BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

**Chapter 30: Desperate Search in Mexico**

**Chapter 30: Desperate Search in Mexico**

Landing in Mexico, a sense of urgency enveloped me. I was clueless about where to start looking for Luke, but my intuition screamed that something terrible had happened to him. Sebastian, trying to piece together a plan, mentioned a possibility. "There's a place my dad used to frequent. He's got a network there, involved in drug manufacturing. I don't know the exact location, but I know the city. It's a few hours' drive from here. I have a contact who might know more. We can start there, okay?"

"Okay," I agreed, my voice barely audible over the turmoil inside me. Throughout the flight, I had been unable to hold back my tears, my mind tormented by thoughts of Luke in danger, or worse. Sebastian tried to offer comfort, but the fear of what might have befallen Luke consumed me.

As Sebastian drove, he informed me that the car was bulletproof. "This city we're going to is dangerous, Emily. You need to stay by my side at all times, unless... unless a time comes when I tell you to leave."

His words confused and alarmed me. "What do you mean, a time when I need to leave your sight?" I asked, my anxiety spiking.

He didn't respond immediately, offering me a smile instead. But it was a sad smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. It only heightened my worry.

"Sebastian, is there something you're not telling me? You're making me worry," I pressed, needing to understand.

He seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking. "I've been to this city before. There might be some guys who aren't exactly fans of mine. But don't worry, I can handle them. Let's focus on finding Luke, okay?" His voice was calm, but I could sense an undercurrent of danger in his words.

His reassurance did little to ease my mind. The drive felt longer than it was, each mile adding to the tension and fear. I clung to the hope that we would find Luke safe, but Sebastian's cryptic warnings and the uncertainty of what lay ahead in this dangerous city cast a shadow over that hope.

My silence during the drive was filled with unease, as I wrestled with the feeling that Sebastian was withholding something. "Are you sure you'll be okay? I feel like you're not telling me the whole truth," I finally voiced my concern.

Sebastian chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension. "Emily, don't worry about it. Everything will be okay. But I need you to promise me one thing - listen to me, okay? It's very dangerous there, and I need you to do exactly as I say. Alright?" he said, his tone serious yet reassuring.

"Okay," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, as I clung to the hope that everything would indeed be alright.

As we drove into the city after a few hours, the tension in the air was palpable. Sebastian expertly navigated the car through the narrow, crowded streets, each turn taking us deeper into the heart of the city. The energy of the place was chaotic, almost overwhelming. People swarmed the streets, moving with a purpose that seemed both frantic and routine.

The buildings were closely packed together, their walls a canvas of vibrant graffiti that told stories I could only guess at. The air was a potent mix of the aromas of street food and the tang of exhaust fumes. I couldn't help but notice the wary glances of people who watched us from darkened doorways and shadowed alleys. Their eyes, sharp and calculating, followed our car, adding to the feeling of unease that had settled over me.

Sebastian's demeanor was one of focused alertness, his eyes constantly scanning our surroundings. The deeper we drove into the city, the more pronounced the sense of danger became. It was a place that demanded vigilance, where every stranger's gaze felt like a potential threat.

Despite the anxiety churning inside me, I tried to stay focused on the reason we were here - to find Luke. The thought of him, possibly in danger or worse, was a constant echo in my mind, driving me forward despite the fear. With Sebastian by my side, I felt a measure of safety, but the unknowns of what lay ahead were a looming shadow I couldn't ignore.

Sebastian's grip on the steering wheel tightened as we approached the heart of the city, his eyes darting around with a trained sharpness. "Stay alert, Emily," he advised in a low, steady voice. "This place is full of surprises. We're here to meet a contact of mine who might have information on Luke's whereabouts."

We parked the car in a secluded alley, the sounds of distant sirens and sporadic shouts echoing through the streets, adding to the thick atmosphere of tension. Stepping out of the car, I tried my best to emulate Sebastian's calm, but my heart raced uncontrollably, betraying my inner turmoil.

Sebastian, perceptive as ever, noticed my unease. He placed a firm, reassuring hand on my shoulder, his eyes meeting mine. "Stay close to me," he said firmly. "And remember, don't show fear. It's like a beacon here, attracting all the wrong kinds of attention."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat, and followed him. He moved with a purposeful stride, his alert gaze never resting, constantly surveying the faces and movements around us. I stuck close to him, mirroring his pace while keeping an eye on our surroundings.

As we walked, a group of men lounging against a building eyed us with evident suspicion. I felt Sebastian's hand subtly shift towards the weapon concealed at his side. However, without missing a beat, he continued walking, his body language relaxed yet poised for action if needed.

"Remember, we're here just for Luke," Sebastian reminded me quietly as we moved. "Avoid making eye contact and don't talk to anyone unless absolutely necessary."

I stayed silent, focusing on the task at hand and drawing strength from Sebastian's presence. Every nerve in my body was on edge, aware that in this maze of streets and strangers, finding Luke would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. But I clung to the hope that with Sebastian's knowledge of the area and his contacts, we would find some clue, some lead to where Luke might be.

Sebastian led me to a place that resembled a bar, the kind of place where trouble seemed to brew in every corner. As we entered, a heavy aura of danger enveloped us, the air thick with tension. Sebastian approached the bar and spoke in fluent Spanish, asking for someone named Alejandro. The bartender pointed towards a closed door guarded by two intimidating men.

Sebastian confidently approached the door, but the guards were unwelcoming. "I need to see Alejandro," he insisted. The guard sneered, "What for?" To which Sebastian replied, "I'm an old friend. Just need a word with him directly."

The guard laughed dismissively, but before I could process what was happening, Sebastian sprung into action. He landed a swift punch on one guard and swiftly disarmed him. The other guard was quickly subdued, with Sebastian pointing the stolen gun at his head. "Call Alejandro. Tell him Sebastian wants to talk," he demanded with a steely edge in his voice.

Within moments, the door swung open, and Alejandro appeared, looking both surprised and wary. He apprised me briefly with a scrutinizing gaze. As Alejandro and Sebastian embraced briefly, a tension underlined their interaction, hinting at a complex history between them. Alejandro pulled back, his eyes scanning Sebastian with a mixture of concern and incredulity. "Man, showing up here isn't the wisest move, Sebastian. You haven't forgotten last time, have you? There are people who would pay a lot to see you gone, and here you are, strolling into their lair. What's going on? You looking to cash in on that death wish of yours?"

His words were laced with a seriousness that underscored the gravity of our situation. The familiarity in his tone suggested a deep, shared history, possibly fraught with danger and old allegiances. It was clear that Sebastian's presence in this place, this hidden corner of the city, was a risky gambit, one that Alejandro viewed as bordering on reckless.