*Flora's POV*
*The low hum of the bar buzzed around me as I leaned closer to Chase. My voice was a whisper, barely audible over the clink of glasses and murmured conversations. “If Lucian comes near, let me know. And where’s the closest exit?”*
*Chase’s eyes flicked nervously toward Lucian, who was standing at the center of a group of men, his mere presence commanding the room. “Closest door is that one,” Chase murmured, nodding toward a nondescript wooden door at the back of the bar.*
*I followed his gaze, my heart thudding in my chest. The door looked small, inconspicuous, but it was my best shot. I nodded and returned my attention to my glass, clutching it tightly as if the cool surface could somehow steady my trembling hands.*
*The crowd around Lucian grew louder, their voices carrying over the din of the bar.*
*“The mafia boss!” one man shouted, raising his glass high in a drunken cheer.*
*“Lucian, the untouchable!” another chimed in, slapping him on the back.*
*Lucian’s deep laughter cut through the noise, a sound that sent chills racing down my spine. He was eating up the attention, a predator basking in the admiration of his prey.*
*I tried to shrink further into my seat, willing myself to disappear. “Chase,” I whispered again, my voice tight. “Let me know the second he gets close.”*
*Chase gave a small nod, his hands busy cleaning glasses, but his eyes darted toward Lucian every few seconds.*
*I risked a glance over my shoulder and immediately regretted it. Lucian was moving, weaving his way through the tables, his sharp gaze scanning the bar. He didn’t seem to recognize me—yet—but his casual, confident strides were like a predator prowling the edges of its territory.*
*Chase leaned closer. “He’s moving toward this side of the bar,” he said, his voice low.*
*I forced myself to stay calm, taking a slow sip of my drink. “How far?”*
*“Not far,” Chase muttered, wiping his hands on a towel. “He’s still greeting people, but he’ll be here soon.”*
*Lucian’s deep voice reached my ears, his tone laced with amusement. “Ah, Joseph! Still losing at poker, I see.”*
*The man he addressed laughed nervously. “Can’t win ‘em all, boss.”*
*I gritted my teeth. Boss. Mafia boss. It wasn’t just a nickname; it was who he was. And now he was circling closer.*
*“Relax,” Chase said, his voice pulling me back to the present. “You’ve got time. Just keep your cool.”*
*But keeping cool was easier said than done when Lucian’s voice suddenly grew louder, his teasing directed at me—or rather, at Dahlia.*
*“Well, well,” Lucian said, his tone playful as he addressed me without even knowing who I was. “Sitting all alone tonight, sweetheart? What happened to your usual crowd?”*
*I didn’t turn around, didn’t acknowledge him. My heart pounded in my chest as I kept my gaze fixed firmly on the drink in front of me.*
*Lucian chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement. “Silent treatment, huh? Come on, don’t be like that, sugar. What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”*
*I could feel his presence drawing closer, the weight of his gaze pressing against me like a physical force.*
*“Chase,” I whispered through gritted teeth. “Is he close?”*
*Chase didn’t answer immediately, but his silence told me everything I needed to know.*
*I tightened my grip on my glass, swallowing hard. Lucian’s footsteps were growing louder, his playful taunts becoming more pointed.*
*“Not even a little smile for me?” he said, his tone turning mockingly disappointed. “That’s not like you, doll.”*
*He was close—too close. I couldn’t wait any longer.*
*Taking a deep breath, I downed the rest of my drink in one gulp and stood abruptly. My chair scraped against the floor, drawing a few curious glances from the other patrons.*
*“Chase,” I muttered under my breath, nodding toward the door he had pointed out earlier.*
*Chase’s eyes widened, and he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.*
*I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. Keeping my movements calm and deliberate, I began to make my way toward the door.*
*“Leaving so soon?” Lucian’s voice called after me, a hint of curiosity breaking through his teasing tone.*
*I didn’t answer, my heart pounding in my ears as I quickened my pace.*
*Behind me, I could hear the sudden scrape of Lucian’s chair as he stood. His footsteps followed, faster and more purposeful now.*
*“Hey!” he called, his voice sharp. “Where are you going?”*
*I didn’t stop. Didn’t look back. My hand reached for the door, fumbling with the handle for what felt like an eternity before it finally gave way.*
*As soon as the door swung open, I broke into a run, the cool night air hitting my face like a slap. Behind me, I heard the door crash open, Lucian’s voice barking orders.*
*“Don’t let her get away!”*
*The sound of heavy footsteps followed, the thunder of boots on pavement echoing in the narrow alleyway.*
*I didn’t dare look back. My legs pumped furiously as I sprinted toward the small fence ahead. It wasn’t high, but in my panic, it seemed like a towering wall.*
*“Stop her!” someone shouted, their voice laced with urgency.*
*I reached the fence and vaulted over it, my dress snagging on the top for a brief moment before I landed hard on the other side. My knees screamed in protest, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.*
*Behind me, I heard the men hesitate, their footsteps faltering as they reached the fence.*
*“Keep going!” Lucian’s voice rang out, cutting through the night like a whip.*
*I crossed the street, weaving between parked cars and alleyways as I tried to put as much distance between myself and them as possible.*
*But they were relentless, their footsteps never far behind.*
*Finally, Lucian’s voice rang out again, commanding and final. “Stop!”*
*The footsteps halted abruptly, and I risked a glance over my shoulder. Lucian stood at the edge of the street, his men gathered around him like obedient dogs.*
*“She’s not worth it,” he said, his tone cold and dismissive. “Let her go.”*
*Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. Even from this distance, I could see the fury simmering beneath his calm exterior. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.*
*Without waiting to see what he would do next, I turned and disappeared into the night, my heart still racing and my mind spinning with the realization that I had narrowly escaped—for now.*