Lucien's penthouse was a cathedral of glass and shadows—darkened windows framing the city below like a silent witness. Rain streaked down the panes, matching the rhythm of Zara's heartbeat.
She stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, arms folded, body still tense from the meeting with Caleb.
The truth had cracked something open inside her. Her father's death wasn't just a consequence of ambition or betrayal—it had been engineered. And Caleb... he'd confirmed it with trembling hands and downcast eyes.
Now, the silence in the room screamed louder than any gunshot.
Lucien moved behind her, quiet as always, but she felt him—his presence a heat on her spine.
"You held it together," he said softly.
"I wanted to break something," she replied. "I still might."
His voice dropped. "Then start with me."
She turned, ready to retort—but stopped.
Lucien had taken off his jacket. His shirt sleeves were rolled up. His eyes, shadowed and hungry, were fixed on her like a man possessed.
She stepped back instinctively. "Don't."
But her voice wasn't firm.
Lucien stepped closer. "You're shaking, Zara."
"I'm not—"
He grabbed her wrist, pulled her into him. "Yes, you are."
She struggled, not truly to escape—but to deny how much she needed to be undone.
"This isn't what I—"
"You need something," he growled. "Let me give it to you."
His mouth was on hers before she could protest again—rough, devouring. His hand tangled in her hair, tilting her head, controlling the kiss. He kissed her like he wanted to erase the past from her mouth, from her mind.
She pushed against his chest. "Lucien—stop."
But he didn't. Not yet.
Because he knew what she needed better than she did.
He shoved her back against the window, glass cold against her spine, heat blooming between her thighs.
"I see you," he said against her mouth. "The real you. And I want her. All of her."
His hands moved fast—blazer off, shirt yanked open. Buttons flew. Zara gasped as he grabbed her throat, thumb gently pressing under her jaw.
"I want to own this fire you hide behind," he whispered. "I want to feel you break around me."
Zara moaned, eyes fluttering.
"Still want me to stop?" he asked.
Her silence was his permission.
He lifted her effortlessly, carried her to the bed without breaking their kiss. Her skirt was bunched up, panties ripped aside. His mouth found her breasts—hot, open-mouthed kisses, tongue swirling around each nipple before he sucked hard, marking her.
"Lucien—God," she gasped, arching beneath him.
He shoved her legs apart, belt unbuckled, pants undone.
Then he was inside her—thick, relentless.
She cried out, nails digging into his shoulders.
He fucked her like a man starved—hips pounding, hand gripping her throat as he drove into her over and over, every stroke a declaration.
"You're mine," he growled.
She whimpered, walls tightening around him.
"You don't get to hide behind revenge anymore. Not with me."
Zara tried to speak—but he thrust deeper, stealing her breath.
Tears burned at the corners of her eyes—not from pain, but release. No more masks. No more lies. Just raw, consuming need.
He flipped her onto her stomach, dragged her hips up, took her again from behind—harder, faster, relentless.
She screamed his name.
Lucien leaned over her back, breath hot on her ear. "Say it."
"What?" she moaned.
"Say you need me."
She hesitated.
A slap to her ass. Sharp. Controlled.
"I said—say it."
She sobbed. "I need you."
Again. Deeper.
"I need you."
He slammed into her once more, and they shattered together—her body clenching, his growl echoing against the walls as he came inside her, pulling her hips flush against him.
They collapsed onto the bed, tangled in sweat and silence.
Minutes passed. Maybe hours.
Finally, he spoke, voice rough. "You okay?"
Zara rolled onto her side, looked him in the eye. No walls now. Just her.
"I don't know what this is," she said.
Lucien brushed hair from her face. "Neither do I."
But he held her tighter.
And she let him.
Cliffhanger: The lines between revenge and obsession are blurring. But outside the penthouse, Ethan Blackwell is already closing in—and Caleb's betrayal may only be the beginning.