Chapter 29 The Mission
Anna’s POV
Lucas stiffened. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Anna might die in the process.”
Xavier’s gaze shifted to him slowly. “And why,” he asked calmly, “is Anna’s life important to you?”
The air thickened. Lucas hesitated. For a second too long.
“Her life isn’t important to me,” he said finally. “But you won’t be able to profit from her if she’s dead.”
I felt the sting of those words even though I understood the necessity behind them.
Xavier studied him. “Good point,” he said lightly. “But I’d still use her as bait.”
My stomach tightened.
He turned to me. “Eat. Get prepared. We’re going out for some fun today.”
Fun. I swallowed but said nothing.
He stepped closer and tilted my chin upward slightly. “Don’t be scared,” he murmured. “You’ve survived this far. You can handle this.”
I forced a small smile.
His eyes flicked briefly to Lucas before he left the room. The moment he was gone, Lucas exhaled sharply.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean what I said.”
“It’s fine,” I replied softly. “I understand.”
I held his gaze for a second, then added, “If you don’t mind… I’d like to be alone. I need to shower and get dressed before facing whatever it is he has planned.”
Lucas nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. Nothing will happen to you.”
I gave him a faint smile. “I know.”
I opened the door for him. He hesitated for a moment. Then he left.
The second the door closed, I exhaled deeply.
Relief. I moved quickly to where I had hidden my phone and pulled it out.
I dialed Serena. She picked up almost instantly.
“I have a new lead,” I said. “Actually… I have everything.”
I told her about Zack killing Sam and Patrick. About Xavier discovering it. And about his plan to use me as bait.
There was silence on the line for a moment. “I’m not sure we can intercept without blowing your cover,” Serena said carefully.
“I know,” I replied. “But I can communicate. Get a visual on Zack. If I can’t eliminate him, at least we’ll have something solid.”
A pause. “Alright,” she said. “Be careful.”
“Roger that.” I hung up.
Showered quickly. Dressed simply but strategically, fitted black pants, boots, and a sleeveless top. I tied my hair into a tight ponytail.
When I finished breakfast, I felt something unexpected. Excitement.
This wasn’t just Xavier’s game. It was mine too.
I stepped outside and asked one of the guards where Xavier was. “In his office.”
I walked there myself. He looked up when I entered.
His eyes briefly scanned me, pausing at the ponytail. “I’m impressed,” he said. “You learn fast.”
“I’m ready,” I said. “What’s my part?”
He leaned back slightly. “Your part?”
“Yes. What do you want me to do?”
A slow smile curved his lips. “I don’t want you to do anything,” he said. “Just be a good girl.”
Lucas entered with a few men behind him.
Xavier stood. “The plan is simple,” he began. “Two vans. One carrying drugs. The other carrying Anna.”
My pulse steadied.
“We leak the information to Zack’s clan. They raid it. The drugs and Anna will be bugged. We trace them to Zack’s domain.”
Lucas frowned. “So you’re allowing Zack’s men to take her?”
“Not exactly,” Xavier replied. “We’ll make it look like a hot pursuit. Anything to force Zack to expose himself or compromise his location.”
Lucas nodded slowly. “I’ll be in charge of the rescue team in case things go south.”
“No,” Xavier said flatly. Lucas stiffened.
“You won’t be in charge of anything,” Xavier continued. “You’ll stay here and flush out the spy.”
A heavy silence followed.
Lucas swallowed. “Yes, boss.”
“Good,” Xavier said. Then he turned to me. “Come with me.”
I shot Lucas a brief look before following Xavier outside. The vans were parked in the courtyard.
He opened the first one. Stacks of packaged drugs.
He nodded in satisfaction. Then he opened the second van. It was empty.
He stepped closer to me and adjusted something in my ponytail.
I felt his fingers linger briefly as he planted a tiny bug inside the hair tie. “Swallow this,” he said, handing me a pill.
I didn’t question it. I swallowed.
He studied me carefully. “You’re unusually calm.”
I met his gaze. “Because I know you’ll rescue me.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“I’m confident,” I continued softly, “you won’t let anything happen to me. Not after the stunt you pulled killing Marco.”
He tilted his head. “You think you can predict me?”
I didn’t answer. Instead, I held his gaze.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin. “Let’s play a game,” he said casually.
He placed the coin in my palm. “Flip it. Heads, I save you. Tails… you die.”
My throat went dry. He was smiling. But there was no warmth in it.
I swallowed and flipped the coin into the air.
It spun and fell.
Landed in my hand. I looked down at it and saw
a Tail.
A slow smile spread across his face.
He stepped forward and pulled me into a hug.
It was firm and tight.
His lips brushed against my neck. “May your soul rest in peace,” he murmured.
Then he suddenly shoved me backward into the van. The metal floor was cold against my hands.
Before I could react, the doors slammed shut.
Locked. Darkness swallowed me.
My heart began pounding violently. Was he serious? Was this another test?
Or had I just gambled my life on a coin toss, and lost?