Lucian’s POV


    “Thank you for tonight,” she said sweetly, her messy hair adding to her already captivating beauty. A contented expression illuminated her face, resembling a wolf that sessfully hunted. Well, she had just fulfilled her wish to hunt again.


    “Anything for you,” I replied sincerely, eliciting a smile from her. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, fueling my desire to witness that look indefinitely. Oh, how I long to forever immerse myself in its glorious brilliance.


    Seated together in my parked car, just outside her residence, she struggled to release her seatbelt. Out of instinct, I offered my assistance, a wrong decision, truthfully, as it brought our faces inches away from each other. The scent of her essence permeated the air, causing my heart to pound resoundingly in my ears. My gaze fixated on her lips-plump and rosy, yearning to be kissed. She returned my gaze, and slowly, I leaned in.


    As our lips connected, I closed my eyes, a surge of electric sensations coursing through my veins. The kiss was tender and toe-curling, an irresistible taste that bypassed rational thought. Impulsively, I delved deeper, slipping my tongue into her mouth, to which she responded by gently sucking on it.


    My body radiated with intense heat, each kiss growing more greedy and yearning for further exploration. Against my will, I reluctantly withdrew, still dazed by the experience. She looked at me with a lost expression, and I took a deep breath. Damn! I was as hard as a rock.


    “I have to go,” she announced, opening the car door alone. I observed as she crossed the street, waving at me briefly before disappearing behind the gate.


    Frustration rushed through me,pelling me to strike the steering wheel. I didn’t want to overwhelm her. I had already done so on the night of our first encounter. It hadn’t ended well. I longed for a slower, more deliberate approach, yearning to reveal my sincerity.


    After seeing her safely home, I returned to the dull hotel where I temporarily lived. The hard mattress provided nofort for my tired back.


    I opened myptop, tending to my work even in this distant location. Mypany depended on me and my team. Mamà, always the worrier, threatened me to set our house on fire if I didn’t return soon. She tended to be exaggerated often.


    I begged her for additional time. If I were to return, I desired to bring Cercei and her mother under my protection. s, they were likely to decline such an offer, too proud to ept help from anyone other than their own kin. Furthermore, I still needed to earn Cercei’splete trust.


    ****


    “The usual order,” I winked at her, stimting an eye roll as she made her way to the kitchen to fulfil my request. A smile crept across my face; her spirited nature had an undeniable charm.


    Scanning the café, I noticed three men scattered throughout the room. Despite their civilian attire, their quirks were difficult to conceal. I didn’t need to gaze directly at them to know their eyes were fixed on me. My fists clenched in response-well, it seemed I had been found. Congrattions, Lord Remus.


    As Cercei approached, delivering my order, the men’s attention shifted to her.


    “Here, we ran out of the chocte sprinkles you enjoy. I hope you don’t mind the rainbow ones,” she spoke, yet my gaze remained fixed on the men, who were engaged inmunication through discreet earbud devices. My eyes narrowed in suspicion.


    “Although I can cover the sprinkles with chocte syrup to make them appear brown, in case you’re ufortable with the colours. Some men feel ufortable as they think it refers to gay, but you shouldn’t. I think you exude masculinity,” she continued speaking in front of me. These men were likely armed, and I couldn’t afford to take any risks.


    “Are you listening?” She snapped her fingers, redirecting my attention back to her.


    “Do rainbow sprinkles make you feel like gay?” she asked, repeating her previous remark. My brows furrowed in confusion.


    “What?” What on earth was she talking about?


    “I…” she began to talk.


    Before she could finish her words, I interjected abruptly, “I have to go. I’ll be backter. Stay here, don’t leave,” I said, rising from my seat and swiftly making my way out of the establishment. The three men trailed behind me. I couldn’t allow their attention to shift towards Cercei. I simply couldn’t take that risk. I led them to a secluded corner of the city, void of cameras and people.


    “So, you’ve found me, huh?” I turned around to face them, a smirk forming on my lips. One of them revealed his firearm, pointing it menacingly in my direction. What a bunch of fools.


    “The boss says we can’t kill him,” one of his aplices spoke up.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    “Oh, please, be my guest,” I taunted, extending my arms in a challenging gesture. The man seemed provoked by my words and pulled the trigger. With expert precision, I evaded the bullets as they seemed to glide towards me in slow motion, my eyes keenly tracking their rotation. The remaining two menunched an attack. Both of them were towering figures capable of passing for giants.


    “The boss says we can’t kill you, but he didn’t say we can’t hurt you,” another henchman dered, punctuating his words with a forceful punch.


    “Trying to take me down, huh?” I tilted my head, swiftly hindering him with a well-ced blow. I subdued all three enemies one by one, though not without sustaining my own injuries. Spitting blood onto the ground, I acknowledged Remus for sending his most challenging men.


    Picking up my phone, which had fallen during the intense fight, I dialed Frank’s number.


    “Sire,” Frank’s voice echoed on the other end.


    “What the fuck, Frank,” I greeted him, seething angrily.


    “I thought you had thrown them off our trail. They found us. I just took down three of Remus’ dangerous henchmen,” I informed him, frustration evident in my voice.


    “Congrattions,” he replied grimly.


    “Lord Remus has a vastwork of henchmen. Only a fraction were misled. It’s no longer safe for you to remain there,” he cautioned, his words carrying weight. He was right. We couldn’t deceive all of Remus’ men forever. Sooner orter, he would track us down.


    “I need a little more time,” I retorted, wiping the blood from the corner of my mouth. How the hell would I convince Cercei toe with me?


    “We can’t afford to dy any further. Take her with you as soon as possible,” Frank urged, his tone urgent. I let out a heavy sigh, realising the gravity of the situation.


    “Prepare the house for our guests, including my mother. I’ll return as swiftly as I can,” I instructed before ending the call.


    Turning my gaze to the three unconscious figures, I mercilessly snapped their necks one by one. Summoning my men to dispose of all the dead bodies, I knew Remus would undoubtedly send reinforcements once he realised his tough giants had gone missing.


    It was only a matter of time before he dispatched his men to forcefully retrieve Cercei and her mother, dragging them back to his mansion. Over my dead body, would I allow that to happen? However, knowing Cercei’s stubborn nature, she wouldn’t willinglye with me. If I had to resort to kidnapping to ensure her safety, then so be it.


    I’m sorry, but your safety is more important than yourints.


    I guess time is up. Too bad, I was kinda enjoying our little dates.