--Lucien's POV--

The elevator ride down carried a silence that pressed on my ears. Rafael stood on one side, hands clasped behind his back, while I stared at the descending numbers above the door.

"Lucien, I-"

"It's fine." The doors opened to the lobby. "You were protecting Hayes Corp. I get it."

We walked across the lobby toward my car. Each step scraped at something between us. I stopped him outside.

"But, I need you to respect my choices moving forward. Camila isn't a threat to the ...