Chapter 57. Headless Chicken...

Lucien sat quietly beside Zayn in the black SUV. The hum of the engine and the low murmur of radios from the bodyguards outside were the only sounds filling the air. Ahead of them, two black vans drove in a disciplined line, filled with armed men. Behind, two more vans followed. The SUV Zayn and Lucien rode in was sandwiched right in the middle — heavily guarded, untouchable.

Lucien leaned his head slightly toward the tinted glass window, watching as the city sped by. His thoughts wandered, drifting to memories he could never erase.

The first day.

The first time he had been taken by Zayn, forced into this very SUV. He could still remember his pounding heart, his sweaty palms, his trembling body. Fear had swallowed him whole. Back then, he had no idea where they were going or what was waiting for him. He had been a prisoner, a victim, someone with no control.

And yet now, here he was — sitting in the same car, next to the same man, but without fear. In fact, h