Ochieng's fingers twitched at his side, itching to reach for his knife. Rolex stood a few feet away, his confident smirk never wavering. The air between them was thick with tension, an invisible war playing out in their locked gazes.
"I don't need your help," Ochieng finally said, his voice low and firm.
Rolex chuckled, his expression one of pure amusement. "Oh, Ochieng… You're stubborn, I'll give you that." He took a slow step forward, the streetlight catching the gleam of the platinum watch on his wrist. "But even a lion knows when to team up with another beast to survive."
Ochieng's grip on Celestine tightened as he held her protectively. He had been betrayed too many times to fall into another trap.
"What exactly are you offering?" he asked cautiously.
Rolex tilted his head. "A partnership. Resources. Protection. Power." He gestured at the world around them, his voice smooth like silk. "I have connections that even the wealthiest families in this city fear. You have potential, Ochieng, but you're standing alone against an empire. And let's be honest…" He smirked. "You won't last much longer."
Ochieng knew he wasn't wrong. After everything that had happened—the betrayal, the ambush, the fight with Gideon—he was exhausted, wounded, and outnumbered.
But trusting Rolex?
That was a gamble with the devil.
Celestine's weak fingers clutched his shirt. "Don't…" she whispered, barely able to lift her head. "He's… dangerous."
Ochieng's jaw clenched. He knew that. But he also knew he couldn't protect Celestine alone, not with the storm that was coming.
"What do you get out of this?" Ochieng asked, watching Rolex's expression carefully.
Rolex smiled, as if he had been waiting for that question. "Oh, nothing much. Just a small favor when the time comes."
Ochieng narrowed his eyes. "What kind of favor?"
Rolex chuckled. "Ah, that's the beauty of it. You'll find out… when I need you."
A cold chill ran down Ochieng's spine. This was a trap, he knew it. But he also knew he was running out of options.
He glanced down at Celestine, her face pale from blood loss. If he turned down Rolex's offer, he wasn't sure she would survive the night.
Ochieng exhaled slowly, his mind racing.
He had fought his entire life alone. But maybe… just this once… he needed to play the game differently.
Lifting his gaze to Rolex, he gave a single nod.
"I'll hear you out."
Rolex's smirk widened.
"Smart choice, Ochieng."