Chapter 75 On Edge
Lucas's POV
I stormed out of the safe house, sweat running down my neck despite the cool evening air.
What the hell had just happened?
My heart was still pounding as I replayed the conversation in my head.
I refused to believe it. Eve was many things. Annoying. Nosy. Jealous. But betraying me?
That didn't sound right. Unless there was something I didn't know.
I pulled out my phone immediately and dialed a number. The line connected on the second ring. "I need you to track someone."
The man on the other end didn't waste time. "Who?"
"Eve. Maid from Xavier's mansion."
There was a brief pause. "Give me five minutes."
I hung up. Five minutes felt like five years.
I got into my car and slammed the door shut.
My fingers drummed against the steering wheel.
Why would Eve betray me? Why would she betray Xavier? And more importantly... How the hell was I going to explain Anna's disappearance?
A cold feeling settled in my stomach. If
Xavier discovers all this, he would kill me.
No. I wasn't going to let it get that far. I would find Eve. Fix this mess before Xavier connected the dots.
My phone rang. I answered instantly. "We found her."
I sat upright. "Where?"
"Black SUV. Currently stationary." Relief flooded through me. Thank God. "Send me the address."
The text arrived seconds later. I started the engine and sped off.
The entire drive I kept imagining Anna inside that vehicle: Scared, confused. Maybe even hurt.
The thought alone made me grip the steering wheel harder.
Twenty minutes later I arrived. My relief vanished immediately. Something felt wrong.
The SUV was there. But the building was quiet.
I stepped out, pulled my gun. And moved toward the apartment slowly.
The place was empty; I searched the living room, kitchen, bedrooms. No signs of a struggle.
Then I noticed tire marks outside. Another vehicle had been here. Eve had switched cars.
"Damn it!" I immediately called the tracker again. "The SUV is here but she's gone."
"That's impossible. We have no record of another vehicle leaving."
"Well she didn't fly away."
The man didn't answer. Because he knew I was right. I ended the call.
Frustrated, I searched the apartment one more time. Still nothing.
Then my phone rang again. It was a call from a different number.
I answered. "Boss wants you at the mansion immediately."
My jaw tightened. Xavier. I looked around the empty apartment one last time.
Then another idea entered my mind. Finding Anna directly would attract attention. Too many people wanted her now.
Tracking Anna would alert every rival family watching. But Eve? Nobody cared about Eve.
Which made her the easier target. I quickly dialed another number.
A man answered. "I have a job for you."
"I'm listening, I hope it's good."
"Do whatever it takes, I'd pay you any amount," I assured.
He chuckled. "It sounds good, what do you want?"
"I'm sending you a picture."
"Okay."
"I want this woman found," I demanded.
"How urgent?"
"As urgent as breathing."
The man laughed. "I'll start immediately."
I hung up and sent Eve's photo. Then I got back into my car.
The drive to Xavier's mansion felt longer than usual. I felt really nervous about seeing him.
Not because I feared him. Because I feared what he might discover.
When I arrived, several guards were already waiting. One of them opened the door for me. "The boss is inside."
I nodded. Then walked in. Xavier was standing near the window. A glass of wine in his hand.
The moment he saw me, he spoke. "Where have you been?"
I had prepared the lie already. "Following a lead on Zack."
Xavier stared at me. His face unreadable. "Was the lead solid?"
"Not yet." I shrugged casually. " I am still investigating. I would let you know as soon as it clicks."
He nodded slowly. Then poured himself another glass. For a moment neither of us spoke.
Then Xavier said, "I went to Anna's room."
My stomach tightened. "I couldn't find her."
I kept my expression neutral. "Maybe she went out with Eve."
Xavier turned. His eyes fixed on mine. "Call Eve."
I forced a smile. "I'll do it once I get to my room."
"No." His voice was calm. "Do it now."
My pulse jumped. I slowly pulled out my phone.
I already knew the outcome. The call wouldn't connect.
I dialed anyway. The phone rang and then immediately failed exactly as expected.
Silence filled the room. I looked up.
Xavier's expression had changed. The warmth and amusement was gone, replaced by anger.
"If Eve's phone isn't connecting," Xavier said quietly, "there are only three possibilities."
He continued. "Either they've been kidnapped."
A pause. "Of they've been killed." Another pause. "Or they tried to run."
I swallowed. "I think they ran."
Xavier immediately shook his head. "No." The certainty in his voice surprised me. "Anna wouldn't run."
I frowned. "You seem sure."
"I am." He took another sip of wine. "She's smarter than that."
My chest tightened. He understood Anna far more than I wanted him to.
Xavier set the glass down. "Someone took her." His gaze hardened. "And Eve might have helped."
I was shocked. Not because of the conclusion. But because he reached it so quickly.
It took me hours. It took him seconds.
"I'll find them," I said.
But Xavier shook his head. "No."
I blinked. "What?"
"I have another job for you." Something about the way he said it made me uneasy.
Xavier walked closer. "I need you to oversee a new weapons deal."
I stared at him. "Boss, I think finding Anna should—"
"I'll find Anna myself."
My words died instantly.
Xavier smiled. A smile that never meant anything good. Then he said, "Don't worry, Lucas."
His eyes locked onto mine. "I've been preparing for a day like this."
A chill ran down my spine. I wondered if Xavier already knew far more than he was letting on.