Lucian

I sat in the diner for another ten minutes after Lexi left, staring at her half-eaten pancakes and trying to figure out how one small woman could turn my perfectly ordered life upside down.

The waitress, a middle-aged woman with tired eyes and coffee stains on her apron, approached my table. “You gonna order something, honey, or just sit there looking like someone stole your puppy?”

“Just coffee,” I muttered, pulling out my wallet.

She poured me a cup of what looked like motor oil. “That your girlfriend who ran off?”

I nearly choked on the bitter liquid. “She's not my girlfriend.”

“Uh-huh.” The waitress gave me a knowing look. “And I'm the Queen of England.” She mocked. “You got that same look my husband gets when I'm being stubborn.”

“She's…” I paused, not sure how to explain what Lexi was to me. “Complicated.”

“The good ones usually are.” She refilled my cup without asking. “You know what your problem is?”

I raised an eyebrow. Great. Relationship advice from a diner waitress. “Enlighten me.”

“You're trying to protect her by pushing her away. But that girl? She doesn't want protection. She wants partnership.”

I stared at the woman. How the hell did a stranger see what I'd been too blind to notice?

“That'll be twelve fifty for her meal and your coffee, she said, tearing off the check.

I left a hundred-dollar bill on the table and walked out without waiting for change.

Back in my car, I called Marcus.

“Sir?” His voice was cautious.

“Status report.” I demanded.

“Miss Lexi is safe at her friend's apartment. I've got eyes on the building.”

“Good. Stay close but don't interfere unless there's immediate danger.”

“Yes, sir. And sir?”

“What?”

“She's... she's special, isn't she?” He whispered.

I closed my eyes. Even Marcus could see it. “Yeah. She is.”

I drove back to the city, my mind racing. Victor Kane still had twenty-two hours left on his deadline, and I still didn't have a plan that didn't involve either giving him the files or watching Lexi get hurt.

My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.

“Having second thoughts about our deal? Your little reporter looks cozy in that tiny apartment. Second floor, right corner window. Such thin walls.” The message read.

My blood turned to ice. He was watching her.

I floored the accelerator, racing through the empty streets toward Mia's building. My secure phone rang.

“Cross.”

“It's Ramirez. I've got news about Kane.”

“Talk fast.” I ordered.

“He's not in the city. My sources say he flew to Miami this morning. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have people here.”

“How many people?”

“At least six that we know of. Professional muscle, not local thugs.”

Six men. Against me, Marcus, and two completely untrained women.

“Maria, I need backup.” I pleaded more than demanded.

“Cross, you know I can't…”

“Ten million,” I interrupted. “And I'll give you Kane's entire operation. Every warehouse, every safe house, every dirty cop on his payroll.”

There was a long pause. “Jesus, Cross. How deep does this go?”

“Deeper than you want to know. Do we have a deal?”

“I'll have a tactical team ready in thirty minutes. But Cross?”

“Yeah?”

“This better not blow up in my face.” She pleaded.

I parked across the street from Mia's building and scanned the windows. Second floor, right corner. The lights were on, and I could see shadows moving around inside.

My phone buzzed again. Another text.

“Tick tock, Lucian. Twenty-one hours and counting.”

I was about to get out of the car when I saw them. Two men in dark clothes, positioned at either end of the block. Another one sitting in a van across the street.

They weren't even trying to hide.

Kane wanted me to see them. He wanted me to know that Lexi was trapped.

I dialed Marcus.

“Sir?”

“How many hostiles do you count?”

“Four. Two on the street, one in the van, one on the fire escape of the building next door.”

“Can you get to Lexi and her friend without being seen?”

“Not without taking out at least two of them.” He said.

I rubbed my temples. If we moved against Kane's men, he'd know. And if he knew, Lexi would pay the price.

But if we didn't move, she was a sitting duck anyway.

“Marcus, I'm going to create a distraction. When I do, you get the women and move them to safe house number three.”

“Sir, that's too risky. Let me handle the distraction.”

“No. This is my mess. I'll clean it up.”

I got out of the car and walked straight toward the building's front entrance, making sure Kane's men could see me clearly.

The first one stepped out of the shadows as I reached the door.

“Mr. Cross.” He had a thick Russian accent. “Mr. Kane would like to speak with you.”

“Tell Mr. Kane he can kiss my ass.” I mocked.

The man smiled, showing gold teeth. “I don't think you understand the situation."

"I understand perfectly." I kept my voice calm. “You're here to intimidate me. But see, I grew up with men like Kane. And there's one thing they all have in common.”

“What's that?” The one with the accent asked.

“They're cowards who hide behind other people's muscles.”

His smile faltered.

That's when Marcus struck.

I heard the soft thud of the sniper on the fire escape hitting the ground. The man in front of me spun around, confused.

I took the opportunity to punch him in the throat.

He dropped like a stone.

“Move! Move! Move!” I shouted into my earpiece.

Through the window, I could see Marcus bursting through the apartment door. Thirty seconds later, he appeared at the building's back exit with Lexi thrown over his shoulder like a sack of flour and Mia stumbling behind them.

Even from across the street, I could hear Lexi shouting.

“PUT ME DOWN, YOU GIANT APE! I CAN WALK!”

Despite everything, I smiled.

The van's engine roared to life, and the remaining men started converging on our position.

“This way!” I yelled, leading Marcus and the women towards my car.

We piled in, Marcus in the driver's seat, me in the passenger seat, and Lexi and Mia in the back.

“WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?” Mia screamed as Marcus peeled out into traffic.

I see why they are friends.

“Bad men were trying to hurt us,” I explained, glancing back at Lexi.

Her hair was wild, her eyes were bright with adrenaline, and she looked absolutely furious.

“You!” She pointed at me. “This is all your fault!”

“I know.” I whispered.

“You dragged me into this mess!” She yelled. Marcus covered his ear in frustration.

“I know.” I said again.

“And now they're after my best friend too!” She yelled again, I had to cover my ears this time.

“I know.”

She stared at me for a moment, then slumped back in her seat. “Well, as long as you know.”

Mia looked between us like we were both insane. “Are you two always like this?”

“Pretty much,” Lexi and I said at the same time.

Marcus caught my eye in the rearview mirror. “Safe house three, sir?”

“Safe house three.” I replied.

As we drove through the night, I made a decision. Victor Kane wanted to play games? Fine. But I was done playing defense.

It was time to remind him why my grandfather had ruled this city for thirty years.

And why I was going to destroy anyone who threatened what was mine.