if you do, you'll never see it coming when they decide you're a loose end."
A muscle in Phantom's cheek twitched. For the first time, he looked uncertain. Jillian knew she had him in a corner. The only question was—would he fight his way out, or take the deal they were offering?
The alley was silent, the weight of the decision pressing down on everyone. Then, Phantom exhaled sharply.
"What do you want?" he asked, his voice laced with reluctant acceptance.
Jillian allowed herself the smallest smile. She had just turned the tables. Now, it was time to strike a deal.
Jillian's grip on the flash drive tightened as she took a slow breath. She had Phantom's attention, but that didn't mean he wouldn't turn on them the second he saw an opening.
"We want information," she said firmly. "Everything you know about the people who hired you. Names, locations, operations—whatever you've got."
Phantom scoffed, shifting his weight. "You think I just have that lying around?"
Victor chuckled, stepping forward. "Oh, come on, Phantom. We both know a man like you keeps insurance. Something to use when the tables turn. And guess what? The tables have turned."
Jillian glanced at Victor but didn't argue. For now, their goals were aligned.
Phantom studied her, then Dante and Leo. Finally, his gaze landed on Victor. His expression was unreadable, but Jillian could feel the tension in his stance.
"Alright," he finally muttered. "But if I do this, I need something in return."
Dante frowned. "And what exactly do you want?"
Phantom hesitated before lowering his voice. "A way out."
Jillian exchanged a look with Leo and Dante. That wasn't what she had expected.
"You're running," Leo said, narrowing his eyes. "Why?"
Phantom's jaw tightened. "Because if you think I'm the only one in danger, you're wrong. If I turn on them, they'll send someone worse. And I don't plan on sticking around to find out who."
Jillian tapped her fingers against her arm. This changed things. Phantom wasn't just a hired hand—he was a loose thread that someone wanted cut.
Victor seemed amused by the revelation. "Let me guess, you're willing to trade them for a clean escape?"
Phantom's silence was answer enough.
Jillian weighed her options. If Phantom had valuable intel, he could help them bring down whoever was behind all of this. But if he was playing them, he'd be just as dangerous.
Dante crossed his arms. "How do we know you won't disappear the second we get what we need?"
Phantom met Jillian's gaze, his expression unreadable. "You don't," he admitted. "But if you don't take this deal, you'll never get another shot at the people pulling the strings."
The decision hung in the air.
Jillian had led them this far. Now, it was up to her to decide whether they took the risk—or walked away.
Jillian kept her expression unreadable as she locked eyes with Phantom. She had no idea how much he was willing to reveal, but she knew one thing—this moment was a delicate balance of power, and one wrong move could cost them everything.
"You want to make a deal?" she said, voice steady. "Fine. But it has to be worth our time."
Phantom scoffed. "You're the ones who need information. I could just disappear again, and you'd be left chasing ghosts."
Jillian crossed her arms. "True. But if you could really vanish so easily, you wouldn't be standing here talking to me, would you?"
Victor chuckled from the sidelines. "She's got a point," he said, amused. "If you were untouchable, we wouldn't have you here at all. So let's cut the games. What exactly are you offering?"
Phantom's gaze flickered between Jillian and Victor, weighing his options. He shifted slightly, testing his boundaries, but Dante and Leo didn't relax for a second. If he tried to run again, they were ready.
"I know who set everything in motion," Phantom finally said, his voice low. "The kidnapping attempt, the attacks—everything. But I don't work for free."
Jillian smirked. "That's funny, because we don't negotiate blindly."