Chapter 240: Plan in motion

As Zenith mingled with the crowd, he kept looking around to make sure there were no suspicious followers.

Then he slipped through a narrow alley knowing by that moment they would have left.

He didn't stop walking fast until he was several blocks away.

Only then did he slow to a normal pace. On coming out from the ally, he disappeared into another evening crowd as though he were just another passerby. He didn't want to take a vehicle. Even though he was masked during the kidnapping, he still needed to be careful.

His breathing gradually steadied.

But his thoughts did not.

How...? How did they find the warehouse?

His jaw tightened.

Hunter's phone couldn't be traced.

He had taken every precaution.

Lucas's phone had been switched off the moment he was abducted.

Even if there had been a tracker on it, it shouldn't have led anyone there.

"So how?" he muttered.

Then replayed every step in his mind. The kidnapping with his mask intact. The drive.The car dropped and was reported stolen. The abandoned warehouse. The ransom call. Everything.

Then he frowned.

"Could it be maybe..." His eyes narrowed.

"Maybe someone saw us?"

He cursed under his breath.

"Damn it."

The thought irritated him, but it didn't frighten him.

He always had the red mask on. So even if someone saw us, they never saw my face."

A slow smile crept onto his lips.

"I can still walk around freely."

His confidence slowly returned.

He let out a quiet chuckle. "I think I'll just head home."

He stretched his shoulders with a smile on his face, he said audibly.   “Maybe call Baddie over."

He smirked to himself.

"I could use a nice massage after all this failed excitement." He had barely taken another step before another idea flashed through his mind.

He stopped walking. His smile widened.

"...Baddie."

He tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"He was interested if the risky business would pay five million.”

Zenith’s eyes gleamed.

"What if..." He whispered the words to himself. "...I changed my strategy?"1

He began pacing slowly along the sidewalk. h

"Lucas won't be surrounded forever. So eventually he'll start moving around freely again."

A grin spread across his face.

"And when that happens," He snapped his fingers. "I'll be waiting."

His smile became almost boyish.

"So enjoy your reunion, Luc."

He laughed softly.

"Have fun playing house with that silly Alex."

He tilted his head toward the night sky.

"Because next time, we meet again, you're leaving town with me, my Luc.” His voice dropped into a whisper.

The thought amused him so much that he burst into loud laughter.

People walking past slowed down to stare.

Some frowned. Others crossed the street to avoid him.

Zenith noticed their reactions and suddenly stopped laughing and turned toward them.

"What?" His voice rang across the sidewalk.

"What are you all looking at, huh?"

His eyes were wild.

The pedestrians quickly looked away and hurried on.

One mother pulled her child closer.

An elderly man muttered, "Crazy fellow," under his breath before disappearing into the crowd.

Zenith watched them leave.

Then he threw his head back and laughed even harder.

The sound echoed down the street.

Still chuckling to himself, he adjusted his jacket and strolled toward a nearby bar.

The bright neon sign flickers above the entrance. He pushed open the door. Warm music and the smell of alcohol greeted him.

"For tonight," he murmured with a satisfied smile, "A good drink would be a nice start before my happy ending."

He walked to the counter, completely unaware that although he had escaped being captured at the warehouse, eyes were out for him.

Alex and his men now knew exactly who they were hunting.

And the next encounter between them won’t be funny.

Zenith settled onto a stool at the corner of the bar. The bartender slid a glass toward him.

"Your whiskey."

Zenith nodded in thanks, lifted the glass, and took a slow sip. The warmth burned pleasantly down his throat.

Finally….He could breathe.

He leaned back, replaying the day's events.

Lucas had escaped. No… Lucas had been rescued..The thought irritated him, but it didn't crush his confidence.

He glanced at the time on his phone. 7:45 p.m. A slow smile spread across his face.

"Baddie..."

He remembered their conversation.

Eight to eleven is free.

"Perfect." He muttered as he tapped the contact and brought the phone to his ear.

The call barely rang before it was answered.

A cheerful voice greeted him.

"Hey, hottie." Baddie laughed warmly.

"Tell me you want some fun tonight."

Zenith chuckled. "I think I can make it." He swirled the whiskey in his glass.

"So, do I come over, or are you coming to me?"

“Any place is okay with me.” Zenith responded.

"Come on, Zee." Baddie's voice was playful. "You're the client, you make the choice."

"Either place works for me." Zenith took another sip but if you insist,  I'll come to yours."

"That's what I like to hear."

Baddie grinned.

"When should I expect you, sweet Zee?"

"In about twenty minutes."

Zenith glanced around the bar. "I'm just finishing a drink."

Baddie gasped dramatically. "Oh, dear. Are you planning to murder me tonight? Should I call a doctor in advance?"

Zenith burst into laughter. "You've always been dramatic."

"And you've always loved it."

Baddie laughed along with him.

When their laughter faded, Baddie smiled. "Drive safely, hottie. I'll be waiting. So see you soon, Sweet Zee."

"See you Baddie"

The call ended.

Zenith slipped the phone back into his pocket and finished the last of his drink.

He had no idea that the moment he'd agreed to come over, several people had already begun preparing for his arrival.

Across town, Inside Baddie's apartment building, the mood was completely different.

Thomas stood in front of a monitor displaying live feeds from the security cameras installed outside the apartment.

"There." He pointed toward the entrance.

"The moment he walks into the lobby, we'll know."

Dan nodded.

"The cameras cover every angle."

Jason checked the positioning of the officers.

"Team One stays in the hallway, team two covers the stairwell. No one moves until he reaches the apartment door."

Dan stood silently, listening.

Thomas looked at him.

"We only get one chance."

Dan nodded once. "I know."

"If he realizes it's a trap, he's gone."

Baddie adjusted his shirt and let out a dramatic sigh.

"So...I'm officially bait again."

Jason smirked.."You volunteered."

"I know."

Baddie rolled his eyes playfully.

"But if this lunatic ruins my furniture, I'm sending him the repair bill."

A few people chuckled. The tension eased, just only for a moment.

Then everyone returned to their positions. The waiting began.

Meanwhile, at the Benson family home,

Lucas sat on the living room sofa wrapped in a soft blanket after a warm bath.

A mug of warm tea rested between his hands. Sally hovered nearby like a protective mother hen.

"Eat another bite dear."

Lucas smiled weakly. "Mrs. Benson..."

She frowned immediately. "What did I tell you?"

Lucas laughed softly. "Sorry..."

He corrected himself. "Mom."

Her face instantly lit up. "That's much better."