Chapter 27 Timely Counsel
Lucas’s POV
I stopped one of the workers in the hallway. “Where’s Xavier?”
“In his office, sir.”
Of course he was. I headed there, my mind already racing ahead of my steps.
Marco was dead. Zack would retaliate, I was sure about that.
That wasn’t speculation, it has always been blood for blood.
But that wasn’t what sat heavily on my chest.
Anna.
I needed to convince Xavier to spare Sam, that was manageable.
But more importantly… I needed to stop him from selling Anna.
I knocked once before entering. Xavier was seated behind his desk, flipping through financial reports like he hadn’t just stabbed a man in the chest an hour ago.
“Boss,” I greeted.
He didn’t look up immediately. “Lucas.”
“I heard about Marco,” I said carefully. “Zack will retaliate.”
Xavier finally lifted his gaze. “I’m expecting it,” he replied calmly. “And I’m well prepared. Zack is free to throw his best at me."
He closed the file in front of him. “But right now,” he added, “I have other things to attend to. Financial matters.”
Of course. Money was oxygen. “Alright, boss,” I said. “What do you want me to do?"
“Sam confessed,” Xavier said. “He claims he was sent by an anonymous person to set my accountant up.”
My jaw tightened slightly. “And you suspect Zack."
“I do."
“But we don’t have evidence,” I pointed out.
Xavier leaned back in his chair. “We’re going to get it.”
I hesitated. “I don’t see any reason why Zack would attack you directly,” I said. “Not without provocation.”
Xavier’s eyes darkened slightly. “We’ll find out soon enough.”
Silence stretched briefly.
“What’s the fate of Sam and Patrick?” I asked.
“Originally?” Xavier said lazily. “The plan was to kill them.”
My pulse tightened. “But,” he continued, “I’m not in the mood for that tonight. You handle them.”
That was my opening. “I suggest we keep them alive.”
He tilted his head slightly. “Why?”
“We can use Sam,” I said smoothly. “Make him find out who actually sent him. And Patrick…”
I paused deliberately. “…we use him to control Sam.”
Xavier studied me. Then he nodded once. “That’s a good idea."
Relief didn’t show on my face, but it hit internally.
“Get it done tonight,” he added. “And let them go tonight. I might not feel generous when I wake up and they’re still here.”
“I’ll take care of it." I turned to leave but then I stopped and faced Xavier. "Boss there's something else I want to discuss with you."
“Lucas."
I paused. “Yes, boss?”
“Get it done first. We'd talk afterwards."
I understood what that meant. Don’t push your luck. “Yes, boss.”
I left his office and headed to where Sam and Patrick were being kept.
Sam looked shaken. Patrick looked terrified. I started with Sam.
I pulled a chair in front of him and sat down calmly. “Your life is at stake,” I said bluntly. “So listen carefully.”
His arrogance was gone.
I explained the situation clearly, he would cooperate, find out who sent him, and feed us information. Or he and his father would disappear permanently.
He agreed quickly. Fear is an effective motivator.
Next, I went to Patrick. “You’ll be allowed to leave,” I told him. “On one condition.”
He nodded eagerly. “You keep your son in check. If he does anything stupid… it falls on you.”
Patrick didn’t hesitate. He accepted immediately.
Within the hour, I had them escorted out of the mansion.
I waited until the gates closed behind them.
Then I returned to Xavier’s office. “It’s done,” I said.
He looked pleased. “Good.”
I hesitated for a moment. Now or never.
“Like I said earlier, there’s something I’d like to discuss."
“Speak.”
“It’s about Anna.”
He leaned back slowly. “I’m listening.”
I chose my words carefully. “I advise you not to sell her.”
Silence.
“She has potential,” I continued. “She’s intelligent. Observant. Quick thinker. She could be extremely useful to us long-term.”
Xavier’s gaze sharpened. “Do you think I don’t know you’re fond of her?”
The words hit harder than I expected. I kept my face neutral, but inside, something shifted.
So he noticed. “What I’m advising,” I said carefully, “is based on strategy.”
“Is it?” he asked softly.
He stood up from his chair and walked around the desk. “You underestimate me if you think I don’t see what’s in front of me.”
I held his gaze. “What exactly do you think you see?”
He stopped a few feet away. “You,” he said calmly, “are not as neutral as you pretend to be.”
A pause.
“I’m selling her,” he continued. “And nothing will change my mind.”
My jaw tightened.
“She will fetch a handsome amount,” he added. “I need that money. I won’t throw it away.”
Money. Always money. “Understood,” I said finally.
I turned and walked out.
But the moment I left his office, I knew one thing.
If I couldn’t convince him, I would outmaneuver him.
I stepped outside into the courtyard and pulled out my phone.
There was only one person I could call for something like this.
He answered on the third ring. “It’s been a while,” the voice said.
“I need a loan,” I replied immediately. “A large one.”
There was a pause. “How large?”
I named the figure.
Even on the other end, silence deepened. “That’s not small money, Lucas.”
“I know.”
“What’s it for?”
I didn’t hesitate. “Xavier needs liquidity. Urgent.” It was a necessary lie.
If I could secure the money before the auction, I could replace the value Anna would bring.
I could eliminate Xavier’s financial reason to sell her.
There was a long exhale on the other end. “I’ll see what I can arrange,” the voice said finally.
“Do it fast.”
I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket.
For the first time in years— I was planning against my own boss.
And if Xavier found out? Looking death in the face wouldn’t save me.
But Anna wouldn’t be sold. Not if I had anything to do with it.