Chapter 40 Covered in Blood
Anna's POV
I followed Lucas to the car. We didn’t speak. Not a single word.
Lucas started the engine and drove off, his jaw tight, his grip on the steering wheel firmer than usual.
I could tell something was bothering him, but I didn’t push. My own thoughts were already loud enough.
The drive felt longer than it should have. When we finally arrived, the first thing I noticed wasn’t Xavier. It was the bodies.
My breath caught.
They were everywhere. Scattered around the building like broken pieces of something that used to be whole. Blood stained the ground, the walls, even parts of the entrance door.
For a split second, my instincts kicked in.
My eyes moved quickly, scanning the area— Then I saw Xavier, standing in the middle of it all. Covered in blood.
My heart slammed hard against my chest.
Lucas stopped the car abruptly and we both stepped out at the same time, moving quickly toward him.
“Xavier—” Lucas started.
But Xavier looked… calm.
His eyes flicked to us, and I saw something close to surprise on his face. “What are you doing here?” he said.
Lucas frowned. “We heard you were attacked.”
Xavier let out a low chuckle. “Attacked?” he repeated, amused. Then he shook his head. “I wasn’t attacked,” he said simply. “I was the one doing the attacking.”
I paused. My eyes drifted back to the bodies.
Then to the blood on him. It wasn’t his. Of course it wasn’t.
Xavier followed my gaze, then smirked faintly, like he already knew what I was thinking. “The men on duty,” he said. “They let Zack walk into my business like he owned the place.”
His voice dropped. “So I dealt with them.”
Lucas exhaled slowly. “We can reschedule the auction. Fix another date—”
“No.” Xavier cut him off sharply. His eyes moved to me. “I’m no longer interested in getting rid of her.”
My stomach tightened slightly. Lucas went quiet.
Xavier continued, his tone shifting into something colder. “Right now… I’m more interested in Zack’s territory.”
Lucas frowned immediately. “You can’t start a war.”
Xavier’s lips curved. “A war?” he repeated. “Lucas… the war has already started.”
Lucas tried again. “We don’t have to fight him directly. The government is already after Zack. He’s wanted—”
“I don’t care what the government wants,” Xavier snapped. His eyes darkened. “I want Zack dead.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“And I’ll be the one to kill him.” Then suddenly, his gaze shifted back to me. “And you…” he said.
My heart skipped.
“I’ve decided your fate.”
I swallowed. “You already told me last night,” I said carefully.
Xavier shook his head slowly. “I didn’t tell you everything I plan to do with you.”
My pulse quickened.
Then he turned to Lucas like I wasn’t even there.
“Take her shopping,” he said. “We’re having a party tonight.”
Lucas raised a brow slightly. “A party?”
Xavier smirked faintly. “I’ll announce what I plan to do with her then.”
My chest tightened. A public announcement? That couldn’t be good.
Lucas nodded. “Yes, boss.” Then he gestured for me to follow.
I didn’t move immediately. My eyes stayed on Xavier.
There was something about the way he stood there… covered in blood, completely unfazed… like chaos itself answered to him.
Then he met my gaze. And for a second, something passed between us. Something I couldn’t explain.
I broke eye contact first. And followed Lucas back to the car.
The drive was quiet again. But this time, it felt heavier like something was building.
Lucas finally broke the silence. “This is my fault.”
I turned to look at him. “What?”
He exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “I shouldn’t have taken you there… to Zack’s territory.”
I frowned. “It wasn’t your fault.”
He didn’t look convinced. “I should’ve known better.”
“No,” I said firmly. “I’m the one who didn’t listen.”
He glanced at me briefly, then back at the road.
“You didn’t see Xavier’s eyes,” he muttered. "He blames me for everything, even though he hasn't said anything about it yet."
“It doesn’t matter who he blames,” I said after a moment. “We’re alive. That’s what matters.”
Lucas nodded slowly. “Yeah…”
Then after a pause, I asked, “What kind of party is he throwing tonight?”
Lucas hesitated. Then he said it. “A sex orgy party.”
I blinked. My brain lagged behind my ears. “What?”
He glanced at me briefly. “You heard me.”
My eyes widened. “I don’t even know what that looks like.”
Lucas gave a small, humorless smile. “You will find out soon enough.”
That didn’t sound comforting at all.
We pulled into a shopping mall shortly after.
Lucas parked and turned to me. “Come on,” he said. “You’ll need something appropriate.”
Appropriate? For that kind of party?
We stepped out and went inside. The place was massive.
Too normal compared to the madness we had just left behind.
Lucas didn’t give me time to think. He led me from one store to another, picking out clothes—expensive ones. Dresses, heels, accessories.
Everything screamed luxury. “Lucas, this is too much,” I said at some point.
He didn’t listen. “Try it,” he insisted.
I did. Piece after piece. By the time we were done, the total was ridiculous.
Over two million dollars.
I stared at the bags. Then at him. “You’re insane.”
He just shrugged. “You’ll need it.”
We got back to the car. But this time, Lucas didn’t start the engine. He just sat there.
I turned to him slowly. “What?”
He looked at me. “Do you hate me?” he asked.
The question caught me off guard. “What? No, why would I hate you?”
He held my gaze. “Then you must like me.”
I didn’t answer. Because I didn’t know how to.
And he saw that. A flicker of something crossed his eyes.
Then suddenly— He leaned in and kissed me.
My body stiffened for a split second. Then something inside me responded, just slightly.