made for each other.

Chapter 13: Bargains and Betrayals

Adrian’s car sped through the dimly lit streets, Bianca seated beside him. The tension between them was palpable, each lost in their thoughts about what lay ahead. They were on their way to meet Victor’s ally, a man named Lucas Grayson.

Lucas had been a trusted associate of Victor’s for years, managing the shadier aspects of his business. But Bianca had learned that Lucas had his own grudges against Victor, stemming from broken promises and unpaid debts. If they played their cards right, they could exploit this rift to their advantage.

Adrian glanced at Bianca, his jaw tight. “Are you sure Lucas will even consider flipping on Victor?”

Bianca nodded, though her voice betrayed her uncertainty. “If we offer him a deal that benefits him more than staying loyal to Victor, he’ll bite. He’s not the kind of man to let loyalty get in the way of self-interest.”

Adrian wasn’t entirely convinced, but he knew they had no other choice. Victor’s smear campaign was gaining traction, and they needed leverage to fight back.

---

The Meeting

They arrived at a secluded bar on the outskirts of the city, a place Bianca had frequented during her time working with Victor. Lucas was already there, seated in a private booth at the back. His sharp eyes tracked them as they approached, his expression unreadable.

“Lucas,” Bianca greeted him, her voice steady despite the nervous energy coursing through her.

Lucas gestured for them to sit, his lips curling into a faint smirk. “Bianca. Didn’t expect to see you again, especially not with him.” His gaze shifted to Adrian, assessing him with an air of disdain.

Adrian ignored the subtle jab and got straight to the point. “We need your help. Victor’s coming after me, and we know you have the information we need to stop him.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. “And why would I betray Victor for you?”

Bianca leaned forward, her voice low and persuasive. “Because Victor doesn’t care about you, Lucas. He’s used you, lied to you, and when you’re no longer useful, he’ll discard you without a second thought. We’re offering you a way out—a chance to come out of this unscathed and with more than what Victor’s ever given you.”

Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re bold, I’ll give you that. But what exactly are you offering?”

Adrian placed a folder on the table, sliding it toward Lucas. “Inside is a plan to dismantle Victor’s empire. If you help us, you’ll get immunity, a generous financial payout, and the satisfaction of watching Victor lose everything.”

Lucas opened the folder, scanning its contents. For a moment, his expression was unreadable, but then he leaned back, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

“You’ve done your homework,” he admitted. “But if Victor finds out I’ve betrayed him, I’m a dead man.”

Bianca didn’t flinch. “He’ll never find out. Once this is over, he won’t have the power to touch anyone.”

---

A Deal is Struck

After a tense silence, Lucas nodded. “Fine. I’ll help you. But if you screw me over, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Adrian met his gaze, unflinching. “You have my word. We’re in this together now.”

Lucas smirked again, this time with a hint of genuine amusement. “Let’s see if you can keep that promise.”

---

Back at Home

When Adrian and Bianca returned, Elena was waiting for them. She rushed to Adrian’s side, relief flooding her features. “You’re back. How did it go?”

Adrian pulled her into his arms, his voice steady. “It went better than I expected. Lucas agreed to help us.”

Bianca nodded, a rare smile on her lips. “If all goes according to plan, Victor’s empire will crumble within days.”

Elena looked between them, her worry easing slightly. “I hope this works. I can’t stand the thought of Victor winning.”

Adrian kissed her forehead. “He won’t. Not as long as we stand together.”

---

Victor’s Suspicion

Meanwhile, Victor sat in his office, a glass of whiskey in hand. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Lucas had been unusually quiet, and Victor’s instincts told him he was up to something.

He picked up his phone and made a call. “Keep an eye on Lucas. I want to know every move he makes. If he’s even thinking about betraying me, I’ll deal with him personally.”