Lucien’s POV

I had asked Carter to watch her next move after I left her in the hallway, and out of my three predictions, two played out right. She was smart and a bit too fierce for her good, but her returning on her own after almost escaping again was… rare.

“I've looked into everything, Boss. She knows nothing,” Carter's restrained tone echoed in the room.

“Well, there's no way to convince Miguel that she's innocent,” I sniffed while twirling on my leather chair.

“Keeping her is inviting more danger, Boss. You already have Elena’s sly move to pay for, meddling in Miguel's way again is only asking for more trouble.”

“She's under my protection now,” I said firmly, taking him aback.

For a split second, he lost his composure, letting his jaw fall slightly ajar.

“She's what?”

“She wears the Valez's ring and you know what that means. Henceforth, her safety is your responsibility as well,” I informed the young man who looked rather lost and shocked than attentive. If only he knew that I was more surprised over the things she'd make him do than he'll ever understand.

“A lot of people want you dead, Lucien,” his tone finally dropped as he rushed to take a seat in front of me, straining every muscle in his throat just to make a point. “Everything about keeping her here is already dangerous enough considering that Miguel's is after her and now, you're planning to make her your wife? Are you making her the target?” His eyes ran wide.

“I'm protecting her until I find enough clues to find Elena, hand her over to her father and breach the tension between us.”

“This isn't tension, Lucien. This is war.”

His fear triggered a different kind of pleasure. I hoped to make every one who'd dare to raise a finger at her tremble in the same fear.

“We'll fight, Carter,” I dismissed him with those words and a smirk before watching him leaning into his chair with shock. “Everything happening is real Carter, so get used to it.”

I held the door open, gesturing for him to leave as I had other tasks that needed attention. I moved reluctantly, but eventually exited without making further comments. I strode down the spiral staircase, making my way to the elevator. I stayed calm, while it moved, except that my mind always found its way back to the softness of her lips. She was shaking, yet she managed to drag my collar with those fragile hands.

She drove me insane for those few minutes and even though I left the scene almost immediately, I left her with something precious. Something I intended for only her to return— my pride.

Passing her door without stopping by started to feel like torture each time I tried not to, so I braced myself for another session when the doors of the elevator slid open. ‘Oh Lucien! She can't possibly have you under her spell all the time,’I tried to remind myself because there were really times she made me crave her skin like a blast crave blood.

One. Two. Damn! It hurt. I swung her door open only to meet a pair of pale slender legs. The end of the fabric sat at a dangerous distance from her ass which made me think of doubling the access to her room to be sure no one gets to see her this way.

Her lips moved, forming words I was too lost to hear until she snapped her fingers. Silly girl!

“Where is the ring?” I almost snapped. Why does she have to be this difficult?

“I don't want it,” she snapped.

I followed her gaze to the floor, realising that she must have thrown it. I quickly made my way to her, no longer caring what her opinion on the idea was. This was to keep her safe, whether she liked it or not.

At first she hesitated but I took her hand anyway, hoping she'll understand what was on the line if she kept being naive about this.

“This would be the last time I put it on your finger, Cassie Monroe,” I stretched each word to let the weight sink on her, but only then did I realise that I was only a breath away from her.

“I don't want to be yours,” she snapped, retreating her hand forcefully.

Something about her defiance shared a striking resemblance with a ticking bomb waiting for the right trigger to explode. I loved it.

“Come on now,” I smirked. “I didn't say you are mine, did I?” I raised a brow mockingly, taking one step closer to her pale body.

She fell to the bed as a result of the close contact our bodies were in. It wasn't a problem, though. I could kneel. I could say her devotions long enough for her to surrender even though it put me on the edge as well. I just hoped I didn't end up losing in my own game.

“You're clearly crossing the line, Lucien. You're taking advantage,” she pointed at the distance between us. “Please step back.”

The low crack at the end of her voice betrayed her confidence, making me do the opposite. She was mad, but burning in rage made her look hotter than the flames she burnt, and yes, I loved it. I carefully tucked the stray strands of hair on her face to the back of her ears and in one swift move, I gripped the back of her neck, pulling her closer to me. Perfectly where I wanted her.

“The door is always open, Cassie, and I have given you freedom and a choice so you know that you are not a prisoner under my roof,” my voice turned husky from the level of temptation I was currently facing. “You're free to run if you want to,” I brushed my thumb soft against her delicate lips, except it only made me want to devour the remaining shred of her innocence. “Just know I'll find you and maybe, I'd have to make you mine then.”

I almost smiled in victory when her gaze remained fixed on his lips even though I was done speaking. She clearly wanted this too. Perhaps, being friends with Elena didn't teach her enough about the fire she was walking into.

I didn't dare to move after seeing her hesitation. Like I said before, she was going to return my pride to me. Victory sneered when she finally shut my eyes tightly, and leaned in to close the gap. I pulled away instantly.

“Go to bed, Cassie. You'll have a long day tomorrow,” I smiled as though the few minutes before now never existed while watching her cheeks turn red.

“Sure,” she nodded without letting me see her face.

I chuckled, leaving her to whatever her head was telling her. I genuinely hope she is able to cope, though because this was just the beginning.