Chapter 4

Ahtisa’s Pov

"Get out.”

Adrian blinked, clearly not expecting it. "What did you just say to me?”

I pushed his files in his hands.

"I said get out,” I repeated, calmly. "This is my case. I will handle it.”

I turned to leave but then his voice rose. "Ahtisa, don't be difficult”

I stopped. "And don't interfere”

His mouth dropped open and before he could give a response, I was already inside the room, shutting him out.

I closed my eyes, calming my breath. When I opened my eyes again, Lucien was looking at me with amusement.

I sat down and the door bursted open. I stilled. Adrian stalked in, his face blazing with anger.

“You're overstepping," he said.

I clenched my fists.

"Am I?” I said, lifting my head. “Or are you used to me not having boundaries"

His jaw flexed. For a moment, he said nothing. Then, his expression hardened.

“You're making this more complicated than it needs to be," he muttered. “You have the evidence. Do your job.

"That is what I am doing!”

"You… you are acting strange,” he said after a while.

"Then, maybe you should get used to it.”

I motioned for the assistant to get him away from the room. I tied my hair at the back and sat down again.

“Well," Lucien said, leaning forward. “That was interesting"

I didn't say anything immediately. I tried to gather myself but then decided to lock the door this time.

"Locking the door?” Lucien asked. "Should I be worried?”

I moved back to my seat. A smile on my lips. "I won't arrest you.”

"Maybe you should”

“I don't follow instructions well anymore"

“An unfortunate trait for a police officer, don't you think?"

I shrugged. “Or a necessary one?"

“Fine," he murmured. “Cut the pretense"

“What do you mean?"

“You want something," he stated.

“Yes," I said.

“And whatever it is… " he continued, gaze darkening. “... It involves him."

"Aren't you too smart?” I said, lightening the tension with a laugh but he didn't.

I cleared my throat.

“So tell me exactly,” he said. "What are you planning?”

I leaned forward on the table. "I need your help”

He nodded.

"I want you to help me expose my husband,” I said, steadying my voice.

He looked at me then he laughed. His eyes roamed my face. I squeezed my hands.

“I'm serious!"

He blinked.

“I'm sorry," he said, shaking his head. “I must have misheard you"

“You didn't"

“You want me," he repeated slowly, “to help you expose your husband."

"Correct”

“This seems to me like a trap. You trust his word over evidence," he said, factly. “This doesn't sound like you."

He raked his hands through his hair. “And now you want to work with me?"

I held his eyes. “I'm not that woman anymore"

"No?” He murmured. "Because from where I'm sitting you look exactly the same.”

I exhaled softly. “Don't judge by looks alone"

"Convenient answer”

"True answer”

He watched me carefully.

"Why?” He asked. "Why would you want to expose him?”

"I don't just want to expose him…" I said, crossing my legs. “I want to dismantle everything he has built… his power, his reputation, his control… until there is nothing left for him to stand on.”

I continued. "And he understands exactly what it feels like to lose everything he once took from me.”

"All of this sounds very…" he paused, searching for the word to use. “... Convenient"

"It is”

"And you expect me to believe you?”

"No.”

The word came out of my mouth quickly. I rested my hands on my chin.

"You shouldn't trust me,” I said. "I don't expect you to”

"Then why should I agree?”

I shrugged. "Because you need me”

Lucien's lips curved faintly. "Do I?”

"Yes.” I said. "You are being framed and the evidence against you isn't clean. I can help you.”

“Well, I don't think I need you," he said. "I could hire someone else.”

“Believe me or don't," I said. “But if you walk out of this without my help, you won't get another chance to clear your name."

"So, you are serious?”

I nodded.

He laughed

“You are either telling the truth," he said slowly. “Or this is the most elaborate trap I've ever seen"

My lips curved up. “Which do you think it is?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.

“The woman I know," he murmured. “Would never betray her husband."

My gaze didn't waver. “As I said, that woman is gone."

"People don't change that quickly”

"Not when they have a reason"

I wouldn't be the weak girl I once was in my past life. Lucien still didn't look convinced. I suddenly stood up from my chair.

Lucien's gaze followed my every movement and I stopped in front of him.

He raised an eyebrow.

I was close… close enough that he could see every detail in my expression.

No hesitation as I locked my lips with his. My heart was beating fast but I pushed further.

Lucien went completely still.

And for a moment, I forgot every pain in my heart.

All I focused on was Lucien. At first, he didn't move, then he thrust in deeper.

I pulled away to look at him. Lucien licked his bottom lip.

Blood rushed to my cheeks.

“Now, do you think I would do that if I was still loyal to him?"

His eyes roamed my body and I suddenly felt naked under his gaze.

"Well,” he muttered. "This certainly complicates things”

I straightened. Lucien held my gaze for a moment longer.

"Alright, Officer Vale," he said. “Let’s make your husband regret ever hurting you”