𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵
⠀
⠀
✞
I want to want you baby
But you're making it so hard
I try to bite the bullet
And just take you as you are
✞

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ｃｏｎｎｏｒ
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The intense thumping from inside the club prominently vibrated the sidewalk. There was a line outside, to be expected with it being a Saturday night. The android looked to his partner, Hank, who'd snuggled his neck deeper into his coat as his breath crystallized in the chilled air.

"What kind of lunatics would go out when it's this fucking cold?" Hank asked bitterly, shrugging his shoulders up slightly higher to get his coat's collar to cover the bottom of his ears.

"I suppose that we are out when it's this cold." Connor responded in his matter of fact tone accompanied by a small smile, completely unaffected by the temperature and only wearing a thin blue jacket over his black dress-shirt.

"Smart-ass." Hank grumbled as they made their way up the to bouncer who was covered head to toe in winter clothes, handing over their identification. The burly man quickly ran both ID's under an authenticator and handed them back, returning his hands to his pockets as quickly as he could.

The android thanked the man, and headed in with Hank in tow, who was eager to thaw out.

The long hallway was grimy and lit purple and red with a cut out hole in the wall to their left, showing a woman sitting there. "Coat check?" She asked.

Hank took the lead and sluffed off his long jacket to show a dated, striped button up beneath. "Yeah, sure," He grunted, tossing his coat over the ledge to the woman along with a $5 bill. Connor's eyes wandered about before logging the woman's identity.

Dent, Polly
Born: Aug. 4th, 20XX // Club Worker at 'The Trench'
Criminal Record: convicted felon - arson

"And you sir?" She asked, handing Hanks coat ticket as she met Connor's eyes.

"No thank you, Miss." He replied, slightly taken aback by the politeness. His LED wasn't exactly hidden.

She nodded and sat back down, going back to hang Hanks jacket. Hank nudged him, "C'mon, let's go."

They walked farther down the hall, the thumping became more decipherable; EDM. Rounding the corner at the end of the hall, their ankles were gradually plagued more and more by mist the closer they got to the heavy metal door at the end. With a heafty pull on Hanks part, the entrance was clear for a hot cloud of mist to swirl in thick tendrils around their bodies, welcoming them into the loud, stuffy club. Stepping in, Connor was quick to notice the music pulsing within the pump in his chest unpleasantly as each loud thump of bass thundered through the large building.

The lights above dangled down in jellyfish like tethers, giving off a mesmerizing glow despite the thick air obscuring their vision. The dance floor lit up by glowing floor panels as a light show of lasers and flashing lights shot down from the ceiling and the dj booth.

To say it was full was an understatement. Humans were the clear majority of the attendees from what Connor could tell, but there were a few androids with their telltale LED's lighting throughout the club, not a single one of them looked nervous or uncomfortable as they openly mingled with human occupants. He walked farther into the club with Hank, keeping to the sidelines of the dance floor to get to the bar.

"Keep your eyes peeled for AJ." Hank reminded as they sidled up to the partially full bar.

Connor nodded and began to scan the room the best he could despite the screen of mist and cigarette smoke swirling together in a thick, muggy concoction. He could only clearly see about 5 feet around, everything else was obscured by the flashing lights painting the large, cloudy room full of vague shapes resembling people. A troubled expression painted his face as he looked back to his partner. "I'm afraid my scanning capabilities are severely limited here." He called back over the music.

Hank grunted and took a look around. "Well shit." He cursed flippantly turning back to the bar and motioning to the bartender, "I guess we'll just have to cover some ground," the bartender walked up, taking Hanks quick order and poured a honey shaded scotch over ice in exchange for a crumbled bill. "I'll check the VIP area, you keep your eyes on the dance floor. Whoever finds him lets the other know asap."

Connor nodded in understanding. Hank took a long swig of his drink before he turned heel in the direction of the raised level of the VIP section.

The android, now left to his own devices, looked out into the misty dance floor. A minuscule bout of nervousness flooded the pit of his stomach —so to speak— and a part of him wished there was an android alternative to alcohol that could take the edge off. Then again, even if there were he wouldn't take it now... he was on duty.

He shook off the feeling and strode onto the dance floor, awkwardly slipping through all the dancing bodies, getting a couple of stray hands accidentally smacking into his face... among other places. He squinted into the crowd, rapidly scanning every face he could as he zagged about, covering as much area as possible.

A black, curly-haired man who noticed Connor trying to get past him grabbed his hand and quickly lifted it over his head, twirling the android around him as they switched places. The android blinked a few times and stared back at the man who laughed at his quizzical expression.

After a quick scan, Connor deduced the man was intensely drunk. He took in the amusement of the situation before returning to his mission. Locate Arthur-James Cravit.

As Connor reached the end of the turbulent sea that was the dance floor, a disappointment settled on his brows. No sign of the man, only another bar with a few people huddled in groups while drinking and cheering.

He turned back around and eyed the glowing dance floor that was only cut by the laser light show, ready to dive back in. But he hesitated. It wasn't exactly enjoyable trying to navigate through so many people flinging their bodies about. He didn't have a great vantage point in there either.

Maybe a different approach was in order.

He turned and made his way towards this unexplored drinking area and leaned against the bar, scanning about the floor once again before turning and leaning both elbows on the countertop. He scanned the bartender as she walked towards him, "anything I can get you?" She asked.

"No thank you." He replies, looking back toward the misted floor.

That gave her a good look at his LED. "Ah, I see, alright well just holler if you need something." She says, out of politeness he assumes as she walked away.

That was until a young woman stumbled up to the bar to the left of Connor, laughing as she pushed some loose hair out of her eyes.

"Hey!" You called to the bartender, who stopped in her tracks, listening for the order over the music. "Can I get a uh... vesper please?" You asked pulling out a card with a small blue creature he couldn't get a clear view of.

"You got it!" The bartender exclaimed with a matching energy as she quickly went to work.

As the you put the the black card back in your pocket your eyes flit about for a few moments until they landed on Connor, who only then realized he was staring. He pulled his eyes away, compulsively aiming his sight back over his shoulder again.

Your eyes followed his out onto the dance floor then back to him. You leaned towards him a bit so he could hear you better, even though he would have no trouble hearing you either way. "You looking for someone?" You asked.

Connor's eyes fell back to you. "I uh..." He cleared his throat, finding his voice. "No, no I'm not."

A curious smile broke across your face. "Really?" You peer over your shoulder once more for good measure before meeting his eyes again. "Okaaay~" You singsonged and leaned onto the bar, mimicking him. "But if I find out you're looking for your partner I'm gonna be upset."

Connor's eye widened slightly at this. "My partner?" His head twitched slightly towards you, hoping for clarity. "What do you mean my partner?"

Your head fell into your hand while maintaining casual eye contact. "Boyfriend, girlfriend, significant other," you listed, "you know, a partner."

The stalk straight posture became comfortable again. He wasn't supposed to look too conspicuous, and having his cover blown here would not look too great for Arthur-James. "Oh, I see," his mind turned over your words. "Why would me having a significant other make you upset?" He asked curiously.

You raised your eyebrows and chuckled lightly. "Because I wanted to flirt with you with a clear conscious."

One of the newer, less experienced emotions flooded over Connor's body as he stared down at you. Was he flustered? Embarrassed? Flattered? Whatever the case, it was rather jarring. "I see." He managed out as he cleared his throat, composing himself.

You waited patiently as the bartender placed a clear drink before you. It was gladly scooped in hand with a small swirl to the liquor.

"I do not have a significant other." He spoke. Your eyelids fell slightly, satisfied.

Another smaller wave of the same emotion ran through his circuitry, which compelled him to deescalate whatever this air around was. "But unfortunately, I am not familiar with flirting first-hand, so I don't think it will be very successful." He informed, finally lifting his stare from your fingers around the glass's stem up to your eyes.

You hummed warmly and went to take a sip from your drink, pausing as you stared down into the liquid for a thoughtful moment. "Well, I wouldn't say it being 'successful' is the goal. Just a fun way to socialize with a stranger." You said playfully, sipping at your drink before setting it down on the bar. "But I guess I should ask if you'd even be interested in that kind of socialization." Your eyes redirected back to Connor's boldly, a coy smile softening your gaze. "So, would you be interested?"

Connor tilted his head slightly and looked her over.

'Yes.' He thought.

She was undeniably pretty and somewhat intimidating, yet held a gentleness about her. His stare lifted from roaming over her only to meet her sly, watchful eyes.

"I... suppose learning this now will avoid misunderstandings in the future." He reasoned through the pull he felt to you. The feeling had piqued his curiosity just enough.

"Well... I'm glad you're so enthusiastic about it." You noted, playfully rolling your eyes.

After a moment he picked up on your words. That was definitely sarcasm. "I apologize, should I have agreed differently?" He asked.

You shrug and lift your cup to hover by your lips. "Yeah probably," your warm eyes lifted to his through lashes before pointing your chin towards him. "Try it again, but with more... excitement!" You encouraged, grandiose in every syllable.

He nodded, taking the critique as he formulated a new agreement. "Okay, how's this?" He turned his body fully towards you. "I'd very much like to learn from you! I'm positive that you'd be a good teacher."

You hummed with a scrunched face. "That was okay, but I'm not a teacher. I'm first and foremost a very cool and beautiful woman. Remember that." You said ruefully.

"Ah, of course." Connor nodded once and thought a little bit more. He adjusted his body to lean a more comfortably against the bar, yet his posture remained impeccable. "You're very pretty, and I'd find it enjoyable if you'd engage in a flirtatious dialogue with me." He said, barely thinking about the words he was saying outside of appeasing you.

You tilt your head and looked up at the ceiling in thought. "Well now that's fairly good, but I think you might be missing the enthusiasm again, more in how you say it though." The words were light as you take another smiling sip of liquor.

Connor's eyebrows knit together slightly. His head tilted for a moment until a realization fell over him. "You're teasing me." He stated.

You snorted into your glass, barely managing to swallow the liquid in your mouth with a hand hovering over your lips. After a struggling gulp you openly started laughing. "Yes, I am." You nodded with a lighthearted, sunny chuckle. "You're learning quick."

"It's not entirely difficult to catch on when you smile into your cup like that." He said pointing at you just as you were doing exactly what he described.

You gasp lightly and pull the vesper from your lips. "Smile into my cup? You found my tell already?" The grin painting you was vibrant as you nudge his shoulder quickly with a gentle palm. "So attentive."

"Attentive?" He asked. A soft-set smile started to peek through while he let out a small huff of amusement. "It took twenty-five seconds to understand what you were doing. I'd hardly consider that 'attentive'."

You shrugged and leaned farther onto the bar, tilting your head into your palm in such a way that put your neck and collar bone on display. "I'd call that attentive. Most of the time it takes twenty-six seconds, at least."

His eyes dash over the exposed skin for only a moment before landing back on your face, LED spinning yellow.

Finally, he stands straight and offers his hand to you. "My name is Connor."

You place your hand in his before giving a lingering squeeze. It was... surprisingly intimate. "Y/n." You say, grinning brightly at him. "I haven't seen you in here before." You point out as you let go of each other.

"I haven't been here before." He spoke evenly. This simple admission brought him back to his assignment, remembering himself and why he was there in the first place. He took note of the rather large amount of time that had slipped through his fingers, time he was none the wiser to losing. His eyes scanned about his surrounding again as an angry Hank came into his mind. The lieutenant probably wouldn't be impressed if he found out what his partner had been doing while he walked about doing his job.

Your light attitude was pulled back to Earth as you once again looked around to try to find what Connor was clearly searching for. A confused, inquisitive frown creased your face.

"I apologize Y/n, but I have to go." Connor announced, returning his stare to your still searching face.

Your brows lifted as you met his eyes. "Oh!" You stood from leaning on the bar. "Uh, yeah sure."

The air around him became a bit more distant and professional. "Thank you for the conversation." He took a step towards the dance floor, turning half way before hesitating. Thoughts swirled about his head and he looked back to you for a moment as he spoke again. "It was nice." He said sincerely.

A surprised expression gave way to lopsided smile crossing your face, absentmindedly mirroring his sincerity. It was a little bit more genuine then every other look worn up until now. "Yeah, it was cool to meet you Connor."

His LED flickered between blue and yellow as he observed the new expression. He gave a curt nod and turned away fully, braving the crowd once again.

As he waded through the difficult mass of bodies, he noted it somehow got more rowdy than before. He slipped his way through about as successfully as the first time, scanning every person he walked passed. But no Arthur-James.

Just as he was about to update Hank with his lack of progress, he received a message from said man.

'Found AJ. VIP room 12. Get a move on.'

Connor blinked it away and redirected himself up to the raised section, beelining his way with purpose in his step. As he reached the raised VIP section, a large android stood at the top blocking the way. He stared Connor down calmly. "Identification please."

Connor sent what was needed and the android's eyes twitched a fluttered as it downloaded the information. As the download came to a stop, he stared down Connor again. "Who're you here to see?" He asked.

"Arthur-James Cravit." He said evenly.

The man checked over a digital list in his head, Connor's name and serial number was there, and was notably new to it — only recently added within the past five minutes. He hummed and stepped aside. "Room twelve."

Connor thanked him. And made his way down the hall of locked doors, all displaying different numbers above their respective placements imside neon tubes. It was far quieter in the dim hallway, as the impenetrable mist had shifted to nothing but a thin hanging smoke, allowing a much larger field of vision and offered him a good view of the impressive artistry that was the door carvings. The uniqueness of each door sported one distinct type of sea creature, as if themed. The Jellyfish, koi fish, and Octopus were among the more striking depictions.

However, none struck a cord quite as hard as room twelve did. Like the others, it was a black stone door, but this ones carvings depicted three Blue Glaucus swimming about oddly and gracefully, circling a pinpoint.

He pressed his palm to the reader to the right of the stone door and it clicked open heavily, letting sound from inside spill out, Hank's voice was amongst the loud banter and chatter from within. Connor pushed the door open and stepped in, immediately greeted with the stench of cigarettes and spilled alcohol from the softly lit room of reds and blues.

"This must be Connor!" Said a man sat at the far seat of the lounge area. He was at the head of the table with Hank on his right. Arthur-James.

Connor made no move or reaction as he looked to Hank who gestured his head towards the man. He redirected his sight back to AJ, "And you're Arthur-James." He responded.

Cravit, Arthur-James
Born: January 17th, 20XX //  Co-Owner of 'The Trench'
Criminal Record: Schedule 2 Drug Trafficking, Aggravated Assault, Battery

He grinned and waved for Connor to come closer. "Please! My friends call me AJ." The red head happily informed, "Come here, we saved you a seat!" He turned his eyes to the blonde man sitting at the spot to his left and stared at him expectantly for a moment. The unknowing man looked about for less than a second before AJ venomously spoke. "Yes, you! What the hell are you doing? Get out of the way! Go!" He shooed with his arm swinging in a circle. "Get a move on you fuckin idiot," He commanded with a cruel laugh and a shake of his head as he met Connors eyes.

The man scrambled out of the seat, retreating to stand with the body guards that lined the wall. AJ sighed exasperated as he looked at Connor apologetically with a patronizing smile, diminishing any pride the man chased away may have had. "You'll have to forgive him for that embarrassing display. Not all of my workers are exactly competent." He stated through a tighter jaw as Connor took the newly vacant spot.

"That's alright." Connor said, attempting to balm the situation before it got any more out of hand. "I'm only here for the information you have, anything outside of that is not important." He made a quick note that AJ may be experiencing drug induced mood swings based off the the fine white residue smudged on the onyx table before him.

AJ chuckled and slapped his hand on Connors back twice. "Ah the frankness of an android, it is so refreshing!" He cheered, shifting excitedly in his seat a little as he looked to Hank with approval.

"That's his prerogative." Hank conformed with a long swig from his quickly emptying cup. "But Connor's right, we are here for that information, and it's best to get the business portion out of the way so you can enjoy the rest of your night in peace."

A pause floated over the younger man as Hank's words hung stale in the shifting air. "What do you mean by that Hank?" AJ asked, his eyes landing on the lieutenant.

Hank's face scrunched to one side. "Uhh... by what?" He asked.

"'By what' he says." AJ laughed, melting the tension slightly. "By enjoying the rest of my night in peace! Come on, you've gotta know there's nothing peaceful about an AJ celebration!" He cried tossing his ringed hands in the air with a huge grin stretching across his pale face. The surrounding workers sitting at the other spots of the long table all laughed along at Hank's mild confusion. "There are tons of beautiful women out there, android and human alike! There's no room for peace here." the man crooned as a wickedness overcame his expression.

A mildly disgusted expression dusted the lieutenant's face, "uh huh..."

Connor couldn't help feeling disgusted as well, even with the very limited knowledge he had on such emotions. "Even so, the sentiment remains. We will be out of your hair as soon as possible and will let you get back to your evening, as planned." He spoke, backing up Hank's original claim.

The red-head didn't have any kind of rebuttal, and instead chuckled oddly to himself. "Heh, the android back at it again with its reasoning." he said uselessly.

When neither Hank or Connor spoke, AJ cleared his throat. "Right uh..." He waved his hand, "everyone but Manny, Suta, and Fran, get out." All but three bodyguards began to shuffle out of the room, bottle necking at the door. "Today people!" AJ snapped, which was met with an increase in pace.

Finally the door closed, locking with a heavy clunk.

AJ cleared his throat in the sudden silence. "The reason I called you was because I have some information on that pesky drug baron."

"Yeah, we got that far," Hank grunts, sitting forward in his chair while lacing his hands together impatiently. "We're at the part where you tell us what the information is." Hank continued as Connor scanned AJ once again. His heart rate was on the incline and his eyes flit to the door exactly six times within the minute. He readied himself in case AJ made a break for it, making his chances of a clean escape drop from 38% to 14%, but he has no need to run with the sheer size of the bodyguards within the room, especially when two of them were androids. It didn't make sense... maybe he was afraid of someone coming in?

"Ah well..." He took a sip of his drink before continuing. "See, this is sensitive information, and I'd appreciate if it doesn't get out that I was the one who told you."

"Your confidentiality will remain intact." Connor promised.

He was tightlipped as he pat a hand over his straight, shoulder-length hair. "right..." His eyes fled about the room.

Suddenly, the door clunked open, stealing the room's attention. One of the bodyguards who remained went to open it, but it had already been pushed wide enough for the intruder to step inside.

Connor felt an irregular shock of confusion jolt through his thirium as a familiar form meekly slid inside.

"Y/n!" AJ celebrated as she closed the door behind her. "Come, sit," He encouraged, beckoning you closer. "Say hello to our guests."

As you turned there was a charming grin placed on your face. However, once your eyes landed on Connor, it faltered momentarily.

"This is Hank and Connor." The red headed man proclaimed.

A slight pinch between your brows appeared for less than a second before redirecting your gaze to AJ, pushing the smile farther. "Hello," You greeted while looking back to the two men with a polite nod. But your heart rate had noticeably picked up.

Hank grunted, annoyed. "Hi."

Connor's eyes remained trained on you as he uttered a greeting of his own. "Hello," he said with a small tilt of his head.

"Come here." AJ beckoned with his arm out towards you. As you got in arms length he quickly pulled you down next to him and lazily laid one arm around your shoulders, collecting you closer to him. He went to give a kiss on your cheek, to which he received a sharp side eye that stopped him in his tracks. "ah, well uh where was I?" He mused in an attempt at playing off what just occurred. "Yes, the long awaited reveal of the Shadow of Detroit!"

Hanks eyes widen at this. "The reveal?" He asks as his attention becomes singularly trained on AJ. "Are you saying you know the identity of this asshole?"

AJ grinned wickedly as he lifted his chin, "Indeed I am," He leaned forward, unwrapping his arm from Y/n to place on the table in front of him. Connor and Hank found themselves leaning forward as well. "And for this information I want protection for me and this club."

"Protection?" Hank asked, glancing to his partner briefly. "Using the department?"

AJ blinked with the stupid grin still on his face as his eyes travelled between the two cops. "Uh, Yeah," he chuckled, "Isn't that your job? To serve and protect?"

Hank sputtered into a laugh. "Yeah, but have you given a thought to how guilty that's gonna make you look?" He asked.

A long heavy silence hung low and crushing between the men. Finally, Connor stepped in upon observing AJ's confused expression. "Think of it this way. The DPD is suddenly in possession of sensitive information on the Shadow of Detroit. Then, within the same time frame, expend resources in protecting a man and club that's often hosted this drug baron's dealings." Connors LED spun blue as he explains evenly. "Who do you think he will assume gave away this information?"

AJ's confused expression melted, giving way to a profound worry. "What? For real?" He took a quick glance back you who's eyes stayed on your fingers as you picked at them. AJ returned his jumpy sight to the men. "You don't think that could actually happen do you?"

Connor's eyes went to Y/n again, but lingered with true curiosity. Why were you even here right now? He finally ran a scan on you.

Hank grunted and sat forward, resting his elbows on the table. "We'd do our best to keep you protected, but we can't guarantee your safety unless you're put into police custody. We'll play it low, and like you're forced to be there for something else if it somehow gets out we have you. But that's still risky."

L/n, Y/n
Born: XXX, XX 20XX // Owner of 'Hollow Bone Bar', 'Vanish', 'NorthWest Crossing', 'Heaven's Gate', 'Fine Harvest', 'Dusty Buck', 'Round2', 'The Headless Queen', 'Blind Tiger'. Co-Owner of 'The Trench'
Criminal Record: None

Connor's LED spun yellow momentarily and looked back to AJ.

A red herring.

AJ's mind turned, visibly putting everything he'd been told into streams of possibilities. Finally his face set into one of near shock, and a defining anger. "Fuck that then!" He stood to his feet in defiance. "No way I'm doing this!"

Hank grunted to himself expectantly. "No need to get angry about it," The older man sighed, sitting back into his chair. "You weren't the one dragged out here for nothing."

AJ wheeled back on the silent being he'd once welcomed. "I can't believe you tried that, you fucking bitch!"

"Calm down AJ." You say, annoyed.

"Calm down?! You were gonna feed me to the sharks!" He exclaimed, his hands raising and flinging about. "You were gonna leave me to die!" His fists balled as he visibly shook.

Connor momentarily suspected he may try to strike you, readying himself to break up an impromptu scrap.

However, as you stood to your feet AJ took half a step back. Your stare blazed as you met him straight in the eye, unwavering. His anger remained, but the shaking started to overtake him. Your stare softened at him tiredly, as if he wasn't worth any kind of energy expenditure. Or possibly a peace offering was being made between the two.

Your chest expanded with breath and you turned your head towards the android, old man duo. "His name is Hallam McCabe."

Hanks eyes widen as his eyebrows knit together. "Wait, is that—? How— How do you know that?"

"She's the co-owner of this establishment alongside AJ, as well as the sole owner of multiple clubs throughout the city." Connor piped up, meeting Hank's lost expression. "They are logically a good candidate for having underground information."

The older man looked about between the people all around him, an irritated pull in his lips. "Damn, I sure do enjoy being the last to know this kind of stuff on the job." He complained with a pointed glare at the android.

You looked to the three of the bodyguards and tipped your head towards the door. As they followed your instructions out the door you turned to AJ. "We'll talk later." You spoke with an iciness pouring out in arctic waves, flooding the room and ensnaring the fiery man.

He snarled but complied, ramming your shoulder on his way out.

With a finality in the door shifting tightly closed, you turn your eyes upon the cops once again. "I apologize for that."

"Don't worry about it. As long as we actually got the information, as I think we have, I don't believe we have any more reason to stay and bother you." Hank said, leaning forward and gripping his arms rests, ready to depart.

"I'd actually like to speak with you both for a moment." You interjected, causing the muscles in Hank's arms to relax and his shoulders slump. Despite this, he didn't voice his protest.

Connor nodded towards you to continue.

You sat back down in AJ's spot, dusting the bit of table clear of his habits. "This does make things a little more complex for me, now that AJ wasn't the one to tell you."

"Uh huh... because you were going to let him take the fall." Hank pointed out, distaste coating his every syllable.

"Er—" your shoulders square a bit while your eyes flicked away. "Yes, I guess that's the main catalyst for the issues that are gonna come up."

"What kind issues are you expecting?" Connor inquired with an endearing tilt of his head.

You awkwardly met his eyes. "Well, now AJ is pissed, and he could blab about what happened here tonight." You tipped your head to the side heavily. "He won't try to kill me now that I've given out Hallam's name. I'm a dead man walking, he doesn't need to do anything." You took a long deep breath to steady the rapidly beating heart within your ribcage. "He's not the one publicly taking the fall for this getting out, so I'm the obvious snitch."

"Why'd you be the 'obvious snitch?'" Hank pried.

You falter for half a second, it was nearly undetectable as you shrugged slightly. "Well... I own all these clubs that the dealings happen in, so I'd be a safe guess."

Connor shared a subtle glance with Hank, who wasn't buying it either.

"Alright... then how are we doing this?" Hank asked, "do you have more information on this 'Hallam?'"

"Yes," You answer, standing up, "And if you are willing to extend the same offer to me, I'd like to be put into custody."

Hank eyed you suspiciously as he sat back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. Connor on the other hand sat straighter as he closely watched you stand to your full height.

"Really... you?" The Lieutenant probed, "Don't you have a half the cities clubs to run?"

"I can't say that my job is more important than my life." You retort, a small crease pinching between your brows.

The older man rolled his shoulders. "I'm just saying—"

"And I'm saying I'd prefer to remain breathing for the next handful of decades," You cut him off harshly. "I can help you and you'll keep me safe, or I can leave the country. Personally I'd prefer to cut the head off the snake entirely, but if I have to run... I will."

Connor met Hanks eyes for a brief exchange of slight shrugs and tilted heads. A long huff leaves Hank and he flit his attention towards you again. Connor followed suit before standing and extending a hand to you. "Very well, it's a deal."

You place your hand firmly into his. Your skin was pleasantly warm despite the paling fear in your skin tone. Connor tried his best to pull on a comforting smile. "Thank you for your cooperation Miss L/n. We will keep you out of harm while under our protection."

There was a noticeable glint of doubt in your eye within your faltering strength. "I hope you can."

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This is published in honour of reaching 1k followers!!!
You sweetie pies ily

I hope this fic is something you guys are interested in bc it has consumed my every thought 😌✨