All Chapters of Faking Love, Making War: The CEO’s Dirty Secrets: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

Meanwhile, doors swing outward into a corridor of burning neon lights that seethe with maddened intensity.Lucas's bodyguard had captured a group of men attempting to break into the boardroom. They had masks over their faces, but there was one man with a red tie in his hand—a detail which I'd seen in Michael's reports the last two years.I felt sick. "Lucas, is that you?" I stuttered into the receiver, speaking the words out loud.I received only mumbling answers over the phone. My tears began recalling Lucas's vow to stay with me, and I vowed to myself only that I would fulfill the vow to the very core of my soul. Soft knocking on the door of the safe room persisted. My throat had been grabbed and I pushed my ear into the door, pushed the door. "Who is that?" I shrieked, trembling.Low murmuring, soft breathing, "Audrey, I'm here. Open it."I was shocked and didn't want to open it for her. The voice was soothing, yet it wasn't anyone special—I didn't know who it was. My phone beeped

(Audrey's POV)We had narrowly escaped the fortified compound, and now every step was a leap through a tube of fire and uncertainty."Audrey, stop!" Lucas's roar was one of warning and defense as we sped into a narrow service tunnel. My mind was a jumble of fear and crazy love. I couldn't get the message delivered in advance out of my head—"The final reckoning is near." Each phrase was a death anvil, telling me that Michael's threat loomed over us. We emerged into the chilly morning air. The city was shrouded in fog, the skyline faintly visible behind rolling fog. I could sense my heart pounding as we reached the waiting security vehicle. In the small interior, Lucas's eyes never left my eyes. His eyes were firm, with determination and worry.“I trust you, Lucas. But I’m scared.” My voice wavered with raw emotion. “I’m scared of losing you, of losing Aiden… of what Michael might do next.”Lucas pulled me towards him, his mouth inches from my ear. "We're together now, Audrey. I promise

Audrey's POVI ran faster, every second an eternity. I had to decide if I would face this new danger by myself or wait for Lucas. My mind was yelling at me that I was not prepared to deal with any more lies and danger alone. But the message was loud and clear, and the fear of more secrets and betrayal tormented my stomach.The door creaked open. Lucas stood in front of me, dark eyes unflinching. "Audrey," he answered, deep voice insisting on attention, "we must talk."I looked at him, relief sweeping through. "I got a message," I lip-formed, hand extended in offering the screen. Lucas read it quickly, his jaw clenching into a hard line. "The old pier? That's where they used to neck when we were teenagers," he murmured, half to himself. His eyes flashed to mine, burning with determination and possessiveness. "We go together."I hesitated for only a beat before I nodded. "Together," I echoed.Within minutes, we were in my car, racing away from the relative safety of the estate. The engi

Audrey's POVI couldn't shake that night—havoc, fear, and the hope in Lucas's eyes when he vowed to protect me and Aiden. And now, I'm standing before our deserted safehouse, every footstep resounding with what we could possibly lose. My hands still tremble from the adrenaline of war, and Michael's next move is hanging over us.Lucas's voice behind me, deep and persistent: "Audrey, come here."I turn to him, his eyes on mine—firm and empty. His hand closes around mine, and I allow him to pull me against him. "We fought a lot last night, but this isn't over," he whispers. His voice is a voice of urgency, and beneath the urgency, I feel the fear he works so hard to keep hidden.I squeeze him tight, aching in the heart. "I know," I reply softly. "But every time I think of Michael… every time I read his threats, I have this awful feeling that our peace will never belong to us."Lucas grips me tighter. "We will have our peace. We have to.""I have to cling to that, Audrey. I promise you,

Audrey's POVI sat in the panic room, my pounding heart still shuddering at Michael's threat. The soundlessness of the security system was all I heard, but each ticking clock sent a message screaming through my ears. I held Lucas's hand, his sturdy heat propping me up against the storm of terror and hopelessness that wanted to consume me.I couldn't help but recall what he told us on our last visitation—his insanity vow to take care of Aiden no matter what, his desperation as he mouthed with tears streaming down his face, "I won't let him ruin our family." Even now that danger is closing in around us, his vow was my sole comfort. But deep inside, a secret turmoil brewed within me—a battle between the vision of a future to come and the eerie dread that Michael's final verdict would shatter it all. Afraid that no matter how much we care, this threat is going to tear us apart. Afraid to lose Aiden. to lose you." My voice splintered and seared with tears of mine. I swear to you, Audrey, w