Sin in His Shadow” Book One

Chapter 19 – Smoke and Mirrors

Lucien barely had time to process Zarek’s words before Zarek’s men flooded the hallway, barking commands and scanning every corner like shadows with guns. The estate, once so untouchable, now felt like a cage ready to be burned down.

“What do we do?” Lucien asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Zarek looked over his shoulder. “We leave. Now.”

“But—”

Zarek crossed the room, grabbed Lucien by the wrist, and yanked open a panel in the bookshelf. Behind it, a staircase spiraled downward into darkness.

Lucien stared. “You have a secret tunnel under your mansion?”

Zarek didn’t answer. “Put this on,” he said, handing Lucien a sleek black jacket and gloves. “No fingerprints. No name. From this moment on, you’re no one.”

Lucien obeyed.

Down the tunnel they ran — their footsteps muffled, breath sharp, danger closer than ever. The silence between them was loud with everything they weren’t saying.

At the end of the tunnel, an SUV waited, engine humming.

Before they got in, Zarek turned to Lucien.

“You’re going to hate me for what happens next,” he said quietly.

Lucien blinked. “What are you talking about?”

Zarek cupped his face. “I’d kill for you, Lucien.”

“I know.”

“But would you still love me after I do?”

Before Lucien could answer, Zarek pressed a kiss to his lips—urgent, almost broken—then climbed into the SUV. Lucien followed, heart screaming.

They drove for twenty minutes in silence until they reached a warehouse near the docks. Zarek’s men surrounded it.

Inside, a single figure stood under a flickering light.

Lucien froze.

Zevian.

Zarek’s cousin. The man who smiled like the devil and held knives like lovers.

Zarek got out first. Lucien followed, his chest tight.

“You have some nerve,” Zarek growled.

Zevian tilted his head, calm and cruel. “I came to warn you, cousin.”

“I don’t want your warnings.”

Zevian’s smile thinned. “Then take my gift instead.”

He stepped aside—and from behind him, two masked men dragged someone forward, bruised, gagged.

Lucien’s knees nearly gave out.

It was Auren. His best friend.

Bloodied. Barely conscious.

Zevian’s voice was silk and poison. “He followed you into the fire, Lucien. Do you even realize the kind of target you are now?”

Zarek pulled out his gun.

Lucien stepped in front of him. “Zarek, no.”

But Zarek didn’t lower it.

“Let Auren go,” Lucien said to Zevian, trembling. “Please.”

Zevian’s eyes gleamed. “I’ll trade. Him… for your loyalty. Just once.”

Lucien stared at Zarek, then back at Zevian.

The room felt like a loaded weapon.

“I’ll go with you,” Lucien whispered.

“Lucien, don’t,” Zarek said, voice cracking for the first time.

Lucien turned to him, eyes wet. “If you really love me… protect Auren.”

And then… he walked toward Zevian.