Chapter 10 Chapter 10.

Chapter 10 Chapter 10.
Lucien's eyes lingered on the door as Aria stepped out of the study. He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just been punched in the gut. The way she'd touched him, the way she'd looked at him...it was all so familiar. And yet, it felt like a lifetime ago.

He walked over to the window, staring out at the gardens below. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the perfectly manicured lawns and hedges. But Lucien's mind wasn't on the beauty of the scene. It was on Aria.

The scene kept playing in his head. The bitter scene where she just walked up to him and announced their breakup for a reason he still couldn't fathom. 

He cursed at himself many times, tried to hate her but here he was, drawing her nearer to get hurt for the second time. 

The door burst open, tearing him out from his thoughts. He turned and saw Aria rushing in, her face etched with panic and fear. 

"Think of the devil and she arrives," he muttered as he approached her too.

"He's after me now," she said, her voice trembling as she showed Lucien her phone.

Lucien's eyes scanned the message on Aria's phone, his expression darkening. "I'm coming for you," he read aloud, his voice low and menacing.

Aria's fear was palpable, and Lucien could sense the panic rising in her chest. He reached out and took her hand, his touch firm and reassuring. "Are you afraid?" He asked.

Aria's eyes unfocused finally found their way to his. "I am," she responded.

"Good," he gave a nod. "Now you know you have to work really fast."

"Study everything in the cabinet swiftly and we'll get down to the real work." He instructed and she nodded.

"But for now," he moved away the stray strands of her hair from face, his fingers brushing her face softly. "For now breathe. No harm will come to you under my watch," he assured her.

The vulnerability he saw in her, the vulnerability of a scared little girl tugged at his heart that he had to fight the urge to not pull her into a hug. 

Aria's eyes fluttered closed as Lucien's fingers brushed against her skin, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. She felt a sense of calm wash over her, a sense of safety that she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lucien's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense and piercing. For a moment, Aria thought she saw something flicker in his eyes, something that looked almost like...tenderness. But it was quickly replaced by his usual mask of calm calculation.

"Go back to your bedroom and begin your work; you can see that you don't have much time now," Lucien said, his voice low and soft but with a hint of authoritativeness.

With a nod, Aria pulled her hand away from his hold, the warmth between them dissipating as they broke contact.

"I'll be holding onto this for a while," he added, his fingers wrapping around her phone as if claiming a piece of her.

With no objections, she turned and walked out of the study, the door closing softly behind her.

Once she was out of sight, Lucien retrieved his own phone from his pocket and dialed a number with a sense of urgency. "Roll in," he instructed, his voice steady, betraying none of the turbulence churning in his mind.

A few moments later, a burly man in black strode into the room, his sharp features and piercing gaze indicating a readiness for action. "Yes, boss," he said, the efficient tone promising unwavering loyalty.

Lucien handed over Aria's phone, eyes narrowed with intent. "I want everything from that text. Track down the number."

"Yes, boss," the man replied, his professionalism evident.

"Call in Francesca on your way out," Lucien added, the command flowing from him effortlessly.

"Understood," the man affirmed and exited with a purposeful stride.

As the door clicked shut, Lucien settled back into his chair, the leather creaking beneath him. His thoughts raced through a tangled web of possible assailants. Every indication pointed to Marius Velkoz as the architect of Aria's suffering, but doubt flickered in his mind like a candle battling the wind. What if it wasn’t just him? What if there were deeper layers, darker puppeteers pulling the strings behind the scenes?

Francesca soon walked in, her cheeks flushed from the exertion of hurrying. “You called for me, sir?” she asked, a hint of concern veiling her features.

“I want everything pertaining to Aria from ten years ago until today,” Lucien demanded, his tone brooking no arguments. The gravity of his request hung heavy in the air.

Francesca’s eyes widened in surprise. “Sir, but—”

“I know the buts,” he cut her off sharply, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that could rival a storm. “I trust her, but I don’t trust what has happened in her life.”

"I don't want to waste my time fighting the wrong person," he added.

Francesca hesitated, the gravity of his words sinking in. “But sir, Marius Velkoz is a known criminal,” she pressed, trying to steer him back to a logical conclusion.

“I know that,” Lucien replied, his voice low and steady, “but what if he’s not the sole culprit in this matter?” His brow furrowed as he continued, his mind racing. “What if there are others involved? What if he’s merely a pawn used for someone else’s grand design?”

Francesca’s eyes widened at the implications, her initial confidence creeping away. “Honestly, I don’t think so, sir,” she said, shaking her head as though to dispel the notion. “Marius Velkoz a puppet? That’s not feasible; he’s too powerful himself.”

Lucien chuckled, the sound low and dark, reverberating off the walls of the study. “You still have much to learn, my dear,” he said, leaning back in his chair, his demeanor almost contemplative. 

“In this life, nothing is impossible,” he continued, his tone shifting to a more serious cadence. “Never underestimate anyone, and never overestimate anyone either. Always work with probability in mind and be ready for anything that comes your way.” His smirk returned, a flash of calculated mischief that hinted at the depths of his understanding—knowledge earned through years in a ruthless game.

Francesca's expression turned thoughtful as she nodded, her eyes locked onto Lucien's. "I'll get started on gathering everything we can on Aria's past," she said, her voice firm.

Lucien's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he nodded. "Good. I want to know everything about her life, every detail, every connection. Leave no stone unturned."

Francesca nodded again, her face set in determination. "I'll get the team on it right away, sir."

As Francesca turned to leave, Lucien's voice stopped her. "And Francesca?"

"Yes, sir?" she turned back to him.

"Be discreet," Lucien said, his eyes glinting with warning. "I don't want her to know what we're doing. Not yet."

Francesca nodded, her expression serious. "Of course, sir. I'll make sure it's handled quietly."

She turned to continue her journey out of the study but he halted her again, "one more thing."

"Sir?" She turned to him again.

"Look into her husband too," he requested.

"Yes, sir," she responded.

With that, she turned and left the study, leaving Lucien alone with his thoughts. He sat back in his chair, his mind racing with possibilities. Who was behind the threat to Aria? Was it Marius Velkoz, or was it someone else entirely?

Lucien's eyes narrowed as he thought about the different scenarios. He knew that he had to be prepared for anything, had to consider every possibility.

He leaned forward, his elbows on the desk, and steepled his fingers together as he went deeper into thoughts.

As he sat there, lost in thought, the door to the study opened again. But this time, it was one of his security team members.

"Sir, we've had a report of a possible breach in the perimeter fence," the man said, his voice low and urgent.

Lucien's eyes snapped to attention, his mind racing with the implications. A breach? That was all he needed.

"Get the team on it now," Lucien said, his voice firm. "I want to know who's behind it and what they want."

The security team member nodded and quickly left the study, leaving Lucien to wonder what other surprises lay in store for him.