Chapter 53 Source
Zack’s POV
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my beard slowly, turning my head from side to side like I had all the time in the world.
A faint smirk crept up my lips as I thought of Xavier.
I let out a low chuckle. “I played you,” I muttered under my breath. "Played you like a child, made you look like a fool."
The memory of it replayed clean in my head—how I slipped out before he arrived, how everything unfolded exactly the way I wanted.
Still… My smile faded just a little. Maybe I should have stayed. Maybe I should have faced him head-on and ended it right there.
My jaw tightened slightly.
No. Not yet. Killing Xavier wasn’t something I would rush. That man… deserved something slower. Something unforgettable.
The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor pulled my attention.
I didn’t turn, I didn’t need to, I saw her through the mirror. One of my escorts, pretty and sexy, exactly the way I like them to be.
She stopped a few steps behind me, half dressed, almost bored. I knew what she wanted, but I was preoccupied with the thoughts of Xavier to care.
I frowned slightly. “What is it?” I asked.
“My lord,” she said softly, “your men are back from the raid, they're currently in the living room. They wish to see you.”
My fingers paused on my beard. “How many of them?” I asked.
A brief silence. “Just two. Although they looked like they saw death on their way here."
I exhaled slowly. “Go to the room,” I told her. “Wait for me there, I'd join you shortly."
She nodded and turned without another word.
Good. At least someone here knew how to follow instructions without disappointing me.
I adjusted my cufflinks and stepped away from the mirror, heading toward the living room.
They were already there. Standing and looking nervous as fuck.
The moment they saw me, they straightened. “Boss,” they greeted. "We bring news."
I gestured lazily toward the seats. “Sit down first."
They didn’t argue. Didn’t hesitate. They sat like men awaiting judgment.
I remained standing for a second, watching them. Studying them.
Then I sat opposite them. “What happened?” I asked.
One of them cleared his throat. “Xavier attacked… just as we were told he would.”
I nodded once. “I knew he would, my source is always accurate. Go on.”
“He… he killed the others,” the second one added quickly. “We barely made it out."
Silence. I leaned back slowly, crossing one leg over the other. “So,” I said calmly, “none of you could manage to kill him?”
They froze.
“You knew he was coming,” I continued, my voice dropping slightly. “You prepared. And yet… he’s still breathing and you.... almost dead."
Their eyes widened with fear.
They dropped to their knees almost instantly. “Boss, please—”
“Spare us—”
“Give us another chance—”
I watched them quietly. I wasn't in the mood to kill them, I wanted someone else dead.
Then I sighed. “Get up.”
They hesitated, obviously confused.
I tilted my head slightly. “Before I change my mind.”
That did it. They scrambled to their feet immediately. “Thank you, boss—thank you—”
“Get out of my sight," I ordered.
They didn’t wait. Didn’t look back. They left like men who had just escaped death.
I shook my head once. Part of me had wished Xavier died inn that building, another part of me wanted him alive long enough to kill him myself.
But I had other matters bothering me, I knew the government were onto me, and if I move carelessly, they would get to me first. An unfair advantage to Xavier.
My phone's ringing tone cut through the night like a blade.
I glanced at the screen, irritated at the disturbance, but it quickly faded into a smile when I saw who was calling.
"Now this was interesting," I muttered and picked up. “What news do you have for me this time?” I said.
The voice on the other end was calm. “ A new development, one I didn't share earlier. Xavier plans to marry Anna.”
My smile faded. My brows pulled together slightly. “Marry?” I repeated.
That caught me off guard. “What is it about that girl…” I murmured, more to myself than to the caller.
Even Xavier wasn’t letting her go? That wasn’t normal. Nothing about that man screamed commitment.
The voice continued. “According to you… she was the one who shot you.”
My hand instinctively brushed my shoulder.
The wound, still healing. “Yes,” I said quietly. “She was.”
A pause. “I would have died.” And I meant that. No one has been able to shoot me successfully like her.
That girl— She didn’t hesitate. Pulled the trigger like she was born for it.
The voice spoke again. “Do you want her dead? I can make it happen.”
I leaned back slowly, thinking. Do I? The logical answer was yes. She was a threat. A dangerous one.
But… I smirked slightly. “No.” The word came out before I even fully thought it through. “Not yet.”
There was something about her. Killing her now would be… Wasteful. “But Xavier,” I added, my voice turning colder, “I want him dead.”
No hesitation there. The voice responded immediately. “Give the order. It will be done.”
I chuckled. “You think I don’t know your value?”
Silence on the other end.
“Trying to kill him would be very risky. You are more useful to me as a spy than an assassin,” I continued. “Do not attempt to kill Xavier.” A pause. “Leave that to me.”
“Understood, boss.”
“When is the wedding?” I asked.
“He hasn’t announced it yet.”
I nodded slowly. “Find out.”
“Yes, boss.”
Because the moment that date was set…
My lips curved into a dangerous smile. That would be the perfect stage. “On his wedding day,” I said slowly, “we strike him hard."
I could already picture it. A celebration turned into a massacre. “Xavier dies that day.”
A pause. “And Lucas,” I added, my tone colder now, “I won’t kill Xavier and leave his brother breathing.”
“Understood.” The line went dead. I lowered the phone slowly.
Silence filled the room again. Then I exhaled and rolled my neck slightly. “Enough of Xavier,” I muttered.
Tonight… I needed distraction. I turned toward the hallway, a faint smirk returning to my lips.
Time to remind myself that not everything in this world required strategy.
Some things… Were just meant to be enjoyed. And right now— That was exactly what I intended to do, fuck a pretty bitch.