CHECKMATE.
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Chapter 56 – Checkmate
The moment Lancaster smirked, Vincent knew—he'd already lost.
"You're hesitating," Lancaster murmured, tilting his head. "That's not like you."
Vincent said nothing.
Because for the first time in a long time—
He had no idea what to do.
There were too many of them. Too many weapons, too many eyes watching his every move.
Cain shifted beside him, muscles coiled, ready to strike. Zane, too—every inch of him tense, waiting for Vincent's signal.
But there was no signal.
Because Vincent knew—if they fought, they'd die.
And Lancaster?
Lancaster knew that he knew.
"That's the problem with you, Vincent." Lancaster's voice was smooth, condescending. "You don't think far enough ahead." He sighed. "I, however? I knew you'd try something like this."
A flick of his fingers.
And suddenly—
A gun was at Cain's temple.
A heartbeat of silence.
Then—
Lancaster's smile widened.
"Now, let's have a conversation."
Vincent's stomach twisted.
Cain didn't move. Didn't flinch. But Vincent could see the tension in his jaw, the flicker of fuck—this might actually be it in his eyes.
Zane inhaled sharply. "You son of a—"
"Ah, ah." Lancaster's tone was mocking. "Careful now."
The man holding Cain didn't press the trigger.
Not yet.
But Vincent knew he would.
All it would take was one wrong move.
Lancaster tilted his head. "So, tell me, Vincent." His smile sharpened. "How badly do you want to live?"
Silence.
A suffocating, deadly silence.
Zane tensed beside him. "Vincent—"
Vincent's mind raced.
They couldn't fight their way out. Couldn't run.
Which meant—
There was only one way to end this.
Vincent exhaled slowly. Then—
He met Lancaster's gaze.
And—
He smiled.
Zane's breath hitched. Cain's eyes widened.
And Lancaster?
His smirk faltered.
Vincent took a slow step forward. "You think you've already won." His voice was quiet. Steady. "But there's one thing you forgot."
Lancaster raised a brow. "Oh?"
Vincent's fingers twitched near his belt.
"Yeah."
And then—
He moved.
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