جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 30

MayaWalking into Lorenzo Black’s office feels different at night.The building is quieter, stripped of its daytime polish, the hum of activity replaced by a heavy stillness that makes every footstep echo louder than it should. The top-floor hallway is dimly lit, the glass walls reflecting my unease at me as I approach his door.I hesitate for half a second before knocking.“Come in,” his voice carries through the door. I remain outside for a moment longer, glancing over my shoulder as if searching for a sign. When nothing comes, I step inside.He’s already there, seated behind his desk, his posture composed, his hands clasped together like he’s been waiting for me far longer than the few minutes it took me to get upstairs. He looks up when I enter, his gaze steady as it settles on my face. I take a deep breath, stopping a few feet from the desk. My shoulders are stiff, and my guard is firmly in place.I’m not sure why I’m here, but I’ll be damned if I let him ruin my night. I’ve a

To be Maya Serrano again. The offer lands like a sudden intake of air after being underwater too long.For a brief, dangerous moment, I can almost feel it. The sharp clarity. The version of myself that did not flinch, did not hide, and did not constantly look over her shoulder. The woman who trusted her instincts and moved through the world with certainty.It is tempting. More than I want to admit.But temptation has always been Lucien’s sharpest weapon.I straighten, forcing the haze from my thoughts. Nothing ever comes free from him. Not power, truth, or desire. I’m still paying for one night of recklessness and sin. If I accept this, the cost will be steep, and he’ll collect it whenever it suits him.And even if I were foolish enough to consider it, there is something else. The message I got days ago. Someone else knows about that night, about the truth I have been trying to outrun.I study Lucien’s face carefully, searching for any sign, but there is nothing there that suggests h

Maya stands near the edge of the room, partially obscured by a column, her posture stiff. Her eyes…are fixed on me. Her face reveals nothing as we stare at each other, but her mouth twitches faintly, exposing the strain in her eyes for a second. Then she tilts her chin, clasping her hands firmly in front of her. I know it immediately. She saw the kiss—she saw Giuliana lean in and press her lips to mine. What else did she see? My chest tightens uneasily as I stand, not taking my eyes off her for a second. I wait. For her to do something. But she remains in place, unblinking. My fingers flatten against my leg, itching to touch her. My throat works uselessly, helpless against the strained, rough exhales that slip past my lips. My gaze drops at the slight movement of her hand to her chest, picking off a lint. I grit my teeth slowly as heat wounds quickly through me, spreading to places that have no business feeling anything in public. It does, because it’s her. The warm red on

Two minutes. A hundred and twenty seconds. That’s how long it takes for me to regret my decision—heading out of the main party area with Lucien’s brother. Antonio leads me to the dimmest corner of the property. I hesitate when I see how far he wants us to go, but he mistakes it for tiredness…exhaustion and offers help. “Do you want me to take the weight off your legs?” He glances down at my shoes, like it’s a gentlemanly offer, until his head rises again and I can see the excitement lurking in his eyes. Fuck. “No,” I shake my head, as politely as possible, with a smile that doesn’t feel anywhere close to genuine or grateful. “I can manage.”“Don’t knock it until you try it,” he presses with a grin, bending his forearm to flex his bicep. “I keep fit, you know. Not like my brother. He sits behind the desk all day, acting like he’s all that—” his tone turns to snide as he shoots a look over his shoulder, “—as if it takes a genius to run a company.”Well…I hate Lucien. I do. But

MayaI hate myself for falling asleep. My head is throbbing by the time I wake up. I wasn't supposed to fall asleep. I should have found my way home the second I wake up.As I try to sit up, I notice that Lucien's hand is sprawled against my stomach, keeping me in place. Running away is my specialty though.I gently push his hand away as I slip out of the bed, picking up my lace panties, my bra, and my dress. I take a look at myself in the mirror, taking in the blush that covers my cheeks. My pussy is still pulsing, just as he said it would. My hair is wild, and I quickly brush it with my fingers, fixing as much as I can.Shame covers me as I am finally dressed, watching the rise and fall of Lucien's chest, scared that he is going to wake up any second. A part of me wants to lean down and kiss his plump lips that are slightly parted. Or run my hands through his lashes that are casting a shadow on his face. Or lean down to kiss his scar. I play a part in him getting that scar. I feel a