Chapter 7
AUTHOR’S POV
Alina immediately stood up from the table, causing a frown to appear on Luar
He had seen the way her expression lit up at whoever was calling, and he had an inkling of who it might be.
“And just where do you think you are going?” Lucian’s voice was stern, bringing her attention back from wherever it had wandered to the
present,
- Luhmm……
going to my room.” She stuttered, not having time to come up
up with a reasonable excuse.
“Why? Who is calling you?” Lucian’s intense gaze never left her face as he waited for her to confirm what he already suspected.
“No one of importance.” She answered truthfully.
It was the truth, Adrian wasn’t anybody important anymore, but Lucian didn’t know that Of course, he didn’t believe a single word she had just said.
see, Lucian hummed under his breath. “Sit down and finish your meal. His tone left no room for arguments
“Do not make me repeat myself, Dollface. His tone was sharp, and his hand tightened around the cutlery.
Alina sat down again without another word. She could see his temper rising, and she did not need to make him any more furious.
Of course, she was eager to take Adrian’s call and set her plans in motion, but she did not want to risk infuriating Lucian. The plan was to get him to trust her, not push her further away.
Alina forced herself to finish every bite on her plate to pacify Lucian, even though she felt like her stomach was about to explode.
“All done.” She announced, dropping the cutlery with a clatter and leaning back in her chair to catch her breath.
Lucian grunted in response, knowing he had no reason to keep her there anymore.
“I’ll be in my room.
Alina’s earlier excitement returned as she bestowed a quick kiss on Lucian’s check before all but skipping up the stairs to her room.
Lucian’s eyes followed her until she was out of sight. Then he dropped his cutlery with a loud clatter. But unlike with Alina, the servants froze in fear because they could feel the tension radiating from him. And nothing good ever came from that.
I need you to get somebody to keep an eye on her twenty–four hours a day,” Lucian ordered Ace in a voice so stiff and controlled dripping with anger that was barely contained.
“On it, boss” Ace’s response was immediate, already texting on his phone to arrange it
Ace has always disliked Alina because of the way she treated his boss. He could never figure out why Lucian wouldn’t just let her go. There were plenty of women in the entire country of Velmora who would give an arm and a leg just to have Lucian’s notice their way. But no–he was head over heels in love with a woman who didn’t give a shit about him one bit.
Ace didn’t for one second believe Alina’s new “good girl act. She’d done the same thing before–only to find new ways to undermine Lucian or bolt the moment he let his guard down.
People always wonder why Ace was so loyal to Lucian but nobody knew that Lucian had pulled Ace off the street when they were both teenagers, getting jumped by some thugs in an alley, Lucian had stepped in to break it up. Those guys would have beaten Ace to death if Lucian hadn’t stepped in. And when Ace regained consciousness a week later, he had sworn his allegiance to Lucian until the day he died.
He had intended it. He would do anything to keep Lucian safe, even if it meant keeping him safe from the one person Lucian would give his life for, Alina
“All set, boss.” Ace’s voice spoke, eyes still fixed on
fixed on his screen.
“Get a doctor to examine you. Lucian said, standing up as he nodded towards Ace’s neck.
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6:27 AM
Chapter 7
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Lucian might be a man of few words who rarely showed emotion except when it came to Alina, but he cared for Ace like a brother. And Ace knew this was his way of apologizing for earlier.
“That won’t be necessary, boss. I’m alright.” Ace’s voice was firm, his face void of emotion.
“Good. Get ready. We’re going to the Obsidian Club in thirty minutes. There are whispers in the air that Rocco’s been spending a lot of time there,” Lucian said as he walked toward his home office, Ace trailing behind him.
The Obsidian Club was a private underground network owned by Lucian. A place where the elite gambled vast fortunes, brokered secret deals, and dictated the fate of the powerless.
Do you want me to send some guys over to get him over to the warehouse?” Ace asked, a note of anticipation in his voice. Nothing good ever comes from being brought to the warehouse, at least, not for the unsuspecting victim being brought there.
“That won’t be necessary. I’ve been too lenient with him, sending men to him. I need to have a face–to–face. Let him tell me to my face. what gives him the idea he can gamble in my club when he still owes me.” Lucian snarled, going through some documents on his desk.
“Here.” He handed the file to Ace. This is the property transaction. Make sure Arnesto signs it, because heaven knows we’ll have one dead body and a new property if go there myself.”
I’ve got it covered, boss” Ace’s voice held a hint of amusement in his voice,
He knew Lucian. While Ace was more patient with negotiations, Lucian wasn’t. That is why they were left mostly to Ace. Any negotiation Lucian engaged in usually resulted in broken bones and pails of blood.
“Get the car ready! Lucian gave one final order before he left the office and went straight to his room.
Lucian had just walked past Alina’s room when he heard voices.
He had thought she would be in his room, seeing as she had practically forced him to let her stay there the
e previous night.
Her door was slightly ajar, making it easier for her conversation to float out. It wasn’t his intention to eavesdrop, but the moment he heard the name of the person on the other end, he couldn’t help himself.
“Of course, Adrian,” Alina spoke in a fake, sugary voice, her back towards the door, completely unaware of the other person quietly listening to her conversation.
“You have to apologize to Phina for slapping her, okay? She only has our best interests at heart,” Adrian’s voice filtered through the phone, making Alina clench it tightly as she fought to suppress her anger.
-Did
you hear what I just said, Alina?” Adrian asked in a voice tight with irritation.
In the past, Alina would have missed it. She had been so blinded by her love and loyalty to him that she didn’t hear the subtle changes,the growing acidity in his tone, the icy irritation buried underneath.
She would have written this off as Adrian simply showing concern for her adopted sister. But now she knew better. They had both made a fool of her, and in this life, they were going to pay
“Yeah, Adrian, I heard you. I’ll invite her out for lunch sometime this week and apologize.” She forced her voice to remain meek and
sweet.
“Good girl.” Adrian praised. The words made Alina’s skin crawl as she fought the urge to puke. “How about you come see me at the hospital?” He suggested.
“I can’t leave the house right now. Lucian has guards everywhere.” She replied.
Although it was an excuse–because she didn’t want to see Adrian anytime soon–it wasn’t a lie. The entire Blackwood estate was swarming with additional guards than usual..
“You don’t love me anymore? Maybe Seraphina was right by saying you’ve fallen in love with that beast, Lucian.” Adrian had descended to emotional blackmail, making her almost roll her eyes.
“Of course that’s not true. I do not love Lucian. It’s you I love, I will always love you.” The lie rolled off her tongue, leaving a bitter taste in its wake.
Outside the door, Lucian clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palm, drawing blood. Rage ran through his entire being. and all he wanted was to storm inside, snatch the phone from her hand, and smash it against the wall.
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427AM P
Chapter 7
“I just need him to completely trust me. That way, it would be much easier to get my way.” Alina continued, oblivious to the fuming man standing just inches away.
“You must figure out a way to come see me. That’s the only way I’ll know you still love me.” Adrian pushed.
Alina clamped down harder on the phone as she tried to control her breathing
“Fine. I’ll look for a way to leave and come see you.” She said through gritted teeth.
Having heard enough, Lucian stormed downstairs, his heavy footsteps echoing through the vast halls. He met Ace at the foot of the stairs, his eyes burning with cold fury.
“Change of plans. Get Rocco hitched up in the warehouse in the next ten minutes!“.
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