The tension in the hallway was so thick it felt difficult to breathe. Archer stood like a dark storm given human form, his voice a low, contemptuous growl.
"Boy," he said, the word dripping with cold amusement. "Out of respect for your father, I haven't put a bullet through your skull. Take your hands off her. And get out."
Leo's jaw tightened, his fingers interlacing more firmly with Nora's. "No. Not without her."
Archer's eyes darkened into something truly dangerous. His fists clenched at his sides. "Do you have any idea who you're speaking to?"
"Leo, listen to him!" Nora urged, her voice tight with alarm. "Just go. It's not safe here."
Leo turned to her, his gaze blazing with an intensity that stole her breath. "I won't leave you alone with him."
A muscle feathered in Archer's jaw. His next words came out through gritted teeth, low and lethal. "Fine. You want to stay? Good. You can watch. See what it looks like when she belongs to me. I'll make sure you forget what hope feels like."
Leo blinked, startled by the offer, then drew himself up to his full height, his youthful defiance bright in the dim hall. "Good. I'll be here when she chooses me."
A humorless smile touched Archer's lips. His eyes locked on Nora—possessive, final. "Our bet stands. The gym. Don't be late." He left without another word.
Nora exhaled in frustration. "Do you ever think?"
Leo grinned, bright and fearless. "I'm not scared of him."
The gym was vast, lined with polished equipment. In its center, a large mat was laid out for combat.
Nora, now changed into an athletic top and shorts, stretched her limbs, her focus absolute. Across from her, Archer performed his own warm-up rituals, his movements efficient and powerful.
His eyes, however, kept flicking with icy distaste to where Leo had perched himself on a weight bench, watching Nora with rapt, anxious admiration.
The first round began. They circled each other. Nora struck first—her movements a blur of disciplined grace. A sharp side kick aimed for his ribs. Archer blocked it with his forearm, the impact letting out a solid, meaty thud.
He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of genuine surprise—and respect—in his gaze. "Impressive!"
A confident smirk touched her lips. "You're not the first to underestimate me."
"Nora! You can take him!" Leo cheered from the sidelines.
Archer's cold glance toward the boy was brief but potent enough to silence him.
Nora pressed her advantage, launching a combination of jabs and a low sweep. Archer defended, blocking and evading, but his eyes were studying her, learning her rhythm.
"Your form is exceptional," he admitted, and there was a trace of pride in his voice.
"National champion," she shot back, her grin widening as she spun into a high, powerful roundhouse kick aimed at his head.
But Archer moved faster than she anticipated. He dropped and surged forward inside her arc, one arm deflecting her leg while the other locked around her waist. Using her own momentum, he lifted her clean off her feet and slammed her onto the mat, his body following down to pin her firmly.
His breathing was slightly ragged. "First round. Mine, officer."
She struggled against his weight, furious. "You—!"
He bent his head, his lips close to her ear. His voice was a low, intimate murmur, yet perfectly calculated to carry to their audience of one.
"And now I'll claim my prize. Give me a kiss."