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Chapter 173 – Liam POV
The low hum of the office lights buzzed above as Liam leaned back in the leather seat behind his desk, mind working in overdrive. The moon had barely risen, casting a blue hue over the skyline beyond the tinted glass walls of his high-rise. The city below was a beast—thrumming, alive, dangerous.
Just like Marcus.
He had underestimated Marcus once, four years ago. Never again.
Liam's fingers tapped rhythmically against the edge of his desk as he stared at the open file in front of him—the girl he had planned to use. She was beautiful, no doubt. Smart enough. Trained, yes. But something about her felt… off. Not cold enough. Not bold enough. Not unpredictable enough.
He needed fire. He needed the kind of woman who could tempt Marcus into forgetting logic.
"Boss?" his assistant's voice chimed in over the intercom. "Your cousins are here."
Liam straightened, smoothing down his suit. "Send them in."
The door opened seconds later, and Aiden strolled in with his usual calm swagger. Beside him was Alina.
Alina Lantel.
She wasn't what you'd expect from a girl who grew up in wealth. She didn't walk in; she owned the space like it was built for her. Tight leather black jeans, a blood-red blouse, and a smirk that could cut a man in half. Her hair which she dyed pink two weeks ago has now being turned into her original long natural honey-blonde hair curled around her face like she'd stepped out of a dream—and she knew it.
"Well, well," she said with a wink. "Liam Blackwood, the elusive cousin finally calls."
Liam arched a brow. "You make it sound like I owe you an apology."
"Maybe you do." She dropped herself into one of the chairs in front of his desk without being told to. " It's been months. Not even a birthday call?"
Aiden groaned. "Can we not guilt trip the man? He didn't invite us here to chat about cupcakes and candles."
Liam smirked slightly. "No, I didn't."
His eyes moved from Aiden to Alina. He could already feel something shifting in his gut. There was a sharpness to her. A calculated defiance. She didn't just want to be part of the game—she wanted to win it.
"I have a job," Liam said, tone sharp now, the room thickening with the weight of his words. "For someone skilled in distraction. Flirtation. Performance."
Alina leaned forward slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"What kind of job?" Aiden asked, but Liam didn't answer him.
He watched Alina carefully.
"I already picked someone for the task," Liam continued, voice slower now. "But now I'm thinking maybe I picked the wrong woman."
"Oh?" Alina said, her voice sweet, dangerous. "And what makes you think I'd even be interested in whatever shady plan you've cooked up?"
Liam studied her. "Because you like a challenge. You like danger more than you admit. And you're tired of being underestimated."
She blinked—just once—but Liam saw it.
Touché.
He walked over to a small bar cart in the corner, poured himself a glass of bourbon, then turned to face them.
"I need someone to get close to a man," he said simply. "Get into his world. His bed, if necessary. I need eyes, ears—and access."
Aiden stiffened. "WHAT!!!!! ,What kind of man?"
Liam ignored the question.
Alina tilted her head, her voice low and teasing. "So let me get this straight. You want me to seduce some creep, play spy girl, and what—report back to you like your sexy little informant?"
Liam's lips curved. "Something like that."
She rose from her seat slowly, walking toward him. Her movements were deliberate. Controlled.
"Who was the girl you picked before?" she asked.
"A trained escort. She knows how to play men. Knows how to lie."
Alina was a foot away from him now, her scent drifting into his space—sweet, crisp, intoxicating.
"Then why even consider me?" she asked.
Liam met her eyes. "Because she doesn't have your fire."
Without warning, Alina reached for his bourbon glass and brought it to her lips. She took a slow sip, not breaking eye contact, then set it down on the bar cart behind him.
"She doesn't have my instincts either," Alina whispered. "Whoever he is, I can handle him."
Liam said nothing, but the decision had already clicked into place in his mind.
She was it.
This wasn't a game to her. It was a performance. And she had just stolen the lead role with one simple move.
"You're hired," Liam said.
Aiden groaned. "Wait, what? Are you seriously dragging her into one of your... secret rich-boy revenge missions?"
Liam smiled. "Something like that."
"Do I at least get to know who this guy is?" Alina asked.
"In time," Liam replied. "For now, all you need to know is that I'll be training you personally. And when we're done, Marcus won't know what hit him."
Alina gave a sharp grin. "Marcus, huh? Sounds like a dick."
"You have no idea," Liam muttered.
She turned toward the door, then glanced back. "Hope you know what you're doing, Liam."
"I do now," he said. "I just found the perfect weapon."
And as she sauntered out, hips swaying like she already knew she'd won the war, Liam allowed himself the faintest smirk.
The game had just changed.
And Marcus?
He was about to get burned.