Vincent watched Tyrone's car disappear down the street before his hands finally unclenched, every muscle in his body slowly relaxing.
Tyrone was right—before he could bargain for Alicia, he first had to deal with the threat from the Lawson family. Only then would he have any leverage at all.
---
Hotel.
Alicia followed quietly behind Tyrone, obedient as ever.
Just before stepping into the elevator, Tyrone glanced back at her. She kept her head down, lost in thought.
"What's on your mind?" he asked, his tone casual.
Alicia hesitated, then spoke up in a soft whisper. "Could you maybe give me a fake bracelet to wear instead? Just to be safe?"
Tyrone chuckled. "If this one breaks, I'll get you another. The Lynch family's jewelry collection is hardly limited to just this piece."
Alicia looked at him, not sharing his amusement. She muttered under her breath, "Feels like having a knife pressed to my throat. Doesn't really make a difference."
"You won't need to pay for it if it breaks," Tyrone replied, taking her hand and leading her back to their room.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, they ran straight into Vincent and Mina.
What a coincidence. Same hotel, same exclusive floor, and—of course—adjacent rooms.
The moment Mina saw Alicia and Tyrone, her face clouded over. Instinctively, she clung tighter to Vincent's arm.
Tyrone flashed Vincent a grin and gave a nod of greeting, then unlocked the door and pulled Alicia inside.
The door had barely closed before Tyrone pressed Alicia against it and kissed her, hard.
Alicia blinked in shock, barely having time to react before he scooped her up, his arms secure around her legs.
"Ah!" she gasped, startled by the sudden lift, her head bumping lightly against the door as her heart pounded faster.
The thought that Vincent and Mina might still be in the hallway made Alicia panic; she slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle any sound.
Tyrone, ever the tease, bent down and bit gently at her collarbone.
It didn't hurt, but it tickled unbearably. Alicia bit her lip, trying desperately not to make a noise. Tyrone, noticing her struggle, only continued.
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