Chapter 19 Nineteen
Elara's POV
I sat up, my fingers drumming the edge of the table in sync with my thoughts.
What exactly does Luca have to offer me that made him set up their room like we were going to have a date?
“Why do I have this feeling you are messing with me Lucas? I am a busy woman with a lot on her plate. I said, my voice sharp.
Luca chuckled. He leaned back into his seat, sipping from his grape wine like he didn't care about nothing in the world.
“You are always in a haste. And why would you think I am messing with you, Elara?”
I scoffed, my gaze unrelenting. “Because you always do. You have your pride to feed as always.”
He rested his elbows on the table, eyes still locked on mine. “ You need to take a chill pill, Elara. I come here in peace and with a solid offer.”
I crossed my arms, still not impressed despite the fact that I could tell from Lucas body language that he was trying to impress me.“
“Let my time with you be worth it, Blackwood. You already wasted my time.” I warned sternly.
He smiled at me. His aura cool and calm. “Trust me, Elara. I have something that would spice you up.”
“But what I don't understand is why you want to badly impress me with a deal? What did we even meet in the first place? Are you scared that you might be the next after the Kordova’s? Is that your fear?”.
Lucas's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement.
“What makes you think I'm here because I'm scared, Elara?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.
“How am I supposed to know that?” I quiried. “I am not a mind-reader.”
"Well Elara, I am here because I see potential in you, and I believe we can help each other." He leaned forward, his gaze intense.
“Oh!.” I bursted into a hilarious laughter that died down longer than it should.
“So now I have potential? Now you see potential? You amaze me so much. The girl you rejected. Breaking her tender heart into pieces is now someone you think has great potential. Relay…!?.”
“I have a proposal that could benefit us both, Elara and I'm willing to share the details if you're willing to listen.
“You are scared. I can feel it in my bones.” I insisted , probing further with the aim of annoying Lucas the more.
Lucas’s smile didn’t fade. He leaned forward the more he wanted to access every detail on my face. His voice dropped a little. “I’m not scared, Elara. In fact I am smart. Smart enough to know when there is a shift. There’s a difference.”
“A shift of what? Come on, Luca. You of all people should know that I know you too well to be sure of what I am saying.”
Lucas leaned away into his seat “Like is said earlier. There is a big difference.”
I raised a brow. “Smart or scared… I can’t tell the difference.”
He chuckled lightly. “ You and I know that the looting would result in Kordova's downfall and that is going to wish the whole city. Alliances are breaking rapidly. None knows what the future holds. I am offering you immunity. Everyone is looking out for themselves but I want to look out for you out of the goodness of my heart.”
“Immunity?”.
“Yes I want us to work together.” He reaffirmed, his voice laced with conviction.
“So you want us to team up?” I asked, my tone cold.
“Exactly,” he nodded. We need to team up. I want us to be allies. To be two strong forces working together to achieve a common goal. You win. I won.”
I sipped my wine slowly. “I don’t trust you, Lucas.” I uttered blandly.
“You don’t have to. Just trust the deal.”
I rose to my feet, tightening my grip around my purse.
“Here's something you need to know, Lucas. I don't need your help. Your so-called immunity. Your protection. I don't want to be allies with you. My group is strong enough to protect itself. We have the weapons and manpower to do so. And even if we should need assistance or alliance, it definitely won't be from your pack “
Lucas stood up as well, his face still calm but his jaw clenched a little. Anger flickered in his eyes for a moment. “You are making a huge mistake, Elara,” he said firmly. “You might think you don’t need me or my help but when everything turns upside down, you’ll see things differently. I am here offering you salvation.”
I grabbed my coat, not paying heed to his empty warnings. “Save your sermon, Lucas. My syndicate group is fine and besides we will survive just fine without you, Blackwood. My people are loyal and well prepared.” I snorted, having a sudden surge of emotion to punch his face.
His smile dropped a little. “This isn't just about you, Elara. Don't let your pride get in your way. I’m giving you a chance to be ahead. I am offering you a free ticket to immunity.”
I turned to leave. “I don’t need your chance. Save it for someone desperate enough to beg for it. Since when did you even care?.”
Lucas stepped closer, his tall figure overshadowing me in a way that felt insulting.
His breath brushed against my cheek, warm but irritating. “You need to open your eyes and think this through. This is not about your pride. This is about survival. For both of us.”
I could hear my own pulse pounding in my ears. My fingers clenched tightly into a fists. My nails digging into my palms. “What makes you think I need saving? And from who exactly ? You? You are the last person I would ever run to even if I needed help.”
His jaw tightened in anger but he persisted. “I’m offering you power and protection. You are smarter than this Elara.”
I cut him off sharply, my voice loud. “I don’t want anything from you, Luca. Don't you get it? I am sick of their conversation. It's making me sick. Do you think dressing in this room like it's our date spot will make me change my mind or lower my guard? My standards are high. I am not that wobbly girl anymore.”
Lucas’s hand reached for my arm, his fingers wrapping around my wrist firmly. His sudden touch sent anger shooting through my skin like acid.
“You are being stubborn, Elara.”
I jerked my hand free from his grip and my eyes became red. My voice is rising. “Don’t you dare touch me!”
I stormed toward the door, my heels making sharp clicks on the floor. I didn't look back, even when I heard his last attempt at persuasion.
“You are going to regret walking away from me.”
I slammed the door shut with a loud bang, exhaling my frustrations.