Facade of Love (Yvette Scott and Idris Young)
Chapter 405 Wedding Bells?

I bit my lip, shot Lucas a frosty glare, and kept my mouth shut.

By the time we got back to Lucas's villa, night had fallen. Spring nights clung to the light longer than winter's early dusk. This time, Lucas refrained from shoving me into that dark room of his.

He let me roam the villa, but the catch was the crew of guards he posted outside. My 'freedom' was just a fancy cage.

Having no place else to be anyway, I was not too bothered.

I was chilling on the yard swing, petting Candy, who had gotten pretty plump. The little guy was well-fed, belly rumbling contentedly under my hand.

Inch came by, offering a hand warmer. "It's chilly out. The boss says to head inside."

I did not take it and did not even look at him. "No thanks. I'm good here."

He hesitated. "The boss won't like that."

I let out a cold laugh, hopped off the swing, and headed for the villa without a backward glance. Inch called after me, "Ms. Scott, the boss won't hurt you."

I stopped dead in my tracks and spun around to face him, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Inch, I've been dying to know, how did you end up as his puppet? When you were on death's doorstep, it was Officer Jackson and his squad who pulled you back. You know, people say you should pay back favors, but man, you've really outdone yourself. You were even ready to bite the hand that saved you."

He went rigid, as if he had turned to stone. His fists balled up at his sides and his face was the color of chalk. He stared at me, stammering, "You... how did you replace out?"

I could not help but let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Remember New Year's Eve? You were the one who gave me a ride home. You were the only one who knew I had called Officer Jackson, the only one who knew I was planning to meet him. Obviously, you were the only one who could have pinpointed his location that fast. Sure, you had a helmet on, but it's not like you can hide your size that easily."

All throughout that night, I could not stop thinking that if I had not gone to see Officer Jackson, maybe none of this would have happened. He would still be alive, and I would not be in Lucas's crosshairs. Life does not deal in 'what-ifs,' yet the thought persisted.

Caught out, he let out a long sigh, his eyes downcast. "I'm sorry. I've got orders from the boss, and I've got to follow them."

I snorted. "What a loyal dog you are."

He turned ghostly white but did not come back with any excuses.

I was done wasting words on him. Taking Candy's hand, I walked into the villa.

Inside, the guy with the buzz cut stepped out of Lucas's office. I froze, my eyes blazing with fury and loathing. Buzz Cut shot me a look, his eyes squinting, filled with a matching desire to see me dead. For a split second, I was sure he would throttle me right there and then. This guy was out for blood, which was the only thing I could feel in the air.

"Billy!" Lucas's voice echoed from behind, icy and sharp. I glanced up to see him looming in the doorway of the study, his gaze like a winter chill.

Billy glanced back, the frost on his face thawing just a bit, before he spun on his heel and strode away without another look.

With Billy gone, Lucas sidled up beside me, scooping up Candy from my arms and stroking its head. "Where's Cotton?" he asked.

I did not bother to answer, just turned and headed for my room.

He snagged my wrist, pulling me to a stop as I tried to leave. I shot him a frosty look. "What do you want?"

He arched an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yvette, seems like you have forgotten who's boss around here. You don't get to talk to me that way."

Jerk!

I bit back my rage, forcing out the words. "So, spit it out. What's your point?"

That got a grin out of him, all smug and self-satisfied. "I sent you some warm milk. Drink up, get some beauty sleep, and get ready to be the perfect little bride."

I scowled. "Lucas, I have done everything you have asked. What more do you want?"

He laughed, that annoying sound that grated on my nerves. "I've already spread the word at the local office. I told Idris to get the gifts ready for our wedding. Did you forget? Don't worry, I'll make sure you get everything Idris owes you. You'll be the most stunning bride."

"You madman," I snapped, more confused than ever. The cops and Idris's goons were on his tail, and he was not planning a quick getaway from Lake City but dead set on marrying me? Absolutely nuts.

I wrenched my wrist free and stormed back to my room, his motives a tangled mess in my mind.

I had laid it all out for Idris. We were done, and he was not supposed to drag me away from Lake City. Why on earth was he babbling about a wedding now?