Killing Me Softly

[Kyle Torchwood]

Colin wasn't the type to find himself pretending to be someone he was not in order to do what was required of him, but today he had to be. When the invitation had come to join the Family, it had been part of an elaborate ruse to get close enough to the Donna and kill her, plain and simple. His family, the Ransik's, felt that her rise to power was a threat to the businesses that they owned and operated. Her empire could not snuff theirs out, and that was how it was to be.

Colin was their enforcer, and Colin was the one they sent to deal with her.

Her guards did a good job of ensuring that no one got near her, not unless they were allowed, or invited. His goal was to get an invitation from her, and he had finally gotten it. With the request in hand, his feet carried him to her private office, the entrance of which was not so private, but what was behind it very much so.

The slick and polish of his shoes complimented his dark charcoal and pinstripe suit. His smoking was a habit that no one would break, so even though he had nothing in his mouth or hand now, he smelled of tobacco. This was who he was. Planting a smirk on his face, Colin knocked on the door. All that was needed was her voice to bid him to enter and what he had been sent to do... well that was yet to be seen.

[member="Ahtemis"]

 

[Valgærd]

I drew in a breath and let it out again.

My heart was in my throat; a double-edged sword of sorts. On the one hand, I had always relied on my instincts, and they had always served me well. Even as a pup, that tell-tale prickling of fur on the back of my neck had helped keep me out of trouble. Especially with my setbacks.

But how would I explain that to Colin?

Hi, I have a bad feeling about you, nothing personal. Then kill him? That certainly wouldn't go down well. I supposed, technically, I could. My office is private, whatever happens within those walls is between me and whomever I summon. Today, that person was Colin. He'd received one of my invitations, joined the crew travelling to Dohmus Prime.

I wasn't sitting at my desk. I almost never sat at my desk. As usual, I was leaning against it, arms folded across my chest, gaze out the window at the capital below me. Should I summon him? Would that just be letting the fox into the chicken coop? I could simply leave well enough alone. Sure, he made me uneasy, but he would make my enemies equally so.

Having successfully once again talked myself around in a circle, I huffed in frustration. This was getting me nowhere.

Then the was a knock at my door.

Raisin one eyebrow, I tilted my head to one side, listening for a moment. Hmm, not sure who was out there. The window looked in on my office from the north, meaning that as I gazed out of it, my back was to the door.

"Come in, Doll." I purred, casually waving a hand dismissively. Perhaps this distraction is what I needed

​

[member="Colin Ransik"]​

 

[Kyle Torchwood]

Her voice called for him to enter, and he really couldn’t say why he had been summoned. Why now? What did she want? These meeting happened on her terms, and Colin was more than aware of that fact.

His eyes drank in the dark and luxurious tone of the office as he stepped in through the door and closed it behind him. He quietly locked it as his habit was when enforcing the collections his father demanded. It was strictly an act of habit. Though having done it, he smiled. This meeting was going to be deadly for them. It was the only guarantee he had to be close to her.

“You wanted to see me,” Colin asked when his eyes finally landed on the Donna.

She sat at the edge of her desk, and her arms folded over her chest in a way that framed her breasts perfectly. Colin was never one to take a shy look at any woman. If he was going to undress them with his eyes, it would always be intentional. She was certainly a beauty, and it was a shame his father wanted her dead.

As his feet carried him toward her, the invitation in his hand was presented. A small gulp was taken. One of them needed to break.

“I can only guess you know who my father is?”

[member="Ahtemis"]

 

[Valgærd]

Colin.

The door opened and in walked the very man that had been occupying my thoughts. I noticed that he reflexively locked the door behind him. Immediately I tensed, the hair on the back of my neck prickling. Now we were trapped in her, both him and myself. The problem was, I wasn't entirely sure who had trapped whom.

The man paused only after closing the gap between us somewhat, his eyes not meeting mine, but instead drinking in my form, draped somewhat elegantly in the shadows that permanently decorated my office. For the moment, I said nothing, simply waiting for the man to be ready to meet my eyes once again.

He did, speaking and mentioning that I wanted to see him. I nodded slowly, lifting myself from the desk and unfolding my arms. I took a step towards him, stopping as he spoke again.

His Father. Head of the Ransik family.

"I do."

The game, it seemed, was coming to a head. There was no more pretending from either of us. He'd played the part of innocent recruit (well, as innocent as my recruits could be) and I the blissfully unaware employer. However, the masks fell away and the inevitable confrontation had arrived.

"Why are you here?" I asked, "is Daddy's favourite little boy here for money? Secrets? Or are you the runt, sent into the lions den merely to amuse the old man?"

More than a little harsh, I was aware. But what can I say? A wolf, when backed into a corner, is prone to bite.

​

[member="Colin Ransik"]​

 

[Kyle Torchwood]

Of course she knew his father. It was likely the reason he had been recruited. If one could manage to actually flip one of Ransik son's, well that would be a feat worthy of bragging about. That was thing though, the Ransik family was as closely knit together as the the Donna wanted The Family to be. That's why her insult was a bit of a low blow.

"Right then, so the games can stop," he canted his head as his hand reached to grip her throat.

If anyone would have thought that he would not have the courage to proceed with what his father wanted, or to even kill the woman in her own office, they were mistaken. The door was locked and by the time anyone would make it through to them, they both would likely be dead. Colin knew what his father had asked of him when he sent him to make the hit.

"I agreed to the hit because I knew what he was asking, and you and I both know that men like me die violent deaths. A great service to the family," Colin said as he walked back until they reached the desk.

His eyes bore into hers, and even as his hand seemed to tighten around her throat, he couldn't squeeze hard enough to actually end her. There was something in the moment, perhaps it had been there from the first that they had met. This wasn't a game, it was simply that he could not do what his father wanted and he knew it. Colin made a decision, quickly, in that brief moment, and rather than tighten his grip, he pulled his lips to hers.

[member="Ahtemis"]

 

[Valgærd]

Indeed... the games could stop.

I gave a little nod as Colin spoke. My heart was in my throat, blood pounding in my ears as my head spun wildly. I'm not exactly completely defenceless, but I had made a point of surrounding myself with very dangerous people. While they were loyal to me it wasn't a problem--it was a boon, in fact--but when they weren't... then things changed some. But this was just posturing and talk, right? He wouldn't actually be dumb enough to attack me in my own office, right?

His hand shot out, wrapping around my throat as the shock kept me from reacting. Instantly, the panic flooded over me, my breath sharp and shallow. One of my own hands reflexively wrapped around his forearm, the other digging into his fingers, trying to pry him off with a grunt. I'm a lot stronger than I look, and while the thought flew through my mind that he would likely find out my secret, or at least become suspicious of it, I pulled as hard as I could. If I had my way he'd be dead soon anyway.

He spoke, walking us back until I hit the edge of my desk with a wince.

"Men... like... you..." I gasped, "are expendable. You're... worth no more to him... than the speeder... he drives."

His eyes bore into mine, and I stared back. For a moment, everything seemed to fall away, that one second in time stretching out far longer than it had any right to. We were both predators, two apex warriors facing each other on the battlefield for the first time. I made sure that he wouldn't see the fear in my eyes, only rage. No one comes into my house and puts their hands on me.

But before I could react, something shifted in his gaze. I didn't have time to process what it was before I found his lips on mine.

My reactions were completely instinct-driven now. My hand dropped from his forearm, reaching for the letter-opener on my desk. The steel flashed in the light as my fingers closed around it. In a single, swift motion I brought it up, slashing along his outstretched forearm. A slash like that, unless it had been defended, would be painful, likely cutting deep enough to really bleed, but unfortunately, a letter opener wouldn't really do any lasting damage. My intention was to surprise him enough to make his grip on my throat loosen so I could yank myself free and step out to the side.

"YOU WOULD DARE?!" I hissed, "IN MY HOUSE?!"

​

[member="Colin Ransik"]​

 

[Kyle Torchwood]

"queen!"

The word flew from Colin's mouth as he pulled his arm back. Her attack had gotten the desired result, and had it not been for cloth of his suit, he would have been bleeding more than the scratch which was on his arm now. He took the jacket off and tossed it on the floor, knowing it was worth nothing but a rag now. One would think that Colin would back away, knowing this was not his moment, but she had not called for any guards. No, the woman would do her own dirty work.

She wanted to fight, and Colin found that.....

Attractive.

His own marriage was simply for show. Colin's father had insisted the man appear to be above reproach on the surface, but everyone knew that he was not faithful to the woman, and the controlling hand of his father was always quick to chastise him.

That was why his hand flew and backhanded the Donna right across the left side of her face.

"Of course I am expendable to him. Don't think I know that. I am expendable to everyone, you included, so don't pretend that you are somehow better than him."

He tried to grab her hands and pin them behind her back.

"If I don't kill you, I can't go back to him... and if I do... I am dead anyway. I might as well die my way..."

[member="Ahtemis"]

 

[Valgærd]

I gasped, stunned not only by the sudden cry, but the sharp slap that followed.

My hand flew to my cheek, flesh stinging, as the force of the strike sent me towards the ground, barely able to catch myself before I fell. No one had dared do such a thing since I had become the Donna. I'd almost forgotten what it felt like to be on the receiving end of a strike like that.

Almost.

Everything had happened so fast, I could barely process how everything had transpired. The kiss... then this... My mind could barely keep up with it all. But I couldn't take the time to think about it now. My face still stung, cheek flushed where he'd hit me. He spoke, telling me how he believed it was. I drew in a shuddering breath to reply, but still disoriented from the slap, I was taken by surprised as he suddenly grabbed my hands and pinned them behind me. The movement forced us closer together, close enough that I could tear out his throat without so much as leaning forward if I would dare allow him to know my secret.

"Ugh!" The cry escaped my lips before I could stop it.

I scowled, letting him see the white-hot fire behind my eyes. He'd made several fatal mistakes tonight. The last one being trying to control a woman without taking into account her legs. With all my speed and might (not inconsiderable, thanks to my Gurlanin blood), I wrenched my right knee up directly into his groin. The shock and pain ought to be enough for him to loosen his grip on me to a point where I could yank myself free.

A second knee, if undefended, would then land in his stomach, aiming to make sure he stayed winded and doubled over. If that were successful, I'd step around behind him as he doubled over to catch his breath. The letter opened in one hand, I would then use the other to grab the back of his head and tilt it up towards the window, so he could see the Capital City sprawling beyond.

"Do you think that you would die your way?" I hissed, "do you think that you would be able to escape the harshest of punishments by dying? I made this world, and here, I am a goddess. Dying is a luxury you would not be afforded."

But I paused, curious to see how he'd react. What if that didn't phase him? He had come here ready to throw his life away for a single job. If I could turn him around... that was the kind of loyalty I could honestly use...

​

[member="Colin Ransik"]​

 

[Kyle Torchwood]

The first kick to his groin found its mark, and sent Colin stumbling back a bit. Letting go of her hand proved to be the best thing he could do as a second knee followed after, which he barely moved away from. Her words spewed out at him as if he had no control over the way he died, but if she thought she was in control she had another thing coming. A grin pulled at his face that showed how sick and sadistic he was. Colin was enjoying this even though she crushed his groin with her knee.

She grabbed his head, but didn’t pin him. It would be her mistake. As soon as her words finished, Colin stood to his feet, forcing her to move with him, and grabbing an arm, spun behind her and forced her curved body into the transparasteel of her window.

His lips pressed close to her ear and he whispered hotly into it.

“And by fighting back you aren’t just playing into what I want?”

The question left just before he began to pepper her neck with soft kisses. Why he was doing this, he didn’t know. Perhaps he needed her to know that he was choosing her over his father, but that she would never control him. No woman would ever control Colin. He would be faithful to himself, and anyone that expected anything other than that, they didn’t deserve what loyalty he would give.

He released her this time before there was further cause of incident. His eyes still drank her in. Every part of him wanted her in the worst way, and yet it seemed they were still posturing and playing a game.

“I’m not going to kill you... my father doesn’t get to win. But tell me... what do you want from me... to leave... stay... whatever it is as long as you don’t operate under the assumption that you control me.”

[member="Ahtemis"]

 

[Valgærd]

I was proud.

I got careless, stupid, made a mistake. Having gotten caught up in teaching this upstart a lesson, I had neglected to do the most basic thing: Make sure he was pinned. Amid my monologue about what sort of treatment awaited Colin should he succeed in... in what he came to do... he suddenly stood. The motion threw me off-balance enough that he was able to grab my arm and spin me around to be pressed against the window of my office, his body between me and escape.

A yelp of surprise escaped my lips, becoming a grunt as I was shoved against the window, Colin's weight slamming into me from behind. Pinned, I struggled helplessly as he spoke softly in my ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine. The sound that slipped out of my mouth at his kisses to my neck was something between a yelp and a whimper. Of course I wanted him to stop, of course this sudden and bizarre display wouldn't catch me off-guard... so why my struggles seemed to dwindle I did not know.

Suddenly he released me, stepping back and speaking. I remained at the window a moment, panting, catching my breath, my mind whirled, fighting to catch up with me as it processed how close I'd just come to death. What if I had chosen a form that wasn't as alluring as this one? What if I'd been in my natural...? I chose not to think about it, turning to face him and raising an eyebrow. For a few moments I said nothing, studying him with the same gaze that he used on me as my heart continued to race in my chest. I could use this. A member of the Ransik family? Quite the bounty indeed. Normally, such a deal as this was far too dangerous to even consider... so why was I considering it?

"Very well, Colin Ransik." I declared, putting my hands on my hips, "I want you to stay."

A pause,

"However, as to who owns whom? That remains to be seen."

​

[member="Colin Ransik"]​

 

[Kyle Torchwood]

"Owns," he questioned with a lofted brow. "If you think that just because you have spared my life means that you own, you are sorely mistaken. Do not make the mistake of viewing my loyalty as giving you the right to treat me like property."

Colin stepped closer to her, and made no move to touch her or take her into his grip as he had before. A handkerchief was taken from the inside suit pocket of the jacket he was wearing and offered it to her. There was a small trickle of blood coming from the corner of her mouth where he had backhanded her, and while Colin did not usually care about what he did to a woman, he cared about the Donna's appearance. Her power and perception were everything, and Colin was not about to do anything to damage that. Destroying that would be worse than killing her.

"I will not be viewed as your property, but I am you man."

His hand went back to his side once she took the cloth. He canted his head to the side again as he looked at her, a hand came to her brow to move a lock of displaced hair from where it hung at her forehead. Tucking it back behind her ear, Colin slowly closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to hers. His intent was rather clear with the kiss. If she had not figured it out by now she was aloof, and Colin did not think of the woman as that. Cunning was more her style, and it was how he imagined her. They had both just tried to kill each other, each refusing to do so. There was a reason for that, there had to be.

Whatever the next several moments would provide, it would be nothing short of what either wanted. Colin never assumed that he could control or sway the Donna to do anything that she did not want to do in the first place. His ego might like to think he could influence her inhibitions, but he would never be able to control her, nor would she fully be able to control him. That was what their dance was truly about. They tested each other in ways that would determine how far they were willing to go to maintain that one never truly controlled the other. He was his to command publically, but behind closed doors they were equals at the very least. She did not own him, and he did not own her.

It all started with one kiss.

[member="Ahtemis"]