Darling, You Lose

Chapter 34: The Trap is Set

“Everything is in place,” Alexander says, his voice low but firm, as he glances over the map laid out on the table in front of him. His fingers trace the lines of the streets, the routes, the exits. Every detail needs to be perfect. Every move has to be calculated. There’s no room for mistakes now.

Nolan stands across from him, nodding, his face grim. “We’re ready. Just say the word, and we’ll get her out before the ceremony even starts. She won’t be able to escape this time.”

Alexander looks up from the map, meeting Nolan’s eyes. “We can’t mess this up. If Rafael finds out—” His voice trails off as he swallows the thought. He doesn’t want to think about the consequences. He knows what Rafael is capable of. He’s seen it too many times. But this time, it’s different. This time, they have a chance. A real chance to get Elena out of his grasp.

The plan has been set in motion. Everything is ready—the timing, the route, the team of people who will help Elena escape from the mansion without anyone noticing. They’ve even gotten their hands on a getaway car that won’t be traced. The plan is airtight. Or, at least, that’s what they hope.

“We just need to be careful,” Alexander adds, running a hand through his hair. “Rafael’s no fool. He’s got eyes everywhere. He’s probably already onto us.”

Nolan tilts his head slightly, considering the weight of Alexander’s words. “You’re right. We can’t be too reckless. But this is the only shot we’ve got, man. Elena doesn’t have much time left. If we wait any longer, it’s over.”

Alexander doesn’t argue. He knows Nolan’s right. They’ve run out of time. The wedding is only days away, and each hour feels like a ticking bomb. He can’t let Elena be trapped with Rafael any longer. He can’t let her marry him.

“I’ll stay in the shadows,” Alexander says, voice steady but with an edge of determination. “I won’t get close to her until we’re ready to move. We can’t risk her seeing me. Not yet.”

Nolan nods. “We’ll handle it from here. You’ve done your part. Just trust us now.”

Alexander exhales deeply, the weight of everything hanging on his shoulders. “I trust you,” he says, though a part of him still worries. It’s hard to trust anyone in this game. He’s learned that lesson the hard way. But he’s running out of options, and Elena’s safety comes first.

As they discuss the final details, a sense of urgency fills the room. They’re moving fast now, making sure no one can get in the way of Elena’s escape. There’s no room for hesitation. Alexander knows if they miss this chance, he might never see her again.

Meanwhile, in the shadows of the mansion, Rafael’s men are already on high alert. One of them, a tall, broad-shouldered man named Victor, leans against the wall outside a room where he overhears a conversation from the other side of the hall. The voices are muffled, but there’s no mistaking the words.

“Everything is in place,” Alexander’s voice reaches his ears, just faintly, but it’s enough for Victor to catch the meaning. His instincts kick in immediately. He knows exactly who Alexander is and what he’s planning.

Victor listens closer, straining to hear the details, his hand instinctively reaching for the earpiece tucked beneath his collar. He knows that if he hears the full plan, it’ll be a game changer. A chance to stop everything before it even starts.

But he can’t risk walking away without hearing more. The tension in the air is thick, and he knows the stakes are high. If this is what he thinks it is, it’s more than just a small escape plan—it’s their only chance to stop Elena from leaving Rafael’s grasp. And he can’t let that happen.

As he leans in closer, trying to catch every word, he hears Nolan’s voice, clearer now. “We’re moving tonight. Once we get her out, we’ll have an hour before Rafael notices she’s missing. We can’t afford a single mistake.”

Victor freezes. The words hit him like a punch to the gut. This is happening. Elena is leaving Rafael. And no one is supposed to know.

He pulls back from the door just as he hears Alexander’s final words, “We’ll take her to the safe house. No one will find her there. Not even Rafael.”

His heart races as the weight of the situation sinks in. He’s just overheard a plot to steal Elena away, and Rafael will never let that happen. This changes everything. If Rafael knows what’s coming, they’ll have to act fast. The plan might be perfect, but it won’t matter if they don’t know where the enemy is.

Victor’s hand moves quickly to his earpiece, and he speaks in a low, urgent voice. “It’s Victor. I’ve overheard Alexander’s plan. He’s moving Elena tonight. We need to stop them before they get her out.”