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 . 1/3 Chapter 7 0 ) 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 . ୦ 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 ! " . Comment