Chapter 156: Chapter One And Hundred Fifty Six

Lucian's Pov

The message from DeLuna had come through as clear as the summer sky. She wanted every piece of my land, businesses, and every ounce of my power. All in exchange for Naomi.

We were scheduled to meet tomorrow at Lakeside View.

The weight of the demand pressed heavily against my chest as I glared at the note she'd sent. Laced with something sinister. I could practically hear the humor in her tone as I read her words.

Travis paced the room, furrowing his brow. "Lucian, are you sure she is going to keep her word?" There was an edge of doubt in his voice.

I let my breath out explosively. "DeLuna's not to be trusted." My fingers had curled around the phone, crushing it. "But we have no choice. Naomi's life depends on it."

Travis came to a stop, his eyes turning dark. "And if she doesn't play her part?"

"Then I'll make sure she will regret ever having played this game."

A silence stretched between us.

The past few days had been chaos: Naomi was missing, and it had left a hollowness inside that I hated. She had been taken right under my nose, and I hadn't been able to do a thing to stop it.

I wouldn't let that happen again.

We had already secured the slave girls, sending them to one of our factories for protection. It was the least we could do for Naomi.

Travis rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh, about that… I." He paused then nodded. "Well, that's good."

I went back to my desk, drawing out piles of documents, the properties, the assets, all DeLuna had asked for. My empire was spread open on parchment. Even the thought of it leaving my hands made my blood boil, yet there wasn't any alternative to this.

Travis and I got it all together, making sure nothing was left behind. When it was ready, I breathed out, pushing the papers away.

I leaned back. "It's done."

Travis nodded but didn't look convinced. "This feels wrong."

I knew what he meant.

Emma burst into the room, her pale face etched with worry. "I'm coming with you," she stated.

"No." My answer was instant.

"Master"

"No, Emma," I repeated firmly. It's too dangerous. I need you to stay back and hold things down here.

She had the 'I don't want to' look all over her face, but finally, she blew a sigh and stepped back.

"Be careful," she grumbled.

I nodded, then turned to Travis. "Let's go."

...

We arrived at Lakeside View, and my gut twisted the moment I saw the setup.

The moonlight filtered in through the cracked windows of that abandoned building, casting an eerie glow across the walls. Damp wood and blood scented the air. A sense of foreboding settled over me as I stepped inside.

My eyes scanned the room, looking to see any faces I knew well. Alexander. Bane. Aaron. They stood opposite sides, tense.

I had been set up.

Then I saw her.

Naomi.

She was in the center of the room, bound, her wrists tied to thick iron chains that stretched to either side of the room. Making her look more fragile than I had ever seen her.

Something inside me twisted painfully.

Was she hurt?

Was she in on this?

DeLuna's voice cut through the air, smooth and taunting.

"Welcome, gentlemen." She stepped forward, her presence commanding. "I hope you're all ready for a little fun."

Fun?

I clenched my jaw.

She gestured toward Naomi. Since so many of you seem to want her, I decided to make things interesting. Whoever wins the fight gets to take her.

A sickly feeling formed in the pit of my stomach.

She was using Naomi as a prize.

Travis stiffened beside me. "This is insane."

DeLuna smiled. "Oh, Lucian, you should know by now, I love a good game."

With the tension of the room now heated up.

Alexander moved first. His gun was drawn before anyone could react.

Bang.

A single shot.

Aaron stumbled back, blood spreading across his shirt.

Then chaos.

Then again, another gun shot, and Bane was down also.

Bane's men and Aaron's men lunged for Alexander, fists flying, gunfire erupting. The room was a battlefield in a heartbeat.

I didn't waste a second.

"Travis, get the car started!" I barked.

He nodded, already moving.

I sprang forward, my heart racing. Naomi's eyes widened as she saw me.

I grasped her shoulders. "We're getting out of here."

She gave a weak nod, her breathing shaky.

I tore the ropes from her wrists, ignoring the sting in my palms as they burned against the rough fabric.

Another gunshot rang out, but I didn't stop.

Move! I said to her, clamping down on her arm as we sprinted for the door.

Behind us, DeLuna's voice was ringing out, amusement dripping from every word.

"This isn't over, Lucian!"

I didn't look back.

We reached the car and Travis flung open the door. Naomi dived inside, breathless, and I slid in beside her.

The second the doors were shut, Travis floored it.

The night was a blur around us, the city lights flickering as we sped away from that nightmare.

My hands clenched into fists.

My mind replayed the moment over and over. DeLuna's smug expression, Naomi's silent pain, Alexander's cold efficiency.

And then, something else.

Just before we left, I had seen DeLuna turn toward Alexander.

Her hand had lifted, fingers moving in a whisper of motion.

And then—

She had driven a spine into his chest.

Over and over.

I had watched Alexander's body jerk, his eyes widening as pain overtook him.

A part of me should have felt something.

Pity. Relief. Satisfaction.

But I didn't.

Because I hadn't been the one to do it.

"I do wish I was the one who killed him," I murmured, my voice low.

Naomi flinched beside me.

I turned my gaze to her, studying her face in the dim glow of the streetlights.

Her lips were pressed together, her hands clenched tightly on her thigh.

"Answer me, Naomi." My voice came out sharper than I intended. "Are you part of their game?"

She turned to me, eyes wide.

And for a moment, I wasn't so sure I wanted to hear the answer.