Chapter 17

We set the trap that night.

Mason's security team surrounded the warehouse on 5th. Four men. Two cars. Cameras on every corner.

I wasn't supposed to be there.

But I'd insisted.

"I'm the bait," I told Mason. "If I'm not there, he won't show."

"I don't care. You're staying here."

"No."

"Lucy—"

"I'm not going to let you do this alone." I met his eyes. "We're in this together. Remember?"

He stared at me for a long moment. Then he swore under his breath.

"Fine. But you stay behind me. You don't move. You don't speak. You don't even breathe."

"Deal."

The warehouse was cold. Dark. Empty. I stood in the center of the room, heart pounding, waiting.

Mason was hidden behind a stack of crates. His security team was scattered throughout the building.

I tried to breathe. Tried to stay calm.

Then I heard footsteps. "Lucy."

Vincent's voice. Smooth. Confident.

I turned. He was standing in the doorway. Dark jacket. Hood down. His face was exactly like the photo Mason had shown me. Hard eyes. Cruel smile.

"Hello, Lucy."

"I'm here," I said. "Just like you wanted."

"Good girl." He stepped closer. "Where's Mason?"

"I don't know."

"Liar." He smiled. "I know he's here. I can feel him."

I didn't respond.

Vincent circled me. Slow. Deliberate. "You know, I've been watching you for months," he said. "Ever since I found out about your father. Ever since I realized you were the key."

"The key to what?"

"To destroying the Chen family." He stopped in front of me. "Your father's testimony destroyed my family. Now I'm going to destroy his."

"You're insane."

"Probably." He smiled again. "But that doesn't make me wrong."

Mason moved. One second, he was hidden. The next, he was behind Vincent, gun pressed to his back.

"Don't move."

Vincent laughed. "Mason Chen. I was wondering when you'd show up."

"Let her go."

"I don't have her." Vincent held up his hands. "She came of her own free will."

"You threatened her."

"I threatened a lot of people." Vincent shrugged. "It's what I do."

Mason's jaw tightened.

"Give me the testimony," Vincent said. "Give me what I want, and I'll disappear."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I'll start taking things you care about." His eyes flicked to me. "Starting with her."

I felt sick.

Mason's hand tightened on the gun.

"Do it," Vincent said. "Pull the trigger. See what happens."

I didn't know how the standoff ended.

One minute, they were staring at each other. The next, Vincent was gone. Disappeared into the shadows.

Mason's security team searched the warehouse. Found nothing.

"He's gone," one of them said.

"Damn it." Mason slammed his fist against the wall.

I walked over. Touched his arm. "It's okay."

"It's not okay." He turned to me. "He's still out there. Still watching. Still threatening."

"We'll find him."

"How?"

I didn't have an answer.

We drove home in silence. Mason didn't speak. Didn't look at me. Just stared out the window, jaw tight.

I wanted to say something. Anything. But I didn't know what.

***

Clara was waiting when we got back. She took one look at us and sighed. "Let me guess. He got away."

"Yes."

"And you're both blaming yourselves."

"No," Mason said flatly.

"Yes," I said at the same time.

Clara shook her head. "You two are impossible."

She handed us both glasses of wine.

"Drink," she said. "Sleep. Try again tomorrow."

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I lay in the guest room, staring at the ceiling, replaying every moment at the warehouse.

Vincent's face. His voice. His threats. He was getting bolder. More desperate. And I was scared.

My phone buzzed.

Ethan: Hey. Just checking in. You okay?

I smiled despite everything.

Lucy: I'm okay. Just a rough night.

Ethan: Want to talk about it?

I hesitated. Then I typed: Can't. Too much to explain.

Ethan: I get it. But I'm here if you need me.

Lucy: Thanks, Ethan.

Ethan: Anytime.

I set down my phone.

I walked downstairs. Mason was in the living room. Dark. Quiet. A glass of whiskey in his hand.

"Can't sleep?" he asked.

"Neither can you."

He set down his glass.

"Come here," he said.

I walked over. Sat beside him.

"I failed tonight," he said quietly. "I had him. And I let him go."

"You didn't let him go. He escaped."

"Same thing."

"No, it's not." I turned to him. "You did everything you could. He's just smarter than we thought."

He looked at me. His eyes were dark. "I'm going to catch him," he said. "I'm going to stop him. And I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

"I know."

"Lucy—"

"Mason." I took his hand. "Stop blaming yourself. We're in this together. Remember?"

He stared at me. "Yeah," he said finally. "Together."

Then he leaned in and kissed me. I kissed him back.

The next morning, I went back to work. Ethan was there. Same as always. Smiling. "You look tired," he said.

"Rough night."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

He nodded. "Okay. But I'm here if you change your mind."

I smiled. "Thanks, Ethan."

At lunch, my phone buzzed.

Unknown number: About last night. You were brave. Stupid. But brave.

Unknown number: It won't save you.

Unknown number: I'm going to win, Lucy. I always win.

I felt sick. But I didn't respond. I just set down my phone and tried to breathe.

Mason picked me up from work. Ethan was still there. He waved as we left.

Mason's jaw tightened.

"Don't," I said.

"Don't what?"

"Don't threaten him again."

"I wasn't going to." His voice was flat. "I was just going to say hi."

"Your 'hi' sounds like a threat."

He almost smiled. Almost.

We drove home in silence. But his hand found mine on the seat. And I didn't let go. Because for now I had him. I had Mason to myself.