---- Chapter 17 After having sex, Alina curled up in Lucas's arms, satisfied. She traced circles on his chest with her fingers. "Can we leave this place tomorrow?" she asked softly. "| know a drug lord in Westston. He can definitely help us return to power." Lucas responded with a nonchalant "hmm," and his gaze was fixed on moldy spots on the ceiling. He knew exactly what Alina was plotting, but it didn't matter to him. He had no intention of staying with her long-term. After he had used her to get money and resources... He squinted his eyes. How could Eve think she was safe after marrying Samuel? She was too naive. She could only ever belong to him, Lucas. "What are you thinking about?" Alina looked up at him. Lucas flashed a mischievous grin and rolled over to pin her beneath him. "| was thinking about how to keep you in bed all day tomorrow." Alina giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. Both were scheming, and they both indulged in their desires. ---- Suddenly, Alina's breath was interrupted by the screeching sound of brakes. Lucas reacted swiftly. He grabbed the gun from the nightstand and covered his lower half with the blanket before jumping out of bed. His gaze was fixed on the door cautiously. "Are they your father's men?" Alina's face went pale as she hurried to put on her crumpled dress. "I can't understand it. How would he know I'm here?" Heavy footsteps echoed from outside. There were at least three or four people. Lucas squinted as he heard the noisy creaks of the wooden floor. Those men wore leather shoes and were not light. "Your father's henchmen," Lucas sneered. His finger touched the trigger. "I'm all too familiar with those brutes he employs." Just as Alina was about to refute him, the door was kicked open. Three burly men in black suits blocked the entrance. The leader sported a vicious scar that stretched from his brow to the corner of his mouth. He smirked at Alina. "Miss, our boss wants to see you." Alina tried to maintain composure as she smoothed her hair. ---- "Tell my father that I'll visit him tomorrow." "Now." The scarred man interrupted her. Then he stepped aside to clear a path. "Our boss doesn't like to wait." Lucas noticed two more men standing in the hallway, and each was holding an uzi submachine gun. Lucas silently calculated the odds of escape. One against five. It was too slim a chance. "Let's go, honey," he said, pretending to be casual. Then he put down his gun and gave Alina's waist a playful squeeze. "I was just thinking | should meet my future father-in-law." The scarred man's eyes turned dangerous instantly. "Our boss only wants to see Alina. Because of Eve's issue, our boss is not fond of you, Mr. Smith." "So what? He had better change his mind." Lucas replied leisurely and slipped into his pants. "Unless he wants the whole world to know his daughter was caught in a hotel with a naked man. That's right. | will spread the word." Alina shot Lucas a fierce glare. The scarred man hesitated, then took out a walkie-talkie, and whispered a few words. A moment later, he stepped aside with a darkened face. "Go downstairs in ten minutes and get in a black Lincoln car." ---- After the henchmen had left the room, Alina immediately lunged at Lucas. "Are you crazy? I'm my father's daughter. He won't kill me. But he already dislikes you. He will kill you!" Lucas buttoned the last button of his shirt and gave a playful smile. "Isn't that exactly what you want? You pointed a gun at me today." "L.." Alina couldn't finish her words. Suddenly, Lucas grabbed her chin. His grip was so tight that it brought tears to her eyes. "Listen, wildcat," he whispered gently to her ear. "If you want to live, do as | say. Tell your father that | forced you to do everything, whether it's about the situation with Eve or what happened this evening. You told him that you knew nothing. Put all the blame on me. | have a way to handle it." Alina's pupils constricted instantly. Before she could respond, Lucas released her. He hummed a tune as he walked out.