Lucian

"You don't know anything about me."

The words came out harsher than I intended, and I watched Lexi's eyes widen slightly. For a moment, the apartment fell silent except for the distant hum of city traffic below.

She was right about one thing, I did see everything as a chess match. But what she didn't understand was that sometimes the most important piece on the board wasn't the king or the queen.

Sometimes it was the pawn you'd do anything to protect.

My phone buzzed. A text from my financial team. "Kane's accounts have been frozen. His warehouses were seized. The operation is complete."

I allowed myself a small smile. While Lexi had been yelling at me about my attitude, I'd been systematically destroying Victor Kane's life. Three phone calls to the right people, one tip to the FBI about Kane's money laundering operation, and a well-placed bribe to freeze his offshore accounts.

Kane thought he was playing chess. I'd been playing 4D chess since I was twelve.

"Mia," I said calmly, "would you mind giving us a moment?"

"Actually, I think I'll stay right here," Mia replied, settling deeper into the couch. "This is better than N*****x."

I pulled out my phone and showed Lexi the screen. "Victor Kane is finished."

She blinked. "What?"

"His accounts are frozen, his properties were seized by the federal agents as we speak, and his entire organization is in chaos. He won't be threatening anyone for a very long time."

Lexi stared at me, then at the phone, then back at me. "How?"

"I made some calls."

"You made some calls?" Her voice rose an octave. "You made some calls and destroyed an entire criminal organization?"

"It wasn't that difficult once I had the right leverage." I shrugged, trying to ignore the way she was looking at me like I was some kind of monster.

"Jesus Christ," Mia whispered. "You're terrifying."

"I'm efficient." I corrected.

Lexi sank back onto the couch, running her hands through her hair. "So it's over? Just like that?"

"Just like that." I nodded.

"And you could have done this anytime?"

I hesitated. "Yes."

"But you didn't because...?" Her voice trailed off as though waiting for me to complete it.

"Because I needed to be sure Kane couldn't retaliate. One mistake, and he'd have gone after you out of spite."

Lexi was quiet for a long moment. Then she stood up and walked to the window, staring out at the city lights.

"I should be grateful," she said finally. "You saved my life. You saved Mia's life."

"But?"

She turned around. "But I hate that you have this much power. I hate that you can destroy people with a phone call. I hate that you dragged me into this world, and I hate..."

Destroy is a big word, but I didn't correct her..

"What?"

"I hate that part of me is impressed by it."

My shook my head. "Lexi..."

"No." She held up a hand. "I need to go home. I need to think. And I need to figure out how to explain to my boss why I haven't filed a story in three days."

Mia jumped up. "I'll drive you."

"Actually," I interrupted, "there's something else we need to discuss."

Both women looked at me suspiciously.

"Victor Kane's operation generated a lot of attention. The FBI, the media, several other criminal organizations who are now scrambling to fill the power vacuum. Until things settle down, you're both still in potential danger."

"Meaning?" Lexi asked.

"Meaning I'm assigning you both protection details. And the arrangement we made still stands, you'll continue working with me until this settles down completely."

Her face went pale. "How long?"

"A few weeks. Maybe a month."

"And what exactly will I be doing during this time?"

"What you've been doing. Attending events with me, gathering information, writing your stories. The only difference is you'll have a security detail."

The way Mia looked at me was weird. “Wow,” she blushed.

I shook my head. Just as difficult as her friend. I see why they are best friends.

"The arrangement will be mutually beneficial," I said diplomatically, turning to Lexi. "You get exclusive access to stories, and I get... professional consultation."

"Professional consultation?" Lexi snorted. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

I ignored her sarcasm. "The point is, until every loose end from Kane's organization is tied up, you're both at risk. I won't have either of you getting hurt because of my actions."

"How noble of you," Lexi said dryly.

The question hung in the air between us. I could have said money, power, influence. All of it would have been true.

Instead, I found myself looking directly at her. "It's good business to protect valuable assets."

The words came out colder than I intended, and I saw something flicker across Lexi's face. Hurt? Disappointment? I don't care.

Good. Better she thinks of this as purely transactional. It was safer that way.

"Right," she said quietly. "Business."

She headed for the door, but I called after her.

"Lexi."

She turned back.

"The protection detail starts now. Marcus will drive you and Mia home."

She looked like she wanted to argue, then nodded curtly. "Fine."

My phone rang. I glanced at the screen. Marcus' name flashed.

"Cross," I answered.

"Sir, we have a problem. Channel 7 News is running a story about the FBI raids on Kane's properties. They're asking questions about your involvement."

I looked at Lexi, who was watching me with interest.

"And?"

"They have a source claiming you orchestrated the whole thing. Someone who knows details about your phone calls tonight."

My blood went cold. There were only three people who knew what I'd done tonight, me, Marcus, and...

I looked at Lexi again. She was still watching me, but now there was something different in her eyes.

"Sir?" Marcus's voice came through the phone.

"Handle it," I said, never taking my eyes off Lexi. "And Marcus? Find out who talked."

I hung up and pocketed the phone.

"So," Lexi said casually. "How exactly did you destroy Victor Kane tonight?"

And that's when I realized I might have made the biggest mistake of my life.