Change Of Plans

Lucien's Pov

I stare at my hand as the glass finishes it's work, one clean slice across my palm. A bead of blood swells, grows heavy, then drops, staining the carpet.

A mess. I hate messes.

I look at the two women in front of me. Two identical shades of blood-red silk. It took weeks to find that fabric. The exact shade. Because it reminded me of that night, nine years ago when I had taken her to that dance. Now, seeing it on Leyla, feels like someone had taken that memory and smeared it with ink.

She’s smirking, as if she’d actually accomplished something. It's just an annoying, petty little play. She really thought a grainy tabloid photo and a matching outfit gave her power over me. She has no idea how many scandals twice this size I’ve before my morning coffee cooled.

"A surprise?" I purr, enjoying the slight flinch in her shoulders. "You think this is a game, Leyla?"

Glass crunches under my shoes as I step forward. I pass her without a glance and stop in front of Alora.

She’s pale as a ghost. Eyes wide and shaking. I reach for her arm, My thumb, still bleeding, leaves a dark smear against her silk sleeve.

“You want to play games?” I say, looking between the twins. “Fine. But the rules just changed.”

I pull out my phone, my mind already moving, discardng the anger and replacing it with a cold, sharp strategy. I need a distraction right now. I need a face the press can trust, someone who can turn infidelity into a "private family moment."

I scroll to a name I haven't touched in years and dial.

"Heyy. Been a while. How's Europe?"

A pause. I can hear the gears turning on the other end.

"Thank God!" I breathe a sigh of relief. "Listen man, I need a favour. Huge one. I'm hosting a Gala tonight and I need you there."

Another beat.

"Thanks man."

I hang up and turn to my men at the door. "Get her to the penthouse," I say, pointing at Leyla. "She stays under guard. If she so much as looks at a camera before tonight, George’s papers go into a shredder. Don't make me the bad guy here, Leyla. I’m the only one keeping him out of a cage."

Leyla narrows her eyes like a calculating viper, and steps closer. "You said I was easier to handle, Lucien. You like the way I don't fight back."

"I said you were compliant," I correct, already turning away. "Now you’re a liability. You’re going to sit in house and do as you're told until I figure out how to fix the mess you created."

I look at Alora, as I tighten my grip on her arm and I see that Seventeen year old girl who gave me her all.

"I'm sorry for the mess," I say quietly. "Let's get you fed, rested and changed. Tonight still needs to be perfect."