Chapter 160
Every ounce of common sense told Lexi to get out of the car immediately. She had no business getting caught up in a dispute between Sebastian and Frank, especially when their dealings could turn deadly.
Yet her body felt rooted to the seat. She couldn’t bring herself to move.
In the end, her feelings won out over reason.
Sebastian’s lips curved into a smile. He locked the doors, started the engine, and followed Frank’s bright red sports car down the road.
Frank led them to a secluded little tavern tucked away in the mountains, surrounded by picturesque scenery and flowing water.
Despite the peaceful surroundings, Lexi couldn’t shake her unease. Frank’s bodyguards were heavily armed, and their presence alone was enough to set her nerves on edge.
She moved closer to Sebastian and nudged him with her elbow.
“Is Connor waiting outside with backup, just like last time?” she whispered.
Sebastian chuckled softly. Wrapping his long arm around her slender waist, he leaned toward her ear.
“Sorry to disappoint you, sweetheart. It’s just you and me this time p>
Lexi’s eyes widened. She stared at him in disbelief.
She couldn’t fight to save her life. If things turned violent, she would be completely useless!
A faint smile danced in Sebastian’s eyes, warm and captivating as a spring breeze.
“If a fight breaks out, get in the car and stay there. Don’t come out under any circumstances p>
His deep, velvety voice offered her a measure of reassurance.
Frank led his men out of the tavern, and Sebastian followed, keeping Lexi’s hand firmly clasped in his.
The afternoon sun blazed overhead. Lexi narrowed her eyes against the harsh light and raised a hand to shield her face, hoping to avoid getting overheated.
“Mr. Blackwood, I assume you understand why I invited you here p>
Frank’s smile gradually disappeared, his expression turning stern.
“You’ve been acquiring my flower fields on a massive scale without so much as asking my permission. Did you think I was nobody p>
Lexi could practically smell the hostility in the air. Her fingers tightened around Sebastian’s hand until her knuckles turned white.
“I came here to discuss the same matter,” Sebastian replied coldly. He moved Lexi behind him, shielding her with his body. “We can negotiate a reasonable deal for the flower fields. But if you’re planning to make an outrageous demand, don’t expect me to play along p>
For the first time that day, Lexi felt as though the old Sebastian had returned—the domineering, ruthless man who never backed down from a challenge.
“Your offer is far too low, Mr. Blackwood. What do you take my flower fields for? A patch of weeds p>
Frank stepped closer, his voice dripping with contempt.
The flowers grown on those fields required skilled cultivators and meticulous care. The varieties used in perfume production, in particular, demanded special attention to preserve their quality.
But Frank’s asking price was absurd.
Lexi suspected he wasn’t fighting for the workers’ interests at all. He was simply using the flower fields as an excuse to satisfy his own ambitions.
“Then what do you propose?” Sebastian asked evenly, meeting Frank’s gaze without flinching.
Frank let out a cold laugh and pointed toward the winding mountain road ahead.
“That road has eighteen sharp turns. Loose rocks can come crashing down at any moment, and one wrong move could send a car over the edge p>
He paused, letting the danger of the challenge sink in.
“How about a little race, Mr. Blackwood? First man to reach the finish line wins. If you beat me, you can choose any flower fields you want from my holdings p>
He deliberately stopped there.
Then his gaze shifted to Lexi.
His eyes traveled over her in a way that made her skin crawl, and a sinister smile spread across his face.
“But if you lose, you’ll leave Lexi here with me p>
“Absolutely not p>
Before Sebastian could respond, Lexi stepped out from behind him.
“This is between the two of you! Why should I be dragged into it? That’s completely unfair p>
Who knew what Frank might do to her if she ended up in his hands? She might escape with her life, but she certainly wouldn’t emerge unscathed.
What made the situation even worse was that Frank had already sided with Lauren.
There was every chance he’d hand Lexi over to Lauren like a bargaining chip, leaving her at the mercy of a woman who wanted her gone.
Frank smiled at Sebastian, though the chill in his eyes betrayed his true intentions.
“What is it, Mr. Blackwood? Afraid to take the challenge? I would have thought your woman would have more faith in your abilities. Surely she wouldn’t be so timid p>
He gave Lexi a brief glance before continuing.
“Besides, Sebastian and I go way back. There’s an old saying that a man’s friend’s wife is off-limits. Trust me, I won’t lay a finger on her p>
His smile remained pleasant, but the coldness in his eyes was enough to make Lexi shudder.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow and glanced at her.
“Lexi, why are you so certain I’ll lose? Don’t you have any faith in your man p>
His tone was casual, almost teasing.
Lexi froze. She opened her mouth to respond, but Sebastian cut her off before she could get a word out.
“Frank, we’re hardly friends. So spare me the familiar act. We’ll settle this with one race, and a deal is a deal p>
Frank seemed delighted by Sebastian’s immediate acceptance. He clapped his hands and ordered his men to prepare everything.
“Lexi, go wait for me at the finish line p>
Sebastian placed both hands on her shoulders and looked directly into her eyes.
His gaze was deep and unwavering, silently giving her the confidence she needed.
“If you lose, I’ll…” Lexi began, hoping to threaten him into taking the challenge more seriously.
But the moment she met his earnest, intense gaze, every sharp retort vanished from her mind.
Whenever she was around Sebastian, both her intelligence and her common sense seemed to abandon her.
Every word, every gesture, every little reaction seemed to fall under his influence.
People said a woman in love lost half her intelligence.
But she wasn’t even in a relationship with Sebastian yet! So why was he already turning her brain to mush?
Unable to make sense of her own feelings, Lexi decided to stop trying.
She brushed Sebastian’s hands off her shoulders and glanced toward Frank, who was leaning against his car and impatiently signaling for Sebastian to hurry up.
Lexi turned to head toward the finish line.
Sebastian walked a few steps toward his car, then suddenly stopped.
He turned back to her with a faint smile.
“Can I have a kiss from Lady Luck before I go p>
Lexi burst out laughing.
How could he possibly be thinking about lucky charms at a time like this?
Still, the outcome of this race concerned her just as much as it concerned him. She wanted him to win, and she certainly didn’t want him losing her to Frank.
Taking a deep breath, she hurried toward him, covering the distance in just a few quick strides.
She cupped his handsome face in her slender hands, rose onto her tiptoes, and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.
When she pulled away, a delicate lipstick mark remained on his skin.