Chapter 176: James is done

The words landed heavily.

Lucas’s eyes narrowed instantly, locking onto the masked figure in front of him, his mind racing.

The second button followed. The fabric loosened, exposing his chest, the cold air brushing against it.

Lucas’s chest rose and fell faster now, his control slipping, not into fear alone, but into something deeper. Rage, humiliation, and something else… That gnawing, persistent familiarity. His gaze snapped back up to Zenith’s masked face, watching and studying.

“You’re crossing a line, this is harassment,” Lucas said, his voice lower but steadier despite everything. “And when I find out who you are, I will give it back to you.”

Zenith chuckled softly, cutting him off.

“Won't that be nice? How I wish you would give it back to me right now. I'm sure your ass will be very tight.”

Lucas glared at him, “I'm not like you so get away from me.”

“What?” he murmured. Are you the one fucking Alex?”

“That’s none of your business, just stay clear of me” Lucas snapped, already sick of him.

“If you find out who I am, you'll hate me, right?”

Lucas didn't respond.

He leaned in again, close enough for Lucas to feel his breath. He pressed a kiss to his chest

Lucas’s jaw tightened.

“I already hate you,” he shot back.

For a split second, something flickered behind the mask. Then Zenith smiled again, slow and unreadable. “Liar, you can't hate me. Do you hear me? You can't because I like you a lot.”

Meanwhile, James leaned back in his seat, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips.

This time, he was sure of it. There will be no police and certainly no mistakes.

He had outplayed them the moment he forced Alex to switch the drop. Sending Thomas instead? Smart, clean, and untraceable. So he thought.

What he didn’t know was that eyes were searching and were already closing on them.

Long before dawn, plainclothes officers had spread out quietly across the city, blending in like shadows. They weren’t just watching Thomas, they were watching everyone connected. From Alex, Dan, Jason, Lucas’s father’s driver to Annie, even Emily was not left out.

Every movement is tracked, and every route noted.

By almost 8 a.m., only one of them raised suspicion.

Thomas.

No official car, no driver. Just him and a bag heavy enough to carry far more than ten million.

That was enough.

Two officers exchanged a glance,

And then, they moved.

Unaware he was being watched, Thomas stepped out onto the street, flagging down a cab with a calm he didn’t quite feel.

“Unity Park,” he said, sliding in.

The bag sat firmly on his lap, unassuming and deadly important.

Behind him, another car pulled into motion. Then another one, quietly and unnoticed.

Unity Park was almost empty.

Morning air, cool and still. A few joggers. A vendor is setting up. There was nothing unusual except

The scattered presence of plainclothes officers some joggers, some just walking. They weren’t there to relax but to catch the culprit. Even as they jogged, they were well positioned, waiting with their body and eyes on alert.

Thomas’s cab rolled to a stop.

He stepped out, exactly as instructed, clutching the bag before placing it back inside.

Then he walked away. He didn’t look back or hesitate.

Minutes passed.

Then, Tobi appeared, walking casually and unhurried. Like he belonged there.

His eyes scanned, subtly, before he moved toward the cab. A few feet behind him, James followed.

Hands in his pockets. Head slightly lowered. He was too confident and didn't suspect a thing.

Inside the cab, the driver turned slightly. “Where to?”

“Jacob Street,” Tobi said smoothly as he slipped in.

James reached the door, then paused. Something felt off all of a sudden. But before he could process it, Tobi pulled out a gun, pressing it discreetly against the driver’s side.

“Out,” he muttered.

The driver froze for a split second and bolted.

The door swung open as he stumbled out and ran. The engine remained on as Tobi slid into position, taking control.

James felt uneasy and moved faster, closing the distance.

Then everything changed.

“Don’t move!”

The command rang out sharp and loud.

James froze mid-step. His head snapped up and his blood ran cold.

Guns were pointing directly at them from all sides. He realized that even some of the joggers were

plainclothes officers. Some even emerged like ghosts, surrounding him in seconds.

“Hands where we can see them!” The officer's voice echoed with authority from behind him

Tobi was dumbfounded and barely had time to react before two officers yanked the door open, guns trained on him.

“Drop it!”

Tobi’s grip tightened on the weapon, but the cold circle of barrels staring him down made his choice for him.

Slowly, he raised his hands.

James clenched his jaw, fury flashing across his face as realization hit him like a punch.

He’d been caught.

“Damn it…” he muttered under his breath.

The trap had closed and there was no way out.

Meanwhile, at the house, Zenith didn’t stop. No matter how much Lucas resisted, he kept pushing, closer, tighter, suffocating.

Then suddenly, he grabbed Lucas’s face and crushed his lips against his again, rough and forceful.

Lucas jerked violently against him, struggling, turning his head, breaking the contact with a sharp gasp.

Zenith pulled back with a frustrated groan. “Damn it, Luc… It’s just a kiss. Why are you acting like this? You’re hurting my feelings.”

“Fuck you,” Lucas shot back instantly, his voice filled with raw anger.

Zenith smirked, unfazed. “Yeah… Luc, fuck me. That’s exactly what I want.” His tone dropped, teasing, twisted. “Just a little fun with you…”

But Lucas wasn’t listening anymore. His mind had locked onto something else. ‘Luc.’

His breath hitched slightly.

He called me Luc…

Only a handful of people used that nickname. His thoughts spiraled fast.

Zenith…?

His eyes flickered, studying the masked man more carefully now.

I know he’s shameless, but kidnapping? Would he really go this far?

Before he could settle it, Zenith pressed closer again, his body deliberately invading Lucas’s space, trying to overpower him.

Lucas went still.

Then, he changed. Instead of resisting, he let out a low chuckle.

Zenith paused slightly.

Lucas leaned forward as much as the ropes allowed, brushing against him, his expression shifting, calculated now.

“Come on, Luc…” Zenith murmured, encouraged, his hand sliding lower again. But Lucas beat him to it.

“Damn it,” Lucas muttered, shaking his head, a strange smile playing on his lips.

Zenith wondered, what's with that voice as he gazed at him.

“Stop treating me like this,” Lucas said.

Zenith frowned slightly.

Lucas let out another soft, mocking chuckle, his gaze dropping briefly to Zenith’s waist before lifting again.

“Look at you,” he said, voice lighter now, almost teasing. “You’re all rigid down there.”

Zenith stilled.

Lucas leaned in just enough, lowering his voice. “If you want this so badly,” he continued with his tone deliberate and testing, “then we’re doing it my way.”

A beat.

“I don’t play the role you’re expecting. I'm top, so I will be the one fucking you.”

Zenith froze.