Chapter 246: She Already Made Her Choice

April’s eyes rolled toward the dashboard, catching the blinking light of the hazard indicator.

"It’s not that. It’s just... you knocked the hazard light," she whispered, her voice low as her breath fanned against his lips. "It’s blinking."

Alexander let out a low, vibrant chuckle that vibrated right through where their foreheads touched.

"Are you really trying to use a blinking dashboard light to get out of this right now?" he murmured, his thumb gently stroking the sensitive skin right behind her ear, refusing to pull back even an inch.

"I’m just pointing out your clumsy knee, Alexander," April countered smoothly, though she didn’t push his chest away, nor did she break the intense hold of his gaze.

"Then let it blink," Alexander whispered, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners with an infectious, triumphant warmth. "It doesn’ matter because right now, I’m not looking at the road. I’m looking at you."

He shifted slightly, leaning just a fraction deeper into the space between them, his breath warm and steady against her skin. "So, let me—."

Before it could get any more intense, a sudden, violent BOOM rattled the rear bumper as someone kicked the metal frame with enough force to shake the entire car.

"You better get out of this car right now, you blond-haired bastard!" Nat’s roaring, unhinged voice boomed from right outside the car. "What the hell do you think you’re doing to my woman?!"

Alexander let out a sharp, frustrated groaning sigh, resting his forehead against April’s for one last lingering second before pulling back.

He rolled down the window, glaring dead into Nat’s gleaming eyes.

Nat was leaning heavily over the door frame, his jaw clenched so hard his molars ground together, a heavy tactical shotgun slung casually over his shoulder like he was getting ready to blow Alexander to smitterings.

"I was having a conversation, Nat Collins," Alexander said coolly, though his jaw twitched with annoyance at the interruption. It seemd he was no longer scared of the mafia lord that had struck him as unapproachable and dangerous in the past.

Now, he boldy spoke to hijm like he was just your average guy.

"Ever heard of knocking like a civilized human being?"

"Civilized my ass!" Nat spat, his predatory gaze flicking past Alexander to land straight on April. "I saw the hazard lights blinking from half a mile away! I thought the car broke down, not that you were taking advantage of my sweetheart in a parked car!"

April leaned back against her headrest, smoothing down her hair with complete, unbothered composure. "Nat. I don’t belong to you, you know."

"Details, details. No one likes to hear them, sweetheart." Nat dismissed with a wave of his hand, though his sharp eyes softened slightly when he looked at her. He slammed his palm against the car’s roof. "Move over, Greels. I’m taking the wheel before you pollute her mind any further with your fancy speeches."

Alexander smirked, resting his elbow on the window frame, completely unbothered by the Mafia Lord’s towering rage. "Too late. She already made her choice."

Nat’s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

April let out a long, quiet sigh as she looked between the two men. The mandatory quest was proceeding smoothly, but managing these unhinged personalities was rapidly becoming a full-time ordeal.

Alexander kept grinning, leaving Nat in the dark and this provoked him further.

"You don’t want to get out? Fine. Stay there," Nat growled, his eyes flashing with reckless, unhinged intent.

Before Alexander could even register the threat, Nat rounded the front hood in an insant. He ripped the passenger door open with enough force to strain the hinges, reached inside, and cleanly scooped April right out of her seat.

"Hey—!" Alexander yelled, throwing his door open and stepping out, his face instantly twisting in fury. "Put her down!"

April didn’t even have time to blink before her center of gravity inverted, and she found herself thrown effortlessly over Nat’s broad shoulder like a sack of premium potatoes.

"Nat!" April gasped, her hands instinctively coming down to brace against his back as he slammed the passenger door shut with his heel. "Put me down right now!"

"Not a chance, sweetheart," Nat barked, slinging his shotgun comfortably over his chest as he took off with long, arrogant strides down the secluded estate road. "That blond prick was taking up way too much of your screen time. It’s my turn."

"Nat Collins, I swear to God!" Alexander roared from behind, slamming his car door shut and marching after them with long, furious steps. "You’re acting like a savage! She is not a prize to be hauled around!"

"Says the guy who was trying to steal a kiss behind a blinking hazard light!" Nat shot back over his shoulder, throwing a bold, obnoxious smirk back at the chasing Greels heir. "That’s right. I saw everything, so take a hike." He reached up with his free hand and patted April’s thigh reassuringly. "Don’t worry, April. Your villain is here to save you from chivalry."

April let out a long, deeply exasperated sigh, dangling over his shoulder as the breeze ruffled her hair.

100% Trust Value, she reminded herself bitterly, resisting the urge to drive her elbow directly into his back bone. He’s a certified villian true and true. So aside this obsessive nuisance, he would never hurt me.

"Nat," April said, her voice dropping into a dangerously calm, low tone right next to his ear. "If you don’t put my feet back on the pavement in three seconds, your appointed class is going to be ’Court Jester’."

Nat froze mid-stride, his ears perking up as he looked sideways at her with a mix of chaotic intrigue and a crooked, irresistible grin. "My what now?"

"Just put me down," April repeated, her voice dripping with lethal coldness.

Nat merely scoffed, his broad chest vibrating against her shoulder as he kept marching down the tree-lined driveway, completely unbothered by her threat.

"Not a chance," Nat barked, his grip tightening securely around her legs. "You can use your fancy words all you want, sweetheart. But I’m not letting you down."

"Collins!" Alexander shouted, finally catching up with rapid, furious strides and cutting in front of them to block the path. His blue eyes were practically ablaze, his breathing heavy as he pointed a sharp finger at Nat’s face. "You heard her! Set her down!"

Nat stopped, shifting his weight naturally with April still draped over his shoulder like a trophy. He slanted a ruthless glare at the blond heir, a dark, wicked grin spreading across his face.

"Or what?" Nat taunted, his hand resting casually on his tactical belt. "You’re going to cry to your grandpa or something?"

Dangling upside down between the two towering men, April pinched the bridge of her nose. Her brown hair cascaded over Nat’s back, her mind racing through her current roster of ’Named Pieces’.

Xavier was her Saint—composed, protective, and utterly devoted. Alexander was now her Knight—vow-sworn, proud, and fiercely loyal.

And then there was Nat. A chaotic, unstoppable force who treated the impending end of the world like his personal playground, yet whose trust value had hit a hundred percent without her even asking for it.

He really is a villain, April thought dryly, a faint, helpless sigh escaping her lips.

"Nat," April said, reaching out to cuff the back of his tactical vest firmly. "If you don’t put me down, I’m going to ignore you for the rest of the day."