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ALINA’S POV.

“I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have let you go alone. I should have insisted on walking you to your car.” Talia apologized for the umpteenth time since she arrived.

It’s been a couple of days since the incident. Lucian has been acting distanttely and hasn’t been around much either, hence why Talia is here.

Normally, Talia avoideding over because she was terrified of Lucian, but I guess her worry for me overshadowed her fear of him.

“It’s alright, Talia, seriously.” I repeated the same thing I’ve been telling her. “It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known.”

“But-”

“Please, for the love of God, Tally.” I groaned, cutting her off.

“Okay, okay.” She raised her hands in surrender.

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we were sitting in the garden because the weather was particrly nice today. I hadn’t really been outside my room since the attack, so I decided to get some fresh air. I was already out here when a frantic-looking Talia showed up.

I hadn’t told her what happened until today. I didn’t want to talk about it before, but now, I think I’m okay enough to share it with her.

“Do you think Seraphina had something to do with this?” Talia wondered. “Cause I wouldn’t put it past her to pull stunts like this.”

“It wasn’t her.” I shook my head.

“You can’t be too sure.” Talia’s tone held skepticism.

“I am, because of what the man said, he mentioned a ‘he.” I told her, thinking back to the words I’d heard just before I escaped. “Do you think you can hack into the surveince footage from the club for me? I couldn’t get a clear picture of the man’s face.”

“I’m sorry, that won’t be possible.” She said apologetically.

“What? Why?” My face scrunched in confusion.

“Because that same night, a high-profile client, anonymous, had already reached out to me to get them the footage of the club and wipe the records clean,” She informed me. “Paid an outrageous sum too.”

She stared into space like she couldn’t believe the amount the anonymous client paid.

What? Who would have done that? Could it be the ‘he’ who’s responsible for all this?

“Did you at least take a look at the footage?” I asked hopefully.

“You know every job is treated as confidential, so I didn’t.” Her voice dropped in frustration. “I wish I had known this one was directly connected to me.”

I was disappointed too. This had been my only lead to finding whoever was responsible for my attack.

“It’s alright, Tally. We’ll figure something out.” I assured her, cing my hand on hers.

We fell into afortable silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Then she broke it.

“Have you gotten the designs to Seraphina yet?” She asked, ncing around nervously.

I haven’t actually, I’ve been too busy with everything that’s been happening, I didn’t even meet up with her as agreed.

“No?” I admitted.

Talia chuckled. “I guess she took it well, like a champ.” She stated sarcastically, her eyes flitting around again.

What was up with her?

“You know her.” Iughed. “She was dramatic about it, and I had to give her a bull excuse that I was adding some extra touch to the design. She bought it, obviously.” I rolled my eyes. “We’re re-scheduled to meet next week.”

Talia nodded.

“How is the preparation for Alinova’s fashion show going?” Her eyes did another sweep of her surroundings.

“It’s going well…” I replied, narrowing my eyes as I watched her weird behavior. “The office space is ready, and my designs arè set to arrive tomorrow. Mia is taking care of that- Okay, can you stop looking around like Lucian is going to jump-scare you any minute now? He isn’t home. I already told you that.” I rolled my eyes.

“That’s not why I—”

“Oh, please, Talia,” I cut her off. “We both know that’s why you’ve been looking around, not subtly, might I add.” I called her

out.

“Alright, fine.” She sighed. “Your fiancé is terrifying, okay?”She admitted, making meugh.

“For somebody so fearless, you sure as hell are really scared of Lucian, which is crazy because he actually likes you.” I told

her.

“Again, he doesn’t like anybody. Except you.” She rolled her eyes.

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“I’m serious. He said you were a good friend.”

“He did?” She looked shocked. “Wait… why were you both talking about me in the first ce?”She asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

“Rx, it’s nothing serious. It was the day I snuck out toe see you. He already knew I was at your ce, and then he said, and I quote, ‘She is a good friend.””

Talia looked a little awkward, and honestly, I wanted tough at the expression on her face. I knew nothing in this world would convince her that Lucian isn’t as scary as she makes him out to be.

If only I had known that wasn’t true.

“Where is Mr. ckwood anyway?” She asked.

She really wasn’t going to stop calling him that.

“No idea.” I shrugged. “He’s been breezing in and out of the mansion since the incident. Who knows what he’s been up to?” I told her as we both fell into afortable silence again.

LUCIAN’S POV.

“It’s been almost a week! What the hell do you mean by you cannot find him?” I yelled, emptying the contents of my table onto the floor.

I was in the office at the ckwood Tower. I’ve been away from home since that bastard tried not only to abduct but to rape Alina, My Alina. I’ve seen the surveince footage, and what I saw made my body boil with barely contained rage.

I haven’t seen Alina since…. because I couldn’t face her. Not until I got her justice.

“He isn’t in ris city, boss. We have turned the whole ce inside out everyday since that night. “Ace told me what I already knew.

I shot him a cold re.

“Then fucking look for him in Ravienne City. Search the entire Pacific Ocean if you have to, but I want him in front of me by the end of today, or so help me, I will-”

I was interrupted when the door opened, revealing my secretary… Jessica, I think.

“Get the fuck out!” I snapped.

“But sir-”

“Are you retarded?” I growled. “What part of ‘I didn’t want to be disturbed’ didn’t you understand? What do I pay you for if you can’t handle little things yourself?”

I had clearly instructed that I didn’t want any disturbance. The only reason I was at the office right now and not at home was because I didn’t want Alina seeing me this way.

“I-I’m sorry, sir-”

“OUT!” I bellowed.

She scurried out of my office in fear.

“Why does she still work here?” I asked Ace as soon as she was out of earshot.

Not like I cared if she heard or not.

“She’s good at her job, sir. And she’s a professional.” He responded.

He was right. The only reason she wasn’t being fired right now was because she was verypetent, and I was too damn busy to find a recement.

“Right,” I said tly. “Ace, get our people in Ravienne City tob through every alleyway and street until they find this bastard.”

“We’re working on it, boss.”

“Work harder, Ace. I want him in one piece too, make sure you tell your boys that.”

“Yes, boss.” Ace nodded, then his expression shifted as he listened to something through his earpiece. “Roger that.” He said, tapping his index finger to the device.

“Give me something Ace.” I said, pulse rising in anticipation.

“He’s been found, boss. He’s currently at the warehouse as we speak.” Ace gave me the best news I’d heard all damn week.

“The fuck are you still standing there for? Let’s go!” I snapped, grabbing my suit jacket as we both made our way out.

I didn’t have the patience for Ace’s driving, so I drove, like a fucking maniac, and got to the warehouse in no time.

I stormed into the building, ignoring the greetings of the men engaging in one training activity or another. They were wise enough to know I wasn’t in the mood, and quickly stayed out of my path.

“Where is he?” I all but growled at the guard standing in front of the metal door of what I like to call “The Holding Cell’ Though I’ve heard whispers of people calling it “The Torture Room, and if I’m to admit, it was more fitting.

“In… inside, boss.” One of the guards stuttered in fright.

“Do I have to ask you to open the fucking door?” My patience was wearing dangerously thin.

He quickly unlocked it with shaky hands, and I stormed inside—

Only to be met with a sight I wasn’t expecting.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!”

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