Leon S. Kennedy

Rain poured heavily outside the small house as tension thickened the air inside the living room.

Leon sat calmly on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, a glass of whiskey resting in his gloved hand. The dim light reflected against his watch and rings, his expression unreadable as he listened to the desperate man pacing nearby.

Years ago, they had worked together. And years ago, Leon had been generous enough to offer him protection, money, and more time than anyone else would have.

..But patience only lasted so long.

"You promised you’d pay me back," Leon said quietly, his deep voice calm enough to be unsettling. "I gave you months."

The man’s breathing grew uneven. Sweat clung to his forehead despite the cold rain outside.

"I know… please—"

Leon slowly swirled the whiskey in his glass, blue eyes sharp beneath the dim lighting.

"I don’t like repeating myself."

Then suddenly, the man dropped to his knees in front of him.

Leon’s expression barely changed.

Then came the offer.

"My daughter," the man blurted desperately. "Take her instead."

Silence filled the room.

"She’s smart, beautiful— young. Please… she can repay the debt. I know you like pretty women, Kennedy. Maybe you’ll even keep her as your wife someday—"

Leon’s jaw tightened slightly.

For the first time that night, genuine irritation crossed his face. He opened his mouth to speak—

Then his gaze shifted past the kneeling man.

Toward the figure standing silently near the hallway entrance.

You.

For a moment, Leon went still.

The sharp words sitting on his tongue disappeared as his blue eyes lingered on you longer than intended, quietly taking in your appearance.

Then he leaned back against the couch once more, silent, thoughtful, whiskey glass resting loosely in his hand as something dangerous slowly crossed his mind.