Strip for the Devil 2

Ch. 5: His New Lover

"I got word from someone. He's gone," Riley confirmed.

"How?"

The silence between them hung heavy, and Isaac knew why. It was Lucien.

"The gang's in shambles now," Riley continued. "Most of them are scattering, some disappearing, some trying to take over Hound's spot. It's a mess. And New York... it's worse than ever. More gang fights, mysterious deaths. Most of the victims are from Hound's crew." Another pause. "Or whatever is left of it."

Riley watched Isaac's face carefully. "Seems like Lucien isn't showing any mercy."

Isaac flinched at the mention of his name.

"I know you wanted to ask about him," Riley began slowly. "He's been dismantling their businesses one by one. The men who were at the casino the night we fled? They're all missing—or dead." Riley's tone was grim. "Lucien isn't showing any mercy."

"Do you have any other news about him?" Isaac asked suddenly, his voice edged with urgency. For the first time, Riley saw a flicker of hope in his eyes.

"Just that he's alive. And he's making power moves, taking over Hound's territory. He's a mafia boss, Isaac. Business is business, and this is just another opportunity for him. He's focused on what he does best: making money. He seems completely absorbed in it."

Isaac felt his heart sink. It was as though Riley was telling him Lucien had moved on. That he didn't care. He knew he'd told Lucien not to look for him. Still, some part of him, deep down, had hoped he would.

"Busy with work," Isaac said with a hollow chuckle. "That's good." His voice was brittle, his throat tight as he fought the lump threatening to choke him.

Of course he moved on, Isaac thought bitterly. We were nothing to begin with.

"I'm glad he's doing okay," he said aloud, though his words felt empty.

Riley hesitated before speaking again. "There are rumors he's seeing someone."

Isaac's head snapped up. "How do you know?"

"I still have connections," Riley replied. "Besides, it's been in the news. He's a famous CEO, remember? Even if he's running the mafia behind closed doors, he owns companies. People talk."

"Is it a man?" Isaac couldn't help but ask.

"A woman," Riley said simply.

"So, he's into both?" Isaac pressed.

Riley shrugged. "I don't think he cares, as long as he can stick it in. Fidelity was never really his thing. He's not exactly sentimental."

You're wrong, Isaac wanted to say. Lucien had shown him sides no one else had. But now he wasn't sure if those moments were real. Was he just another body he used?

"They've been seen together several times," Riley continued cautiously.

"You just love twisting the knife, don't you?" Isaac asked with a cold laugh.

"No," Riley said firmly. "It's because I know you'll find out eventually. I want you to be ready. I know you still love him, Isaac."

Isaac opened his mouth to argue but stopped. He laughed softly instead, tilting his head. "So what?"

"So, let it go. Move on. Stop holding onto the past."

"Look who's talking," Isaac chuckled when Riley stepped closer. This time, he didn't back away. He didn't have the heart to.

"We have no one but each other," Riley murmured. His voice softened. "No, you were always everything I had."

He reached out, his fingers threading gently through Isaac's hair. It was softer than he remembered, and the touch sent a small spark of hope flickering in his chest. Isaac didn't flinch or push him away this time. He just stood there, unmoving. Riley knew Isaac's thoughts were elsewhere, his heart, too. He could see it in his distant gaze, feel it in the tension that hadn't left his body. But Riley didn't care. He was selfish enough to want him anyway, even if it was just to fill a void. Even if it wasn't real, as long as he could have him for a moment, that was enough.

Riley's hand slid down, resting lightly on the side of Isaac's neck. His touch was warm, grounding, and yet it made Isaac's heart twist painfully. "I'm not asking for forever," Riley said softly. "I'm not asking for anything you can't give. I just want you to let me in. Even if it's just for now."

Isaac just stood there, and the silence stretched between them. Riley leaned forward, resting his forehead against Isaac's. It wasn't much, but it was enough for him to feel the tension in Isaac's shoulders ease, if only a little.

"I need to go to the library," Isaac finally whispered, pulling away. He turned his back and Riley didn't say anything, but when he looked over his shoulder, he was already gone.

***

Isaac settled into the library chair, the hum of whispered voices and the faint sound of pages turning serving as his background noise. The free computer screen flickered to life, and he connected the USB Luka had given him. His fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment before his resolve faltered.

Instead of opening the files, he typed in a familiar name. The search results loaded instantly, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw a recent image of Lucien. His face hadn't changed. Sharp, chiseled, devilishly handsome, but there was something different about him now. His expression was colder, harder, as though the warmth Isaac once knew had been replaced by unyielding ice.

He scrolled further, curiosity quickly giving way to a sinking feeling. His heart clenched when his gaze landed on a particular photo: Lucien standing beside a woman in front of a hotel. They were close, too close for Isaac's comfort.

The headline read:
"Mr. Royce, Finally Ready to Get Engaged?"

The subheading twisted the knife further:
"One of New York's Richest Men Has Found His New Lover."

Isaac's throat tightened as he clicked on the article. The woman was Rebecca Honst, a renowned real estate agent with a glowing reputation and striking looks. Together, they exuded power and opulence, a perfect match for the world Lucien inhabited. Isaac's stomach churned as jealousy gnawed at him. They looked good together.

Jealousy sat heavy in his stomach, and Isaac hated himself for it. His rational mind knew he had no right to feel this way, but his chest felt uneasy and tight.

His search took him deeper, uncovering a string of reports on rising crime in New York. High-profile cases of fraud, illegal smuggling, and unexplained disappearances were making headlines. Isaac knew some of them from Hounds' gang, and it seemed as if Lucien was truly targeting them. Isaac couldn't help but wonder how Lucien managed to navigate his double life so effortlessly, commanding a criminal empire while maintaining the polished image of a legitimate CEO. How could he walk so boldly in the daylight and still thrive in the shadows?

He sighed, dragging his hands down his face. Obsessing over Lucien wasn't helping. If anything, it was making everything worse. Steeling himself, Isaac pushed aside the article and finally opened the USB folder.

The files were a series of video clips. He clicked on the first one, and his eyes widened in disbelief. The footage was grainy, shot in what appeared to be an underground fight arena. Harsh, glaring lights illuminated the boxing ring at the center, leaving the surrounding crowd shrouded in shadows. The air seemed thick with tension, even through the screen.

And there, standing in one corner of the ring, was a familiar face. He looked much younger, most likely in his early teenage years, but he still exuded the same raw handsomeness and dangerous edge that Isaac recognized all too well. Isaac leaned closer to the screen, his breath catching as the realization hit him.

It was Lucien.