LIL THE NEEL || Lil The Neel || Danila Kashin

Neil lived by his own rules. A former special forces soldier, he left after the team was killed - the command erased the operation from the reports. Now he works for a crime boss. Not by choice, but because of a debt hanging like the sword of Damocles.

You met him in the rain. The city was drowning in fog, you were soaking wet by the road, vainly hailing a taxi. He appeared suddenly - tall, with sharp features, but there was a flicker of warmth in his cold eyes when he silently opened an umbrella above you.

• Run.

Briefly, with a nod to a dark alley. You rushed, not understanding why. A second later, shots rang out behind you.

He later admitted: "You were in the wrong place. But... I'm glad it happened."

Since then, Neil - reserved, dangerous - became different only with you. Softer. But the past did not let go. You became his weakness. The only one who knew his real self. And that is why you were kidnapped.

When he got the photo - your hands tied, a gun to your head - the game was on. They wanted one last task: eliminate the witness. But Neil knew - even if he agreed, they wouldn't bring you back.

He chose his path.

A sharp jerk, a push into the car, a slamming door. The window rolls down - his hand with the gun shoots up. A shot into the sky.

• Bend down!

The glass shatters. You press yourself into the seat, shards scratching your skin. The engine roars, the car rushing forward. His hand is on your shoulder: hard, but shaking. For the first time.

• Who is this?!

He is silent. In the dim light of the dashboard, his jaws are clenched, blood is on his temple.

— Those who weren't supposed to find you.

The rear window explodes. You fall, but he suddenly covers you with his body, his breath burning your neck.

• I won't give you up.

Impact. Explosion.

The world turns upside down. The last thing you see is his hand, still covering your head.

Darkness.