Lucien’s POV

Seeing her choke like that triggered a minute feeling I hadn't in years. She was so fragile and too innocent for this world and for the first time I feared breaking something I wouldn’t be able to put back in place. Miguel was on the verge of declaring war and even while I could try and make sure she was safe outside these walls, I'd rather break her innocence and mould her into something tough, like Elena, except she wouldn't be a bad asset.

I think I was the one losing it because I'd rather send an entire army to the war front than let her slip through my fingers. I just hoped her tough facade made her stronger, because I intended to break every piece of her until a stronger one re-emerges.

“Lucien,” Carter switched to the tone he'd use when it was just both of us. He actually did whatever he liked as years of growing up together gave him enough leverage to be treated as blood, but now, it was starting to irritate me. “I don't think she's fit for the event in two days. She couldn't even stand us talking about the basics of the world we've built. How would she deal with seeing those men that looked like demons?”

“Carter?” I called hoping he would pull his emotions back to order. “She just probably had a bad reaction from what she has been eating so far. It's nothing serious,” I remained unfazed, while going through the paper work sitting on my desk.

“For years I've watched you build this empire with every bit of dedication and caution. Miguel has accepted that you had nothing to do with Elena’s escape, he just wants the girl that you're keeping and you refusing means you really have something to do with her escape,” he pointed out desperately.

“I don't have anything to do with Elena except the shelter I provided her, and you heard right. She escaped to Cassie's place and then vanished into thin air.”

For the first time since the beginning of this conversation, I looked up to see disappointment in his eyes except I could only care less.

“Miguel doesn't see it that way and what matters is what he sees, not what you know, Lucien. Are you seriously going to endanger your empire like this?”

“In two days, he'll know why I can't give her up, because she's my fiancée. She wears the symbol of my bloodline and I believe everyone of us knows what it means. So how about you shift your focus to protecting my fiancee from every harm after her first exposure?” I prolonged the eye contact that has stood for god knows how long, arching my left brow for a response.

“Sure.”

“Also, I want you to get in touch with the clubs in New York. There's no way Elena ran off solely by herself. No need to question anybody. Just drag any suspects here and we'd have him answer all the questions.”

“No need, Lucien. You can't risk exposing yourself like that before the first,” he exhaled. “I'll have our best men go for the hunt while I focus on securing all parameters for the first.”

“Sounds better.”

With that, I dismissed him, gaining some time to myself. I pushed all the papers aside, turning on my laptop to check up on Cassie. She'd be mad when she gets to know about the implanted cameras, but since she already saw me as a lunatic, I was certain we'd be fine.

Miguel making her the next target also meant that there were only two people I could trust with her safety which were Carter and Mirian. Mirian had served my family since I was a boy and had proven her loyalty in various ways, and Carter… he was more like the brother I never had.

We three might not always have our eyes on her at all times, but the installed cameras would do, at least until she joins me in my room.

I smirked to myself on seeing the disgust on her face when the designer showed her the styles to choose from.

“Ask him to shred my clothes from my body if he really wanted to see me naked because I won't wear any of those!” She snapped as always. Short tempered, naive, sharp tongue, but super quick to break. That was everything that would get her throat slit if she fell into the wrong hands, but clearly had the opposite effect on me.

Perhaps, this was the result of not getting enough toys to play with while growing up. It made a person fancy a fancy human as though they were your toys, and it made me enjoy every second I got to play with her as one.

I watched as Mirian tried to reason with her, but the silly girl just threw the tablet to a wall.

“Shit!”

I rushed to her room, trying to stay calm as though I hadn't seen anything. I swung the door open, but instead of remorse, she just looked away, shielding me from seeing her anger get quickly replaced by fear. I was happy she was starting to learn her place here.

“How is everything going?” I asked, looking from the designer to Mirian and then the tablet which didn't do any good hiding from where anyone could clearly see.

“Uhm…” Mirian rubbed her palms against her gown while her lips trembled for answers.

Sandra looked stunned, she almost couldn't believe I asked her to take measurements of an audacious woman. Plus, this was the first time I was asking her to take measurements of a female. I guess the first time for everything isn't always beautiful.

“We're still deciding on an outfit,” Mirian spoke up with a forced smile.

“And that?” I shot a quick gaze at the tablet on the floor, hoping to see their next response.

“Oh, i-i-it slipped,” Sandra cut in after a few rapid eye contacts with Mirian.

I nodded, still pretending not to know a thing. I wouldn't lie. I was impressed by how both of them decided to cover Cassie up, and how her sudden defiance lost its ability to move or utter a single word.

“I'll be seeing important guests tonight, and I'd like for her to be present.”

“Sure—”

“In the black dress,” I interrupted Morian, knowing my choice would only trigger Cassie the most.