Chapter 59: THE WAR BEGINS

Setting the Trap

It was an apprehensive ride back to the estate. Since the phone call regarding his brother, Lucian had stayed silent. His jaw was squeezed so firmly I feared it may shatter, and his knuckles were white as he grasped the driving wheel. 

I put a gentle hand on his arm and extended out. "Are you certain about this, Lucian?" 

His dark, unfathomable stare flitted to me. "That's the only option," he muttered. "This must end tonight to stop Clara." 

My heart was beating when I swallowed. Even though I knew he was correct, I couldn't stop the fear from twisting within me. Clara wasn't just any adversary; she was ruthless, dangerous, and perpetually one step ahead. 

Lucian's crew were waiting for us as we arrived at the estate. Marco strode sternly up to the car. "It's all set," he declared. "Are you certain this is the best course of action?" 

Lucian's face was as hard as stone when he got out of the automobile. "It's the only remaining move." 

With questions flying through my thoughts, I followed him inside. "What is the plan exactly?" Trying to speak steadily, I asked. 

Lucian turned to face me, and his eyes briefly softened. We intend to compel her hand. I have planned a meeting. She will show if she is as desperate as I expect her to be. 

"What happens if she doesn't?" A knot in my stomach tightened as I asked. 

He said gently, "Then we find another way," but I could tell by the tone of his voice that he wasn't planning to fail. 

Marco looked between us and cleared his throat. "Where is this meeting being held?" 

Lucian narrowed his eyes and stared out the window. "Neutral territory. Near the docks lies a historic warehouse. She will be at peace enough to show herself there. However, we'll be prepared. 

I scowled. How is your brother doing? Is he being used as bait by her? 

Lucian's eyes got melancholy. She is. However, I will not allow her to harm him. 

The worry continued to gnaw at me even after I nodded. I wasn't sure if we would escape unscathed because this felt like a trap. 

The Interlude 

The warehouse was deserted and dark, and the air was heavy with the stench of seawater from the adjacent docks. With their eyes fixed on every potential entrance, Lucian's men were dispersed throughout the area, concealed in the shadows. 

With his back straight and his eyes focused on the door, Lucian stood in the center of the open area. My heart hammering in my chest, and I stood beside him. 

His voice was solid and quiet as he said, "She'll come." "She is unable to resist." 

My fingers were shaking a little as I gazed at him. "What happens if she doesn't?" 

"She will," he repeated, his conviction unshakable. 

Each minute seemed to drag on forever as it passed. At last, footsteps resonated throughout the warehouse. 

A bunch of armed males emerged on either side of Clara. She wore all black, and her cold, penetrating eyes were locked on Lucian. As she approached closer, a smirk formed on her lips. 

"All right," muttered Clara. "You've decided to come out of hiding," 

Lucian matched her smirk and didn't flinch. Calmly, he said, "I was hoping you'd bring a fight." 

Clara's happiness blazed in her eyes. "Oh, Lucian, I didn't come to fight. I came to complete the task I began. 

As Clara's men dispersed around us, I could feel my heart beating. I knew Clara wasn't a moron, but Lucian's men were hidden. She had anticipated this. 

"Clara, what is your ultimate goal?" I could hear the stress radiating from Lucian as he queried in a forceful voice. "You believe that killing me will grant you all of your desires?" 

Clara let out a frigid, bitter laugh. Killing you? No, that's too simple, Lucian. I want to start by destroying everything that matters to you. 

A shudder went down my spine as her eyes moved to me. 

Lucian stepped forward, his face hardening. "I'll make sure you regret touching her." 

Savoring the tension, Clara arched an eyebrow. "You you suppose you can keep her secure from me? Lucian, I've already taken your brother. What distinguishes her, in your opinion? 

Despite his hands gripping at his sides, Lucian kept his cool. "Clara, you made a mistake by coming here." 

Clara's eyes furrowed and her grin dimmed a bit. "Did I?" 

The Initial Shot Was Fired 

There was a tense silence in the warehouse as everyone waited for someone to initiate contact. Every muscle in my body was on high alert as my heart hammered in my chest. 

The warehouse was suddenly filled with the sound of a gunshot. 

Hell erupted. 

Lucian's forces were prepared, but Clara's men advanced rapidly with their rifles lifted. There was a deafening roar in the cramped area as gunfire rang out from all sides. With my heart hammering, I huddled behind a pile of crates and struggled to make sense of the turmoil. 

In the thick of it all, Lucian moved with speed and accuracy. With a single shot, he killed one of Clara's men, his face steely and intent. However, Clara was nowhere to be found. 

"Isabella!" I turned just in time to see Lucian waving for me to stay quiet as his voice broke through the commotion. 

As more shots rang out, I nodded and slid behind another container. My mind was racing: where was Clara? Wasn't this what she had planned? To create controversy and then vanish? 

A hand immediately grabbed my arm and pushed me roughly to my feet. With a gasp, I turned to see one of Clara's boys grasping my arm hard. 

He sneered and leveled his firearm, saying, "Gotcha." 

A shot sounded out before I could answer, and the man dropped to the ground, his hold slipping. Behind him, Lucian was still smoking his rifle. 

He drew me close and said, "You're not getting taken again." 

I grabbed him, my hands shivering from the adrenaline, my pulse hammering. I didn't have time to regain my breath, though. Around us, the fight was still going on. 

I shivered as I said, "Lucian, this is crazy." "We must leave this place!" 

Lucian gazed around the room and shook his head. "Not until I track down Clara." 

A loud crash erupted from the opposite side of the warehouse before he could continue speaking. With a smirk on her face, Clara appeared from the shadows just as we both turned around. 

With delight beaming in her eyes, she teased, "Well, isn't this fun?" "Lucian, did you believe you could outsmart me?" 

Lucian's eyes narrowed as he raised his gun. "Clara, it's over." 

Clara, however, only laughed and moved in closer. "Oh, Lucian, it's not quite over yet." Clara raised her hand and revealed a detonator before one of us could react. 

The realization chilled me to the bone. "No, Lucian," but it was already too late. When Clara clicked the button, the entire warehouse shook as the sound of an explosion ripped through the atmosphere. 

Just as the blast burst, Lucian grabbed me and pushed me to the ground. The air was heavy with dust and debris, and the explosion's force made my ears ring. 

Clara was gone when the smoke cleared. 

With a mumbled curse, Lucian assisted me in standing up. "Fuck it!" 

Still, in astonishment, I mumbled, "She... she set us up." "She had this planned out all along." 

Lucian had a gloomy face with angry eyes. "This is not the end of it. I promise to put an end to this. 

However, I couldn't get rid of the sensation that Clara had just won the first fight as we stood there ringed by the debris.