Chapter 189 — Alina Lantel POV
I knew he saw me.
The second Marcus Vex stepped into that restaurant, the air shifted. You could tell by the tension that sliced through the room like a knife. His presence was sharp, magnetic, arrogant. Typical. I didn't even need to look to know it was him—but I did. I looked.
And his eyes found mine.
For a moment, neither of us moved. The noise of the restaurant dimmed around me, as though the world was holding its breath. My chest tightened. Then I did what any sane girl sitting across from her twin brother would do when being stared down by the most dangerous man she was supposed to be seducing.
I smiled.
And smirked.
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Nothing." I took a sip of my drink, never taking my eyes off Marcus. "Just admiring the view."
Marcus looked furious—and intrigued. Perfect combination.
Then he disappeared through the restaurant like the devil returning to his lair. I relaxed back into my seat, knowing I'd done exactly what Liam wanted. The spark was still alive. The hook was still in place.
And Marcus had taken the bait.
Aiden, of course, was already giving me the big brother stare. "Alina."
I groaned. "Don't start."
"I am starting." He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Why are you playing with fire? Again?"
"Because someone needs to finish what Liam started," I muttered, stabbing at my salad. "And because I'm not scared of Marcus Vex."
"You should be."
I sighed and dropped my fork, staring at my twin. "Look, I know you don't like this. But you were there. You saw what Valkyrie did to him. What Marcus did to Liam's crew. This isn't just revenge—it's a reset. We're helping clean up a mess that broke our cousin four years ago."
Aiden sat back, silent. That silence between us held memories we didn't talk about—nights we watched Liam come home bloodied and bitter, talking less and drinking more.
"You know I'd never let anything happen to you," he said finally. "But if he touches you—"
"He won't." I stood and tossed my napkin on the table. "Because I won't let him."
I didn't wait for Aiden to reply. I was already walking out, slipping on my sunglasses. I needed to cool my nerves, clear my head—and figure out my next move.
Because Marcus Vex had seen me.
And now it was time to strike again.
---
Two hours later, I found myself pacing the rooftop of Liam's backup hideout in Brooklyn. He always said rooftops made people talk more honestly. Something about being high above the world made it harder to lie. Maybe it was just the wind.
Liam was already there, leaning against the ledge with a bottle of water in one hand and his phone in the other. He barely looked up when I approached.
"You were right," I said without waiting. "He remembered me."
Liam smirked. "Of course he did. You were wearing thigh-high boots and enough perfume to give a grown man chest pain."
I rolled my eyes. "You're welcome."
He glanced up, his expression sharpening. "Did he approach you?"
"No. But he saw me. He stared long enough to burn holes through my dress."
"Did he recognize Aiden?"
"Maybe. But if he did, he assumed he was my boyfriend."
Liam chuckled, low and dangerous. "That's good. Let him think that. Jealousy will work in our favor."
I stared out over the city skyline, lips pursed. "I can feel it, you know. He's intrigued. He wants more. I'm in his head."
"You just have to stay there."
I turned to face him. "What's the next step?"
"Now you wait." Liam's voice grew serious. "He'll reach out. When he does, don't give in too quickly. Keep him chasing."
"You act like this is a game."
He looked me in the eye. "It's war, Alina. You just happen to be holding the prettiest weapon."
My throat tightened slightly, but I nodded. I knew what I signed up for. I knew what it meant to be a Lantel in the middle of a Blackwood war. This wasn't about fun anymore. It was survival. Control. Retribution.
"Alright," I said, turning to leave. "Let me know when you want me to push further."
He stopped me. "Alina."
"Yeah?"
He walked closer, something in his expression softening. "Be careful."
I smiled. "Always."
As I descended the stairs, I felt it in my chest—this slow, burning thrill I hadn't expected. Marcus was dangerous, yes. But I wasn't weak. I could handle danger. Hell, I was danger in six-inch boots and a smirk.
Let the next round begin.