ALINA’S POV.

“I need your help right now, get here in the next five minutes ande with backup.”

In about ten minutes, Jordan was rushing in with an Asian guy that looked familiar.

“Sorry for the dy, ma’am. It took a while for Lee to get here.” Jordan apologized as soon as I opened the door of the room.

“You got here faster than expected, Jordan, don’t worry.” I assured him. “How did Lee get here so fast?” I asked, impressed.

“I rode a bike, ma’am.” Lee responded.

He must have broken every traffic rule there was. !--

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“Hope none of you has breathed a word of this to Lucian yet?” I nced at the both of them.

“I was already in town running some personal errand when Jordan reached out to me, ma’am. Boss has no idea where I am because today happens to be my off.” Lee assured me.

“Good, good.” I nodded at him. “Jordan?” I turned my attention to the other man.

“I haven’t said anything to him yet, but ma’am-”

“No but,” I said, cutting him off. “You are my bodyguard, so your loyalty should lie with me. Unless I am doing something to harm myself or Lucian, he doesn’t need to know all of my business. Understood?” I said sternly.

He looked hesitant for a few seconds before responding. “Understood, ma’am.” He finally said with a sigh.

“Good. Now help me move her over to the bed.” I instructed, gesturing to Seraphina who was still on the couch.

They did as instructed.

“In less than five minutes, two men will walk in here. I want you both to restrain them when they arrive.”

“Yes, ma’am.” They chorused without question.

They got into position and we waited. Not long after, there was a knock on the door.

I walked to the door and opened it, revealing two pot-bellied men in their forties who reeked of alcohol.

They stared at me in confusion, not knowing what to do.

“Who are you?” One of them asked.

“Please, doe in, gentlemen. We are going to have so much fun together.”

Their eyes lightened at my words and they stumbled into the room.

They were drunk. How expected.

As they got to the bed and saw an unconscious Seraphina lying on it, their eyes widened and they turned around to face me.

“What is going on here?” the other one asked, confused, but before they could react, they were held down by Lee and

Jordan.

I sat down on the couch and crossed my legs.

“Now, I’m going to make this quick and I advise you to cooperate, or else these two gentlemen here will beat a couple of calories out of you. Understood?” I asked.

They nodded.

“Good. Now, how much did she pay you to rape and film me?” I questioned, rxing on the couch.

“One million dors each.” One of them responded.

Do they had nned to ruin my life for a mere one million dors?

“I’ll give you ten million dors each to do everything you were supposed to do to me to her. And after that, you’re going to ce her in another room I am going to arrange, like nothing happened. Then, you are going to disappear. For good. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Madame.”They responded with wide eyes.

I could literally see the dor signs in their

eyes.

“Good. Get to work and meet me at the bar section with the recording when you’re done, and you can get your pay.” I told

them.

Lee and Jordan let go of them, and we walked out.

“Lee,e with me. And Jordan, wait out here to make sure they do as they are told.” I instructed.

I didn’t know Lee’s capabilities, but Jordan looked buffer than him, so I’m sure Jordan was the better choice to stay in case anything went wrong.

“Alright, Madame.” Jordan responded, standing by the door.

Lee and I walked to the bar section where we waited.

“Have I met you before or are you new too?” I asked Lee, trying to make small talk to while away time. “You can sit down, you know.” I gestured to the barstool beside me.

“I’m fine, ma’am,” he responded stiffly. “And no, I’m not new, but I’m mostly at the guard tower by the gate,” he told me.

Ah. That’s where I had seen him.

“Hmm.” I muttered.

I shot a quick text to Talia, assuring her that I was okay and telling her I would give her a call to exin everything once I left here.

Soon, Jordan and the two men walked into the bar.

“Jordan?” I asked.

“Everything went well, ma’am.” He responded.

“Good.” I said, pulling out a bank card and handing it over to one of them.

He reached out to grab it, and I pulled my hand back, stretching my empty hand to him..

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” I asked when he gave me a confused look.

“Oh yeah, sorry.” He pulled out a sh drive and handed it to me.

I gave them the card.

“Jordan, Lee, be darlings and make sure these gentlemen leave the city tonight.” I instructed. “You two are to remain ghosts until I contact you.” I turned to the two men.

“Yes, ma’am.” They nodded.

“And if Seraphina contacts you, make sure you do not respond…or so help me God, if you try to cross me…” I left the threat hanging.

“We wouldn’t dare, ma’am.” Their voices trembled.

“Good. Now leave.” I shot them a disgusted look.

“Ma’am, please wait right here. I will be back in twenty minutes to pick you up.” Jordan told me, looking reluctant to leave me behind.

“Go, Jordan. I’m not a kid, I’ll be fine.” I assured.

With onest hesitant look, he walked away.

The hotel bar looked almost empty, save for some few guests scattered around.

“What’s your poison?”

“Excuse me?” I looked up from my phone to the voice that had just spoken.

“What would you like to drink?” the bartender repeated with an amused smile.

He wasn’t bad looking, and he seemed to be around my age.

“No, I’m good.” My tone was dismissive.

I still had PTSD from the other night, and I was going to stay away from strong alcohol for the time being.

“Are you sure? Let me impress you with my personal favorite, on the house,” he pushed.

“Listen, I know you mean well, but I’m good. I’m just waiting for my bodyguard, and I’ll be out of your hair.” My tone came harsher than intended.

I knew he was being nice, but he was rubbing me the wrong way for some reason. Then again, it could just be me simply being paranoid.

He nodded and moved to the other end of the counter, cleaning sses, but I could still feel his eyes on me.

‘God, isn’t it twenty minutes already?’ I wondered, checking my phone screen.

It was already a little past 8 p.m., and I wanted to get back home before Lucian. It would save me a whole lot of exnation.

I decided to call Talia to pass time.

“Is it done?” She asked.

“All done,” I responded. “I’ll send you a copy for keepsake once I get home.”

“You sure she won’t remember anything?” Her tone was skeptical.

“I don’t know what kind of drug that was, but I doubt she would remember a thing. She might be confused on how she got to the room she’s currently in, but she’s all dressed up like nothing happened, so she won’t suspect anything.”

“And if she asks you?” Talia sounded a little worried.

“Then I’ll feign confusion. I passed out in the hallway, remember? So I’m not supposed to know anything”

“Okay, sounds like a n. Be safe and text me once you get home. I have to get some work done. Love you, baby.” She told olli/li/ol

“Will do. Love you too.” I responded with a smile, dropping the call.

I nced to the side to see the bartender still looking at me.

Creep.

He even had the nerve to shoot me a wink.

A hand grabbed my bag from the counter.

“Finally, Jordan,” I sighed in relief. “Let’s head home quickly before Lucian gets home before us.” I said, turning around to

face him.

My eyes widened at the person before me.

It wasn’t Jordan.

“Lu… Lucian.” I stuttered.