Chapter 177: Rescued

He gazed at him and for the first time since entering the room, he hesitated.

“Luc…” he said slowly, searching his face. “You’re serious?”

Lucas held his gaze, steady, unflinching. “You didn’t give me much choice, did you?” he replied calmly. “You’re the one who’s been all over me so don't blame me if I fuck you too hard.”

Another pause as the tension shifted completely.

Zenith leaned in again, but this time, slower and more cautious, as if reassessing everything.

And Lucas watched him closely.

Waiting because he was no longer just resisting, he was testing a theory. He needed to get himself out of that fucking place.

Zenith leaned in closer, slow this time, cautious, like he was stepping into unfamiliar territory. His eyes searched Lucas’s face, trying to read him.

Trying to understand if this was defiance, or something else.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Luc,” he muttered, voice lower now, less certain than before.

Lucas didn’t flinch or look away.

“If I am,” he replied calmly, “then you started it.”

A flicker of something crossed Zenith’s gaze. First, it was confusion, then curiosity. Desire was still there, but now tangled with hesitation.

Lucas leaned forward just enough, closing the space between them again, his expression unreadable.

“You want me so badly, right?” he said quietly. “Then stop acting like a desperate hunny bunny and untie me.”

Zenith’s jaw tightened slightly.

Lucas’s eyes sharpened. “Because the way you’re going about this?” he continued, voice dropping further, more deliberate, “it’s not going to get you a good fuck.”

Silence stretched.

For the first time since this started, Zenith wasn’t in control.

His hand, which had been roaming Lucas’s chest, had slowed slightly.

“You’re up to something,” Zenith said slowly, almost to himself.

Lucas let out a soft scoff. “Took you long enough to notice. I want to get a good fuck too. After all, it's free.”

Another pause, then Zenith reached up. His fingers hovered near the edge of his mask.

Lucas’s heart skipped.

This is it…

But instead of pulling it off, Zenith stopped. His hand dropped.

A chuckle escaped him, but it lacked the earlier confidence.

“You’re trying to figure me out,” he said.

Lucas didn’t deny it.

“Maybe I already have,” he replied.

That made Zenith look at him again, this time, sharper and more alert.

“Careful, Luc…” he warned softly. “You might not like what you find.”

Lucas held his gaze, unshaken.

“Try me.”

For a second, neither of them moved. The air between them was thick with tension, no longer just physical, but something deeper.

Then, from outside, through the window, a distant faint noise came from down the street.

Zenith’s head snapped slightly toward the window. Lucas caught it. And in that brief distraction, a small, knowing look flickered in his eyes.

Something was coming and whatever that was had shattered the fragile state he was in.

Zenith moved quickly to the window, pulling the curtain just enough to peek through.

And then his heart dropped and his expression changed.

A sleek black car rolled to a stop.

He knew that car like the back of his hand. It was Alex’s car.

Behind it, three more vehicles pulled in, spacing out with quiet precision. He watched and then muttered, “Police.”

His pulse spiked violently, his breath catching in his throat.

“No…” he whispered under his breath. His grip tightened against the window frame as reality slammed into him. They found us, he thought.

Panic flickered, but only for a second before instinct took over.

Fast and sharply, he turned immediately, moving with urgency. There was no hesitation left in his steps and no room for mistakes.

He stepped out into the living area, already reaching up, ripping the mask off his face, and threw it in his pocket.

His breathing was uneven, his mind racing ahead. All he was hearing was, think, move, disappear.

Without looking back or checking on Lucas, he headed straight for the door. Peep, no one was there, he pulled it open and slipped out.

His footsteps were quick but controlled as he took the stairs down instead of the elevator.

One floor, then two, he stopped at the next level, glancing down the hallway. It was clear.

He moved fast, reaching one of the apartment doors, pulling out a spare key from his pocket, and the door clicked open.

Zenith slipped inside and shut the door quietly behind him, pressing his back against it as he tried to steady his breathing.

To be safe, he pulled out the mask and went over to the dust bin, tied it with nylon, and disposed of it. He pulled his clothes and hid them under the mattress. Then entered the bathroom and turned on the shower.

Above him, everything was about to explode and Lucas didn't care because he was safe.

For the first time since this began, Zenith wasn’t thinking about him. He was thinking about his escape.

The hallway fell silent as the team took position. Alex stood just behind the officers, his chest tight, every second stretching painfully.

He’s okay… he has to be okay…

One of the officers reached for the handle. It turned, unlocked.

They exchanged a glance before pushing the door open carefully.

“Clear the living room.” They moved in swiftly but it was empty.

“The kitchen…clear.”

“Bathroom…clear.”

Alex’s heartbeat pounded louder with each report. Then, the bedroom door. They paused.

Weapons raised.

“Come out!” one of the officers called firmly. “You’re surrounded!”

A beat.

Then a flat, tired voice came from inside. “They’re not here… It’s just me, Lucas.”

Alex’s breath caught.

“Open it,” the officer ordered.

The door creaked open slowly. They entered cautiously, scanning every corner before lowering their weapons slightly.

“Are you alone?” one of them asked.

Lucas stood by the pillar, wrists still bound, shirt half-open, his expression guarded.

“Yes,” he replied. “The masked man is gone.”

That was all Alex needed “Lucas…baby…”

He pushed past the officers before anyone could stop him, crossing the room in seconds and pulling Lucas into a tight embrace.

“Baby, I’m so sorry,” Alex said, his voice breaking despite himself. “God… are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

For a split second, Lucas didn’t move. Then, he stiffened, shaking him off his body.

“Alex,” he said coldly, his eyes sharp, “take your hands off me. I’m fine.”

The room went still.

Alex froze. His heart sank instantly. That tone and that look in

Lucas’s eyes scare the hell out of him.

And he had every right to be.

“I…” Alex started, but the words died in his throat.

He knew he had messed up badly.

One of the officers stepped forward, already working on the ropes. “Hold still.”

As the bindings loosened, Lucas let out a small, involuntary wince, his arms dropping stiffly to his sides.

“Sorry,” the officer muttered. “Is it hurting badly? We can get you to a hospital.”

Before Lucas could answer, “I’ll take you,” Alex cut in quickly, stepping forward again. “Come on, let’s go…”

“I don’t need your help.” Lucas’s voice snapped through the air like a blade.

The officers exchanged glances, surprised.

Alex stopped mid-step.