Facade of Love (Yvette Scott and Idris Young)
Chapter 408 I've Been Way Too Soft on You

Listening to Gregory spill the beans, I could not help but wonder, "You call him 'Officer Jackson'? Isn't Mrs. Newman your mom?" I mean, Officer Jackson and Mrs. Newman were married, so why was Gregory a Long instead of a Jackson?

He bit his lip and let me in on his story, "My real dad's last name was Long. Officer Jackson was his buddy. My dad was killed on duty when I was just ten, and Officer Jackson stepped in to look after me and my mom, and they ended up together."

Ah.

I gave him a look and said, "So, your dad was a cop too?"

A family of blue bloods, all three of them. He nodded, his face clouding over, "Yeah, he was taken out by some bad guys on the border."

I bit my lip. The border was a tough place, full of risks. To keep our home safe, every year we lose so many brave souls out there. Consequently, many families were left missing dads, sons, daughters, moms, and whole lineages of valiant hearts.

"I just can't buy that Lucas is that lucky. He slipped through our fingers once, but there is no way he is dodging the bullet this time," I said, locking eyes with Gregory. "I owe it to Officer Jackson to settle the score, and settle it I will."

Gregory gave me a wry smile. "I heard he's planning to put a ring on your finger. Keeping an enemy so close, even in bed? Lucas must have a death wish."

I bit my lip. Nobody knew better than me how much Lucas feared the reaper.

The sound of a long, blaring horn cut through the air. Sharing a knowing look, Gregory and I could not help but crack up.

"He's arrived!" Gregory exclaimed, peering out the window. A yacht, decked out with the national flag, was making its way toward us.

I caught sight of it too.

The person we had been waiting for was finally here, and the thrill of it had us both itching to bolt from the cabin and sync up with the cops waiting on the other side.

The moment we swung the cabin door open, however, a sinister gun was jammed against Gregory's temple. It all happened so fast, I gasped. When I realized it was Lucas at the door, my heart lurched.

How on earth did he track us down so fast?

With the gun to his head, Gregory was forced back inside. Lucas, with those dark eyes squinting at me, had a look that could curdle milk. "Yvette, it looks like I've been too soft on you," he said.

Before I could get a word out, his henchman Inch was on me, binding my hands once more.

Lucas then turned his icy gaze to Gregory, a sneer playing on his lips. "All this way, and that's the best you can do?"

Suddenly, one of his goons tossed a black box onto the floor. Gregory's face went from shocked to ghostly white in a heartbeat.

Even if I were the last person to catch on, Gregory's expression said it all. He had been set up to take the fall for Lucas. The guy next to Lucas popped open a case, and it was packed with the kind of stuff that would get you in serious trouble with the cops.

How did Lucas get his hands on this stash so fast?

Gregory bit his lip, eyeing Lucas, then let out a bitter chuckle. "So, my smooth sailing was all thanks to you, huh? Looks like I owe you one."

Lucas just scoffed and had his goons tie Gregory up. The blare of a ship's horn was getting louder. Someone rushed up to Lucas and reported, "Luke, the ship's fixed and ready to go. But the cops have us in their sights. They got a tip about contraband and want to search the ship."

Despite the police having them in their sights because they received a tip about contraband and wanting to search the ship, Lucas barely glanced at the illegal goods on the floor, gave us a quick once-over, then flicked his eyes at one of his crew. The next thing I knew, the contraband was flying out the window into the ocean.

"All set," Lucas said coolly. "Let them search you."

Gregory and I were escorted up to the deck. The cops were about to board, so they untied us, but Lucas made sure we had a couple of his guys keeping us company.

It looked like Gregory's hard work was for nothing. I turned to him and said, "All that effort, and you couldn't nail Lucas. Now you're in the hot seat too."

The shock was gone from his face, replaced by a calm detachment. "Who says I'm in trouble?" he shot back.

That caught me off guard. He had another move? "You've got another trick up your sleeve?"

He did not reply, just gazed out at the sea and let out a weary sigh. "Just hope we've got enough time."

I did not get what he meant. It was all a bit too mysterious for me.

He cast a secretive glance at the patrol boat easing into the dock. I followed his gaze and, to my surprise, spotted a familiar silhouette on board.