Chapter 104 A Twisted Alliance

The world dissolved into a muffled roar as the stranger's calloused hand clamped across Jane's mouth. Panic surged through her veins, a cold dread constricting her throat. Her scream died in a muffled whimper, lost in the cacophony of the tavern. Through a haze of terror, she saw a flicker of amusement in the stranger's dark eyes. It was a cruel amusement, laced with a hint of something else – was it pity? Was it... dare she hope... understanding? He held her gaze for a long, agonizing moment before slowly removing his hand. The room's noise flooded back, the drunken revelry a harsh counterpoint to the frantic hammering of Jane's heart. "Don't worry, pretty lady," the stranger said, his voice a low rumble close to her ear. "I have no intention of handing you over to Black Bart." Jane's breath hitched. Was this a lie? A cruel game? She searched his face, but the shadows played tricks on her. All she could see was a tangle of dark hair, a strong jawline, and eyes that held a depth sh