Chapter 97: Chapter 97 Vigilante

Liam felt Lilith’s breasts press against his chest through the silky thin fabric of her nightgown as she wrapped her arms around him. Even though the gown was from the previous night, her perfume hadn’t faded—it clung to her like a second skin, a hypnotic scent that made Liam wonder if he was dreaming. For a brief moment, time slowed. Her body was soft and warm, and for someone as deadly as she was, this rare moment of affection was enough to completely disarm him.

But just as quickly, Lilith pulled away from the hug. Her expression shifted from softness to satisfaction, a glint of amusement in her golden feline eyes.

“You did a really good job,” she said, her voice smooth as silk. “The chaos won’t trace back to me. To the world, it’ll look like the Crimson Hand pissed off the wrong people.”

Liam blinked in disbelief. He was still trying to wrap his head around what had just happened. The way she messaged him—GET YOUR ASS HERE—he thought she was furious, ready to tear him apart. Instead, she called him over just to hug him?

“This is so not you,” Liam muttered under his breath.

Lilith smiled, hearing him. “What, a woman can’t be happy her problems are being handled for her?” She returned to her chair and crossed her legs, the gown shifting dangerously with the motion. Liam forced himself to look away.

Then her tone grew more serious. “The higher-ups have been alerted. After last night, they’ve sent people to investigate both our gangs. They’re not happy about the disruption. We’re going to be summoned tomorrow for questioning.”

Liam’s brows furrowed. “Higher-ups?”

Lilith raised an eyebrow. “I thought I explained that to you on your first day. You really don’t remember, do you?”

He scratched the back of his head. “Vaguely.”

She sighed. “Small gangs like ours don’t run free. We’re all under the watchful eye of the big syndicates—the ones that actually control the streets. They keep the balance. Make sure no one gets too greedy or too noisy. That’s why I couldn’t openly start a war with the Crimson Hand, no matter how much I wanted to. But with you…”

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, eyes locked on him. “With you, I have a ghost. Someone who can do the dirty work without attracting heat. That’s why I told you to keep your identity hidden. But now?”

Liam looked up. “Now what?”

“Now I want you to come with me tomorrow,” she said. “To the meeting.”

He blinked, surprised. “Wouldn’t that reveal I’m with the Black Lotus?”

She stood again and walked closer, her presence overwhelming, her voice steady and firm. “The moment Boss finds out you’re with me, he won’t dare touch you. Not even a hair on your head. He’ll understand you’re off-limits. Beside they don’t even know you burnt their warehouse. To them you’re just a kid who joined a gang for protection.”

Liam wasn’t sure if that was reassuring or terrifying. Still, he nodded slowly. “Alright. Tomorrow then.”

“Good,” Lilith said, her expression softening just slightly again. “Now go. Keep a low profile until then.”

Liam turned to leave, returning the duffle bag he had brought with him. He entered the elevator, and as the doors began to close, he glanced back at her one last time. She sat there, graceful and regal, her black gown shimmering under the dim lights of her penthouse. It was a sight burned into his memory.

As the elevator descended, he exhaled deeply. Outside, the city was quiet. Cool wind brushed against his skin as he exited the building. He stopped a taxi, hopped in, and gave his address.

Upstairs, from the massive windows of her penthouse, Lilith watched him silently. Her golden eyes followed the taxi as it disappeared into the night, a soft smirk forming on her lips.

Things were falling into place.

And Liam? He was her sharpest weapon now.

—-

Vanessa stirred awake, a soft yawn escaping her lips as she stretched beneath her covers. She didn’t know why, but she had slept like a baby, peaceful and uninterrupted. For the first time in weeks, her sleep had been deep. As she reached for her phone on the nightstand, her eyes widened.

Twenty missed calls.

“Shit,” she cursed under her breath, sitting up immediately.

Every one of those calls was from the station.

Throwing her covers aside, Vanessa rushed into the bathroom, quickly freshening up. She didn’t even bother with breakfast. Within minutes, she was dressed in her police uniform, adjusting the belt on her waist and the holster over her hip before grabbing her keys and hurrying out the door.

The moment she got close to the station, the road was packed. People were everywhere. Reporters with cameras, vans, and microphones were blocking the path, all shouting questions and waving for attention.

“What the hell…” Vanessa muttered, parking her car down the block.

Pushing through the crowd with a frown on her face, she forced her way to the front entrance. Her badge helped get her through, but just barely. As she passed the glass doors, the chaotic buzz from the crowd faded behind her, only to be replaced by quiet murmurs and hushed gossip from her fellow officers.

She caught bits and pieces.

“Four labs… all bursted.”

“Looks like vigilante work.”

“One man, maybe?”

Vanessa’s brows pulled together.

Vigilante?

She remembered yesterday. Liam. He had looked at her and said, “Check the news when you wake up.” She hadn’t thought much of it then. But now…

She turned toward the nearest television, mounted in the corner of the room. Footage from the night played—burning warehouses, chaos, censored bodies being loaded into body bags.

Her eyes narrowed. “Did… did Liam do all this? Alone?”

Before she could think further, the heavy sound of boots echoed from the hallway. Chief Josh Michelle burst from his office, his gut leading the way, his thick moustache twitching with every word.

“Vanessa! There you are! Get a car ready—we’re doing patrols around those damn warehouses. See if we can find anything the news vultures missed.”

Vanessa blinked, jaw tightening slightly.

She wanted to ask, “Why me?” But the last thing she needed was to trigger Josh’s usual lectures—or worse, more excuses to linger around her.

Instead, she muttered under her breath, “What the hell does this have to do with me…” and turned around to ready the car.

—

Meanwhile, Liam had just reached home. The moment he stepped through the front door, his senses were hit by an aroma so inviting it made his stomach growl.

Garlic butter shrimp pasta.

His nose twitched. He could already smell the perfectly sautéed garlic, the butter-soaked shrimp, and the light herbs in the air. It smelled heavenly.

He walked toward the kitchen, his footsteps silent. As he rounded the corner, the sight before him made him pause.

Ann.

She was at the stove, gently plating the food. She wore a tight pair of jeans that hugged her full, curvy hips perfectly. Her shirt was tied above her waist in a cute knot, leaving the lower half of her bare back exposed. Her skin glowed under the kitchen light, soft and smooth. With every movement she made, the jeans shifted, emphasizing her round, shapely ass. The shirt tugged slightly against her full chest as she leaned forward. It was unintentional—but devastating.

Liam didn’t say a word.

He simply walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her slim waist, pressing himself gently against her.

Ann let out a soft gasp. She instinctively gripped the large wooden spoon in her hand like a weapon—until she caught a familiar scent and warmth.

“Liam,” she muttered.

She turned her head slightly, smirking at him from the corner of her eye.

“I could’ve hit you with the spoon, you know.”

Liam chuckled, his chin resting on her shoulder.

“And I would’ve taken the hit gladly, if it meant holding you like this.”

Ann rolled her eyes but didn’t push him away. In fact, she leaned into him slightly. His hands stayed firmly on her waist, thumbs caressing the bare strip of her back. He inhaled her scent—the faint vanilla of her lotion mixed with the smell of shrimp and herbs. It was addicting.

“Food’s ready,” she said, her voice soft, almost playful.

“You sure I can’t have dessert first?” he teased, leaning forward to nip her earlobe.

She gave him a playful shove with her hip. “Behave. You’ve been out all night. You need to eat.”

“I could eat you first.”

“Liam!”

He laughed, finally letting go of her waist and taking a seat at the kitchen table. Ann followed, serving the dish like it was second nature. Despite everything, there was a warmth between them—a comfort. The kind that could only come from mutual trust.

Liam stared at her as she sat across from him. That same graceful elegance in every movement. That beauty that felt too unreal for this world.

As she took a bite of her food, her eyes flicked up and caught him staring again.

“What?” she asked, raising a brow.

“Nothing,” he said, smirking. “Just admiring what I came home to.”

Ann blushed, but only for a second. Then she smiled.

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