Chapter 96

The buzz in the air after the Dragon's victory was infectious. The team had pulled off an incredible win, thanks to Lucas finally making it to the game in time.

Everyone was in high spirits, basking in the glory of our triumph. But I don't think anyone was as excited as James.

"Hell yeah! Drinks on me tonight, guys!" James cheered for his teammates.

All of them began to holler before Lucas stepped in, making all of them go silent.

"Nobody is drinking anything tonight," Lucas said like a stern father. All the players booed him.

"Come on, captain!" One of the guys pouted. "We just kicked ass out there!"

"Yeah, we all deserve to celebrate!" Sam shouted. "Especially you, Lucas. You're the one who helped us get there."

They all batted their lashes and kept chanting 'please' before Lucas finally caved in.

"Okay, okay. Fine, you guys can go," Lucas said, leaving all the players cheering.

James high-fived Sam just as Lucas said, "Except for you, James."

James sagged his shoulders, stomping his foot like a little kid. "Whaaat? But why?"

"We need to talk," Lucas said with a pointed brow.

As if remembering Lucas had been missing for the first quarter of the game, James's giddy expression deflated.

"Shit, yeah."

"Shit, yeah is right," I said with a snort.

Lucas led James and me back to his private locker room where it was much quieter and less crowded. I couldn't wait any longer to hear Lucas's side of the story. I needed to understand what had happened and why he had been absent when the team needed him the most.

Just as we were about to shut the door, Victoria stuck her head in, looking at all of us.

"Hey, do you guys’ mind if I listen in?"

"No," James said gesturing for her to come in. "Close the door behind you."

"Victoria's parents called her before the game, and they said Kendrick was punishing you for ending the engagement," I explained to Lucas.

He nodded. "I figured he might do that. Try to right some kind of wrong in his own twisted way."

"Sooo spill the beans, Lucas," James prompted, crossing his arms over his chest. "Where on earth were you during the game? And what on earth did Kendrick do to you?"

Lucas leaned against the wall, weariness and determination in his eyes. "Long story short, my father left me stuck in my own version of a horror movie."

My eyebrows shot up. "Horror movie? You mean Kendrick?"

James chimed in with a chuckle. "Yeah, dude, Shana here's been imagining Kendrick as the serial killer in a horror movie."

"Well, in that case, I guess I'm the hero who breaks down doors and knocks out security guards." Lucas let out a half-laugh, half-sigh.

My eyes widened in disbelief.

"You... broke down a door? Knocked out a security guard? Are you serious?"

Lucas's expression turned more serious as he recounted the events. "Yeah, I tried to leave for the game, but my dad locked me in my bedroom closet and stationed a guard outside. As if that would stop me. I had to use my Alpha strength to break free."

"That's... that's insane!" I was horrified. "How could he do something like that?"

"What I wanna know," James started, "is how he thought that would stop you? I mean you're like six-foot-three and pure muscle. You can easily knock a door down without your Alpha strength."

"I think he just wanted to anger me," Lucas explained. "I don't think he'd risk physically hurting me because he knows I'm the only heir he has."

"I don't know about that..." I said cautiously. "Kendrick can be super unpredictable when he's angry."

"That's an understatement," Victoria added. "He transforms into a different person when he's angry... Actually, now that I think of it, has he ever been happy?"

That was a great question.

"Well, props for the dramatic escape, man." James gave Lucas a first bump. "I can't believe you went all kung-fu on that security guard's ass."

"I didn't go 'kung-fu' on anyone," Lucas said. "I just knocked him out."

"Sounds pretty kung-fu to me," James shrugged. "But that aside, you could've been seriously hurt if Kendrick would've decided to take things to a more extreme level."

"Thanks, guys." Lucas grinned at James's humor. The tension in the air dissipated slightly. "And yeah, I know it was risky, but I had to get to the game. Thankfully, my father wasn't home when I finally got free."

"Yeah, who knows what kind of crazy shit he would've pulled then," James said.

Victoria's expression turned steely. "I can't believe Kendrick would go to those lengths, but then again I can't be too surprised. He's always keeping people on their toes—even in all his business ventures."

"I don't like any of this," I explained, looking at Lucas with worry. "Can't you see this is only the start? I don't want to sound like him or tell you what to, or not to do, but he can't be trusted."

"I'll be fine, Shana. He won't hurt me anymore." Lucas's eyes met mine with the same concern. "He can't hurt me anymore. I'm staying with Grandma Jo, so I'll hardly ever see him."

I couldn't shake off my unease, though.

Kendrick had been making threats even when he wasn't upset with Lucas. I could only imagine that anger was worse now.

Nothing was going his way and he felt like he had lost control of Lucas. He's spiraling — he has to be.

Kendrick locking Lucas in a closet is the perfect example of that insanity.

"Are you sure about that, Lucas?" I asked. "You might think you're safe right now, but Kendrick seems like he won't stop until he gets what he wants."

"I hate to say this, bro, but I agree with Shana." James's knuckles clenched, his voice edged with anger. "This isn't the end of it. He'll keep lashing out until you're back under his thumb. You know how he is. He doesn't give up."

"Guys, I appreciate your concern, but I've got it under control." Lucas held up his hands. "I'm not going to let him dictate my life anymore. I'm finally taking your advice and learning how to do things my way. I'll just keep my distance from him, and he won't be able to hurt me."

I hoped Lucas was right, but how long could he stay away from Kendrick? I mean, he was his father after all, and he had to be involved in business in some capacity. That meant he would be seeing Kendrick sometime in the future...

This couldn't just be over that easily.

"But Kendrick's a wild card. Who knows what he's plotting next?" I spoke. "With this, we had no idea what was going on. You walked into the lion's den willingly... and we couldn't even help you.

"I didn't need your help this time," Lucas said. "I had it under control."

James stepped up. "If Kendrick's messing with you, Lucas, he's messing with all of us. If he does anything again, we'll be there for you."

Lucas's eyes met mine, and there was a silent understanding between us. I nodded, agreeing with James's statement.

We were in this together, ready to face whatever challenges Kendrick was planning to throw our way.