CHAPTER ELEVEN

Lucas’s jaw tightened, as he stepped away from her, moving closer to the window, “I told you to contact your family, and not your editor , you’re here for your protection, and you are making it harder for yourself”.

Olivia gathered her courage, the duvet still wrapped around her, “Protection?, you’re the reason my life is in danger! You brought me here, and now you won't even let me go?

Lucas' eyes narrowed, “You think is that simple?If I let you go, you’re dead, You don't understand how deadly Marco can be”.

“And you think keeping me here is better? I’m not your prisoner Lucas”, Olivia shot back, her anger rising.

Lucas took another step forward, their faces inches apart, “You don't get to dictate the terms here, remember why you’re still alive”.

For a moment they just stood there, locked in a battle of wills. Olivia could feel the tension crackling between them, a dangerous mix of anger and something else she couldn't comprehend .

“You can't keep me here forever”, Olivia whispered , her voice softer but not less determined.

Lucas’s eyes softened for just a moment, but then the hardness returned, “I can and I will”.

Before Olivia could respond, there was a knock at the door. Lucas turned towards the door, his authoritative demeanor snapping back into place, “Come in”.

Vincent entered the room, his eyes flickering between Lucas and Olivia, sensing the tension, “We have a situation boss.

Lucas turned to Vincent, his expression darkening, “What is it?”

“Marco has launched a direct attack on our operations”, Vincent reported, his voice tight with urgency.

Lucas’s eyes flashed with anger, “gather the men , we need to deal with this now”

As Vincent left to carry out his orders, Lucas turned back to Olivia, “Stay here and don't get involved”.

Olivia glared at him, “Fine, do whatever you have to do”.

Lucas left the room, the door closing behind him with a resounding thud. Olivia sank into the chair , her mind racing with thoughts of their strained relationship.

Lucas stormed through the mansion, his anger and frustration evident in every step. Vincent was already organizing the men , preparing them for what was to come . Lucas paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm himself.

“Vincent”, he called out.

Vincent turned, his expression serious, “Yes boss”.

“Make sure everyone is ready, we can't afford any mistakes”, Lucas ordered, his voice cold and authoritative .

Vincent nodded, “Understood, what about Olivia”.

Lucas hesitated for a moment, “Keep her safe”.

The air was thick with tension and everyone knew that a storm was about to break. Marco’s audacity to launch a direct attack on Lucas' operation was a declaration of war.

“Boss, we’ve received Intel. Marco's men are targeting our warehouse. They're heavily armed and planning to seize our supply chain.” Vincent said to Lucas, his voice filled with urgency.

Lucas’s jaw tightened , his eyes narrowing, “How many men do we have there?”


“About thirty” Vincent replied , “But Marco's is bringing at least fifty , It's going to be a tough fight”.

Lucas nodded, his mind already strategizing, “We can't let them take that warehouse, If they do, it’ll cripple us. Gather everyone, we are heading out”.

The convoy of black SUVs sped through the city streets, heading towards the warehouse district. Vincent sat beside him, checking his weapon and giving last minute instructions to the men over the radio.

As they approached the warehouse, they could see the chaos unfolding. Marco's men were already there , engaging in a fierce firefight with Lucas' guards.

Bullets flew and the sound of gunfire echoed through the air. Lucas’s convoy scratched to a halt and the men poured out, weapons drawn.

“Vincent, take a team and flank them from the east”, Lucas ordered, “I’ll take west with the rest”.

Vincent nodded, rallying a group of men and moving swiftly to the east side of the warehouse. Lucas led his team to the West , using the shadows and covers to their advantage.

They moved in order, taking out Marco's men one by one.

The battle raged on , with explosions rocking the ground and the air filled with smoke and smell of gunpowder . Lucas's men fought fiercely their loyalty to their boss unwavering.

Lucas spotted Marco,amidst the chaos, barking orders and directing his men. The sight of his traitorous cousin fueled Lucas' anger and he pressed forward.

Vincent's team managed to outflank Marco's men, catching them off guard and creating a crossfire.

The tide of the battle began to turn in Lucas' favor. Marco's men , realizing they were being overwhelmed , started to retreat.

Lucas took advantage of the chaos, pushing further with his men. The fight was brutal but Lucas' men were relentless.

In the midst of the battle, Lucas found himself face to face with Marco. The two locked eyes , and for a moment the world seemed to stand still . Marco sneered , raising his weapon , but Lucas was faster. With a calculated and swift move, Lucas disarmed Marco and knocked him to the ground.

“You’re finished Marco” Lucas growled and knocked him to the ground. The sound of the battle raged around them, but in that moment it felt asif, they were the only two people in the world.

Marco glared up at him, defiance in his eyes, “This isn't over, Lucas. You’ll never win”.

“I released you for the sake of father's last wish, but this time, I'm not turning back”, Lucas snapped back.

Suddenly , a sharp pain shot through Lucas' arm as a bullet grazed him. He winced, momentarily losing his grip on Marco.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Marco twisted free and delivered a hard punch to the wounded spot on Lucas' arm. The force of the blow sent Lucas staggering backwards , clutching his injured arm.

Marco scrambled to his feet, a triumphant smirk on his face, “You should have known better , Lucas” he taunted stepping backwards to create some distance between them.

Lucas’s eyes burned with fury as he straightened up, ignoring the pain, “This isn't over”, he hissed, his voice low and dangerous.