Seduction of the Damned

The Stakes

Negan's POV

We rolled up to the rival camp with the sun dipping low, casting long shadows over the scrappy collection of tents and makeshift buildings. It wasn't much—hell, it was barely standing—but they had numbers, and more importantly, they had balls. Balls enough to challenge me.

I stepped out of the truck, boots crunching on the dirt as my crew followed behind. Lucille was slung over my shoulder, her weight familiar and comforting, like a promise. The whole camp stopped when they saw us. Eyes darting, hands gripping weapons, but no one made a move yet. They knew better.

I walked forward, slow and steady, taking my time. "Well, well, well..." I called out, my voice carrying through the camp. "Looks like we got ourselves a situation, folks!" I paused, letting the tension settle over them, before smirking. "Now, I'm not here to waste your time, so let's get right to it. You've got something that belongs to me. And I'm here to collect."

The crowd parted as their leader stepped out—a big guy, stocky, with a sneer that made it clear he thought he could take me. Stupid. His name was Rick—no, not that Rick, but another cocky bastard who thought he was smarter than he was.

Rick took a step closer, arms crossed over his chest, trying to size me up. "Negan," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Always the showman."

I grinned, wide and slow. "You know me. Gotta give the people a little something to talk about." I glanced around at his men, all standing tense and waiting for orders. "Now, let's make this easy, shall we? You hand over my defectors, you pay what you owe, and we all get to go home in one piece. How's that sound?"

Rick chuckled, but it wasn't a friendly sound. "You think you can just waltz in here and make demands? We're not your little lapdogs, Negan. And as for what you're asking... well, I've got different plans." He leaned forward, his eyes glinting with something nasty. "Besides, seems like you've already got your hands full, don't you?"

He nodded toward Vikki, who stood beside me, quiet and composed. His smirk widened as he sized her up, and I felt my blood start to boil.

"That your new girl?" Rick sneered. "Gotta say, she doesn't look like much. But I guess you've got a thing for picking up the scraps, huh? How's she treating you, Negan? Or is it the other way around?" His eyes flashed with cruelty. "Bet she's just waiting for someone better to come along."

I felt Lucille twitch in my grip, my fingers tightening around the handle. I didn't usually let words get to me, but hearing him talk about Vikki like that? That was a different story. I took a step forward, the anger simmering beneath my calm exterior. "You're running your mouth, Rick. And that's not gonna end well for you."

Rick shrugged, clearly enjoying himself. "Oh, come on. We all know how this works. You break 'em down, turn 'em into little pets. And maybe she's loyal now, but give it time, Negan. Girls like her don't stay loyal for long. Especially when they get a look at what else is out there."

I felt the heat rise in my chest, my heart pounding in my ears. I could feel Vikki beside me, steady, watching, but I was starting to second-guess bringing her here. This wasn't the plan. The plan was simple—take what we came for, deliver the punishment, and leave. But now? Now it was personal.

I took another step forward, eyes locked on Rick. "You're pushing it, Rick. I'm giving you one last chance to shut your mouth before I shut it for you."

He laughed, stepping closer until we were face to face. "Oh yeah? You gonna swing that bat at me while your little girlfriend watches? Or maybe she'll be the one who breaks first. Wouldn't be the first time someone realized they're better off without you."

That was it. I was ready to take his head off, but before I could move, something happened that stopped me in my tracks.

Vikki stepped forward.

I barely had time to register what was happening before she moved in front of me, her eyes sharp and focused, no fear in her expression. She stood there, face-to-face with Rick, and for a second, the whole camp went silent.

"I think you've said enough," she said, her voice cold, controlled. "Now it's time for you to listen."

Rick looked taken aback, but only for a moment. "Oh, and what's the little lady got to say?"

Vikki didn't flinch. "You think I'm just here on the sidelines? Think I'm just some pretty thing standing next to Negan? You're wrong." Her voice was steady, but there was fire underneath it. "I'm here because I choose to be. Because I'm loyal to him. And if you think you can break that, you don't know me at all."

Rick sneered. "Loyal? To him?" He laughed again. "You're delusional."

Vikki's eyes narrowed, and before anyone could react, she moved. Fast.

In a blur, she grabbed a knife from her belt and pressed it to Rick's throat, the sharp blade catching the light. The whole camp froze. Even Rick stood completely still, his eyes wide with shock.

"I'm not delusional," Vikki said, her voice low and dangerous. "I'm just not as weak as you think I am."

For a moment, everything hung in the air, the tension thick enough to cut. I watched, half in awe, half terrified of what might happen next. I hadn't planned for this, hadn't expected her to step up like this. And now I wasn't sure if I'd made the right call bringing her along.

But then, Rick lowered his hands, eyes darting between me and Vikki, and I knew we had him. She had him.

Vikki stepped back, lowering the knife but never taking her eyes off him. "We're done here," she said coldly.

Rick didn't argue. He didn't say a damn thing.

I stepped forward, my pulse still racing, but this time I let out a low chuckle. "Well, Rick, looks like you got your answer."

He glared at me, but said nothing, his pride clearly wounded. I smirked, turning to Vikki. "Let's get what we came for, sweetheart."

We left the camp, our crew handling the rest, but the image of Vikki standing up to Rick stayed with me. She'd proven herself in a way I hadn't expected, and as we headed back to the truck, something settled in my chest.

Regret.

Not for what she did, but for putting her in that position in the first place. I should've protected her. I should've stepped in. But she had stepped up, proving her loyalty in a way that left no doubt in anyone's mind. Especially mine.

As we drove back, I glanced at her, sitting quietly beside me, her face calm but determined.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I shouldn't have put you in that spot," I muttered, keeping my voice low. "But damn, Vikki, you handled it better than I would've."

She turned to me, her lips curving into a soft smile. "It's okay, Negan. I needed to prove myself. And now, I know I can."

I let out a breath, my chest tightening in a way that I didn't expect. She was something else. More than I'd realized. And I was falling for her.