Chapter 152 Strategy
Alex didn’t even hesitate. “No.”
Lucas sighed, already expecting that answer. “It’s been weeks. Nothing has happened.”
“That doesn’t mean nothing will,” Alex replied firmly, not comfortable with Lucas’s idea.
Lucas turned to face him, lowering his voice. “Honey, you said it yourself, they’re hiding. Who knows, maybe they’re gone.”
Alex’s jaw tightened. “Or maybe they’re waiting.”
There was. A little pause, then Lucas reached for his hand. “I’m fine. We are fine and will always be.”
Alex looked at him for a long moment, really looked at him.
Then exhaled. “One more week,” he said finally. “After the fourth week, I’ll pull them back.”
Lucas nodded. “Fine.” Then placed a light kiss on his lips. “I love you.”
“And I love you more, baby.” He captured his lips in a deeper kiss. How about some sugar, hmm?”
“My movie is still running, maybe…”
Alex cut his words short as his hand slipped down to his waistline then further until it gripped Lucas’s cocky.
“Ouh, Alex…” escaped Lucas's lips as he surrendered to the sensation, forgetting the running movie.
The fourth week came, and still nothing. No unwanted movement or suspicious danger. Not even a little sign.
And true to his word, Alex made the call. “Stand down,” he ordered his men. “Pull back, until further notice.”
One by one, the silent watch around Lucas disappeared.
For the first time in weeks. They were alone and free. Or so they thought.
From a few blocks to Alex and Lucas’s love nest, hidden where eyes rarely lingered, was Larissa. She lowered the binoculars slowly, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“Finally,” she murmured.
Beside her, Derby shifted, watching without seeing Alex’s men. “It did take you long enough Alex.”
“Not long,” Larissa corrected calmly. “But just enough.” Her gaze sharpened as she fixed it on the street in the distance.
“They needed to feel safe first.”
Derby smirked. “And now?”
Larissa’s smile deepened, cold and calculated. “Now,” she said softly, “We begin to plan anew.”
“Yeah, and this time,” she said, his tone hardening, resolve settling in. “We’re not backing off like cowards again.”
The air between them shifted tenser and sharper.
“I heard his old man is throwing a birthday party,” Larrisa continued, lowering her voice slightly, like even the walls shouldn’t hear it.
A small smirk tugged at Derby's lips. “Yeah, I heard about that too. Big one. But it’s strictly by invitation.”
“Good,” she replied without missing a beat. “That makes it easier to control who gets in… and who doesn’t.”
The other lady raised a brow. “So how do you plan on getting past that?”
She leaned in slightly, confidence lacing his voice. “My dad got an invite. He won’t be around that day.”
Realization flickered across the other lady’s face. “Oh So you’ll use his.”
A slow nod. “And you?” she added, eyes narrowing with intent. “You’re coming with me.”
Larrisa let out a low chuckle. “Breaking into a high-profile party? Sounds like trouble.”
“It is,” she agreed, a faint, dangerous smile forming. “But it’s the kind we need.”
A brief pause. Then, more quietly and calculatedly, she said, “We’ll find a way to get you inside. But the question now is who are we attacking and how?”
Meanwhile, the head branch of Kornelly Hotel was nothing like the others. Everything about it spoke power, polished floors that reflected light like glass. The staff moved with quiet precision, and an atmosphere that demanded excellence without saying a word.
Nathan fit in almost too easily.
Within days of his transfer, he had learned the rhythm of the place. Within a week, he had become part of it.
And then, that day he was asked to personally prepare a dish and serve someone special. He didn't know why but he obeyed.
He was coming out with the dish when he nearly bumped into a staff member.
“Careful.”
A hand steadied the tray just before it tipped.
Nathan looked up.
The man standing in front of him was dressed too well to be an ordinary person. A tailored suit, confident stance, and a gaze that lingered just a second longer than necessary.
“Thanks,” Nathan said, straightening and then heading to the table. It was empty but before he could ask about the occupant of the seat. He talked behind him.
“That's my table.” The man smiled. “You’re new.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Only because I would’ve remembered you.”
Nathan let out a small laugh, but something about the way the man said it made him pause.
“I’m Dave,” he added, extending his hand. “Dave Peters.”
Nathan hesitated briefly before shaking it. “Nathan.”
I might be meeting you for the first time, Nathan. Don't mind me but I will tell you how I feel.”
Nathan thought it was about the food but when he said, “Nathan, I like you. I'm single and would like to date you. Please do think about it.”
Nathan stuttered, “I…I’m sorry sir but…”
“Nathan,” Dave cut him short. “I'm that old and ugly?”
“Oh no sir, you're fucking handsome, it's just that…”
“Then sleep over it, I really like you, Nathan.” He cut in again.
Dave didn’t let go immediately.
And just like that, it started.
At first, it was casual.
Running into each other as Dave purposely planned. Brief conversations that stretched longer each time. Compliments that felt a little too intentional to be random.
Then it became obvious that Dave was chasing him really hard.
Flowers showed up once. Then again, messages, dinner invitations. That same unwavering attention that never seemed to falter.
Nathan resisted, at least, he tried to. But two weeks of persistence… of being seen… of being wanted without hesitation, wore him down.
“Alright,” Nathan finally said one evening, exhaling like he was giving up a fight he wasn’t sure he wanted to win. “You win.”
Dave’s grin was instant. “I was always going to.”
Nathan rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. And just like that, he let himself move on. Or so he thought. Because even as he stepped into something new, he didn’t completely forget who mattered once Lucas.
They still talked. Not as often, but enough. Enough to remind him that some connections didn’t just disappear.
“Two days from now,” Dave said, lounging comfortably beside Nathan, “I’ve got a birthday to attend.”
Nathan glanced at him. “Yours?”
Dave chuckled. “Not yet. But soon.” He nudged Nathan lightly. “This one’s important. Big crowd. Influential people and I need to make a business proposal to someone.”
Nathan raised a brow. “And you’re telling me because…?”
“Because,” Dave said, turning to face him fully, eyes softening just a little, “I want you to come with me.”
Nathan blinked.
“Me?” he asked, a hint of surprise slipping through.
“Yeah. You, my sweetness.”
There was no hesitation or doubt in Dave’s tone but certainty.
Nathan studied him for a moment, then smiled. “Alright,” he said easily. “I’ll come.”
Dave’s expression lit up instantly. “Good. You won’t regret it.”
Later that night, alone, Nathan sat on his bed, phone in hand.
His thumb hovered over Lucas’s contact for a second before he finally tapped it.
A small smile crept onto his lips.
A party with a big crowd.
If luck was on his side, he might finally see Lucas again. Just maybe
Things would feel a little familiar again, even if everything else had changed.