Chapter 12: Midnight Pursuit

Sebastian’s current state of mind could be described in one phrase—

Absolute hell.

He was so damn annoyed.

In his thirty-four years of life, he had never felt this agitated.

The tooth mark on his lip was still faintly burning, a nagging reminder of what had just happened.

He raised the back of his hand to wipe his mouth, but even that felt like a pointless gesture, as if wiping it could make him forget it ever happened.

Two grown men.

Biting lips.

Utterly disgusting.

He looked up at Lucian, his gaze thick with disdain.

"Have you even finished growing up yet?" he squeezed the words out through gritted teeth. "Is this what you spend your time learning?"

Lucian blinked in surprise.

Then, he laughed.

He didn't even know what he was laughing at; he just found this man incredibly interesting.

"What's so funny?" Sebastian’s brow furrowed.

Lucian didn't answer. Instead, he pulled the man even tighter into his embrace.

"What are you doing?" Sebastian struggled slightly, but he didn't dare exert force with his waist. He was immobilized.

"Just holding you for a bit," Lucian said, his tone perfectly matter-of-fact. "Since we’ve already shared a bite anyway."

Sebastian took a deep breath.

He wanted to throw a punch, but his hands were still pinned. He wanted to move his waist, but his back wouldn't let him. He wanted to scream, but people were already starting to look.

In the restaurant, several tables of diners were stealing glances in their direction.

The expression on Sebastian’s face stiffened for a fraction of a second.

Then, he forced a smile.

It wasn't a smile for Lucian; it was for the strangers watching them.

A professional, flawless smile.

"Cooperate," he hissed under his breath, the words coming through a forced grin. "People are watching."

Lucian paused, then the realization hit him.

He nearly burst out laughing.

This man—even at a time like this, he was still worried about his reputation.

He cooperatively adjusted his posture, one hand continuing to shield Sebastian’s waist while the other released the man's wrist to gently pat his back.

"Good boy," he said, a hint of a smile in his voice.

Sebastian’s fake smile faltered.

Good boy?

Good boy, my ass.

He cursed Lucian’s entire ancestry in his head.

Wait until my back is better. I’m going to end him.

Lucian had no idea what the man was thinking; he only knew that the body in his arms was as stiff as a stone, even with that perfect, artificial smile plastered on his face.

He found it even more amusing now.

His hand stroked Sebastian’s back gently, like he was smoothing down the fur of a ruffled cat.

"Stop being so angry," he said into Sebastian’s shoulder, his voice light. "You'll make yourself sick, and then I’ll be the one stuck taking care of you again."

Sebastian took one deep breath, then another.

The curious diners finally looked away and returned to their meals.

The smile on Sebastian’s face vanished instantly.

"Let go."

"No."

"Lucian."

"Yeah?"

Sebastian stared at him, his eyes like cold blades.

Lucian stared back, eyes filled with amusement and something else entirely.

He leaned in a bit closer.

Sebastian’s body went rigid.

"If you keep glaring at me," Lucian’s voice dropped, carrying a hint of a threat, "I'm going to kiss you."

Sebastian was stunned.

"What did you say?"

"I said," Lucian repeated every word slowly, so close his breath fanned across the man's face, "keep glaring at me, and I’ll kiss you."

Sebastian’s face flushed red.

It wasn't a blush of embarrassment; it was pure rage.

He was livid.

In all his thirty-four years, he had never been threatened like this.

"You wouldn't dare—"

Before the words were out, Lucian moved another inch closer.

Sebastian shut his mouth instantly.

They remained locked in a gaze, so close they could see their own reflections in each other’s eyes.

After a long while, Sebastian looked away.

"Just you wait," he squeezed the words out through his teeth.

Lucian was in a fantastic mood. He loosened his grip slightly but didn't let go entirely, keeping his hand on Sebastian’s waist to support him.

"I’ll wait," he said. "Anyway, until your back is better, I'm going to hold you every single day."

Sebastian said nothing.

He simply stared at the steak in front of him, silently plotting that the first thing he’d do once he recovered was to beat this punk until he was crawling on the floor.

——————

As they left the restaurant, Sebastian shoved Lucian’s hand away.

"I can walk by myself."

Lucian stood there, watching the man’s stubbornness, utterly speechless.

"Is that really necessary? You're being so dramatic."

Sebastian didn't look back, supporting his waist as he moved forward slowly. Every step was agonizingly slow and cautious, but he refused to let Lucian help him.

Lucian watched him for two seconds, sighed, and followed.

He didn't reach out again, but he walked right beside him, ready to catch him the second he faltered.

The parking lot wasn't far, but Sebastian insisted on walking the whole way. By the time he reached the car, fine beads of sweat had broken out on his temples, yet his face remained a mask of cold indifference.

Lucian pulled open the passenger door, helped him inside, and circled to the other side to get in.

Seats were adjusted, cushions were tucked in, and the seatbelt was clicked.

Neither of them spoke.

The car pulled out of the parking lot and joined the nighttime traffic.

Sebastian leaned against the headrest, eyes closed. The tooth mark on his lip had faded, but that strange sensation lingered. He raised his hand to wipe his mouth again, then immediately felt like an idiot for doing it.

Lucian stole a glance at him, his lips twitching, but he said nothing.

The cabin was silent, save for the hum of the engine.

They hadn't driven far when Lucian noticed a black car in the rearview mirror, tailing them closely.

He frowned and changed lanes.

The car followed suit.

He changed lanes again; the car followed once more.

"We're being followed," he said.

Sebastian opened his eyes and checked the mirror.

The black sedan was following very closely, its headlights blindingly bright. He couldn't see the driver, but the license plate—

He recognized it.

It was Marcus’s car.

He had just seen him in the office that morning, and now he was being stalked at night.

Sebastian’s brow furrowed.

"What is he following us for?" Lucian asked.

"I don't know," Sebastian said tonelessly. "Maybe I leaked too much dirt on him and he's feeling petty."

Lucian gave him a look.

He saw the car close the gap further in the mirror, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened.

"Hold on tight."

He floored the accelerator, the car surging forward into the fast lane.

The car behind them sped up as well, biting onto their tail.

Sebastian’s hand instinctively gripped the handle.

He knew Marcus too well. He was the type who smiled to your face but was capable of anything behind your back. The leaks today were enough to ruin him; with his personality, he wouldn't let this go easily.

"What can he actually do?" Lucian asked.

"I don't know," Sebastian’s voice remained calm. "He might even try to ram us."

Just as the words left his mouth, the car behind them lurched forward, its bumper nearly touching their rear.

Lucian cursed, jerking the steering wheel to change lanes.

The car behind followed the maneuver.

Lucian changed lanes again; the car followed again.

On the midnight streets, the two cars engaged in a high-speed chase through several intersections.

Sebastian’s knuckles were white as he gripped the handle. His waist began to throb from the jolting, but he gritted his teeth and didn't make a sound.

Lucian checked the mirror, then glanced at him.

He saw the man's pale face, the hand clutching the handle, and the tension in his body.

A twinge of worry hit him.

"Adjust the seat," he said.

Sebastian didn't catch his meaning. "What?"

In the next second, the seatback reclined rapidly.

Sebastian leaned back, and the pressure on his waist eased instantly. He was stunned, and before he could react, a hand reached over and gripped his.

"Don't worry," Lucian’s voice came from beside him, uncharacteristically serious. "Hold on. I've got this."

Sebastian looked down at the hand holding his.

The knuckles were well-defined, and the grip was warm and powerful.

He opened his mouth to say something, but the words died in his throat.

"Protect your back," Lucian added. "Don't let me get distracted."

Sebastian was silent for a second, then his other hand went to his waist to shield it.

Only then did Lucian return his focus to the road.

The car was still in pursuit, but it was as if Lucian had suddenly become a different person. He maneuvered the SUV through traffic with surgical precision. After a few sharp turns and a well-timed red light, the car behind was finally left behind.

Lucian didn't stop. He drove for two more blocks, turned into a side street, and finally slowed to a halt.

He turned off the engine and looked over at Sebastian.

"Are you alright?"

Sebastian was leaning back in the reclined seat. His face was even paler than before, and sweat had dampened his hair. His hand was still pressed against his waist, his grip tight, his breathing ragged.

"I'm fine," he whispered.

Lucian stared at him for two seconds, unbuckled his seatbelt, and pushed his door open.

He circled to the passenger side, opened the door, and leaned in.

"Come on. Slowly now."

One hand supported Sebastian’s waist while the other held his shoulder, easing him up bit by bit. Sebastian leaned against him, his breathing heavy, but he didn't pull away.

Lucian helped him out of the car and over to the sidewalk.

The street was quiet, with only the occasional passing car. A taxi stand with glowing lights was visible nearby.

"We’re taking a taxi back," Lucian said. "Just to be safe."

Sebastian said nothing, leaning his weight against the boy as he was guided toward the stand.

When they hailed a taxi, Lucian pulled open the rear door and helped Sebastian inside before getting in from the other side.

"Take it slow, driver."

The driver glanced at them in the mirror, nodded, and slowly pulled away.

The cabin fell silent.

Sebastian leaned against the seat, eyes closed. The heater was running high, but his body was still a bit stiff.

Lucian looked at him, shifted closer, and reached out to wrap an arm around the man's shoulders, drawing him in.

"Lean on me," he said, his tone uncharacteristically soft. "It'll be more comfortable."

Sebastian opened his eyes and glanced at him.

Lucian wasn't looking at him; he was staring straight ahead, but his arm was holding the man steady.

Sebastian was silent for two seconds before resting his head on Lucian’s shoulder.

It wasn't because he wanted to lean on him.

It was because the circumstances were limited, and it truly was more comfortable this way.

That was what he told himself.

Lucian looked down at the man resting on his shoulder, his lips twitching slightly.

He said nothing, merely tightening his arm a fraction more to protect the man's waist.

The taxi drove slowly through the midnight streets, heading toward home.