Chapter Nine
Elena
“Goodbye, miss.”
I walk out of Lucian’s gate with a half-hearted wave at the security man.
Goodbye…
Is this truly the end? Can I truly walk away from the man I love so fiercely?
My chest tightens painfully at the thought. That’s exactly the reason his betrayal feels so utterly painful. My heart is heavy, like a load is pressing down on it and I can’t breathe. Everything I knew about Lucian up until today told me he was a good man who was just jaded—but the evidence is there for all to see. There’s no way he wasn’t involved in Warren’s murder somehow.
I move one foot after the other, feeling like a zombie as my energy slowly wanes. A car stops beside me. “Where to, miss?”
“Pine Street,” I say softly as I slide onto the leather seat.
Distractedly, I close the car door, the image of Lucian’s shuttered expression replaying in my mind. It was fleeting, but for a second he looked like he was hurting, before he slammed his mask back in place. I desperately want to believe that he’s innocent, but I think it’s just my heart grasping at straws.
“You really should watch your surroundings,” a soft, foreboding voice says in the confines of the car.
My heart jolts hard, and before I can respond, I feel a tiny prick in my neck. My head swims, but not before I see the face of the doctor who checked on me at Lucian’s house. Then I slide into oblivion.
**
“Hmm…” I moan softly as I come awake. My head is on fire, like it’s being kicked repeatedly.
I really need a break from these headaches…
I open my eyes, blinking away the blur until I can see clearly enough to look around. I’m in a strange but luxurious office. The space is huge and all glass, except the marbled floor. I try to move, and that’s when I realize I’m tied to a chair at the center of the room.
“Hello?” I call out as loud as my pounding head will allow.
“Good. You’re awake. I was beginning to think I would have to take drastic measures,” a voice says from behind me. It’s firm and soft at the same time, in a way meant to put people at ease.
A tall, imposing figure slowly walks to stand before me. I gasp softly, my heart pounding hard. It’s Senator Walter. The last time I saw him he was standing over Warren back in that alleyway. But he had a more maniacal look in his eyes that night. Now, with the thinning white hair on his head and his sallow skin, he looks older. I guess time isn’t very forgiving.
He sits on the plush chair behind his desk and steeples his hands under his chin. “So, you’re the girl leading my son by his dick. I suppose you’re pretty enough,” he says with a dismissive wave.
His son?
My mind conjures the image of Lucian. I scrutinize the man before me, and it takes a lot for me to maintain composure and not gape in shock. Senator Walter is Lucian’s father! They’re the same height, and have the same piercing blue eyes. Only Senator Walter’s eyes are deceptively kind, while Lucian’s are more captivating and intense. That’s where the resemblance stops.
The man before me lets out a loud, hoarse laugh that turns into an incessant cough. “You didn’t know, did you?” he rasps, still smiling.
I frown. Why do they have different last names?
“You’re wondering why our names are different, right?” the Senator says, as if reading my mind. “Your precious Lucian decided he didn’t want me for a father, and chose his mother’s maiden name. Imagine the embarrassment. I brought that ungrateful bastard into the world, and now he does everything he can to stay away from me,” he spits.
All I can think about is the visceral hatred Lucian has for his father. Which means that I might have misunderstood that photo. Oh, what have I done?
I remember the many times Lucian attempted to explain himself to me. I shut him down at every point. He told me his father is a powerful man, and now I see what he meant.
“Where’s the painting, girl?” the senator asks harshly, letting go of all pretense.
It’s another nail being driven into my coffin. Another unfounded accusation I made against Lucian. He didn’t tell his father anything. I really should have listened to what he had to say.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He slams a hand on the glass desk and I jump in fright. “Don’t mess with me, girl. My son should’ve kept a closer eye on you. I told him if he didn’t kill you, I would. But not before you tell me where you put the painting.”
Tears of frustration well up in my eyes and spill down my cheeks at the realization of what I’ve done. Lucian didn’t hurt or betray me. He showed me all sides of himself, baring it all to me. A man who didn’t allow himself to feel emotion because he believed he didn’t need it changed everything for me—and I broke his trust.
I don’t want to die with him thinking I hurt him. I don’t want him to go back to the shell of himself he once was.
“P-please. Don’t kill me,” I plead, tears running down my cheeks.
The senator pulls out a handgun from his drawer and cocks it. “I won’t have to, if you tell me where you hid the painting,” he says silkily, back to the politician everyone knows.
“Well, Father. You’re truly one of a kind,” Lucian drawls from behind me. “Always so self-important, thinking no one can touch you.”
I’d recognize his voice anywhere. I close my eyes, feeling a strong sense of relief and an overwhelming rush of emotions.
He didn’t give up on me… Not like I did him.
“Lucian, you’re here. Welcome,” Senator Walters says in a flat tone. “The more the merrier. I can’t believe you ignored me for so long only to come for your…toy.”
“You have yourself to thank for that, Father. You destroyed any familial connection we might have had the minute you killed my mother,” Lucian spits out in a hardened tone as he gradually moves to stand beside my chair.
I watch Senator Walter’s eyes widen in surprise. “Oh. That’s the reason for your tantrum. Come on, Lucian. Don’t be a child. Your mother was too soft for this world, and you know that. I did her a favor.”
I gape at the man’s words, finally understanding the rot that he is. He truly is evil.
Lucian scoffs, then chuckles darkly, sending shivers of alarm down my spine. “No, Father. I’m not the little boy you can deceive with your wily words, so save me your speech. I’m going to take you down for what you did to Mom. But right now, I won’t let you take another person I love from me.”
The senator laughs maniacally and points the gun at me. “Let me give you a free lesson, son. You shouldn’t love anyone but yourself.” He pulls the trigger.
I freeze and close my tear-filled eyes, waiting for death.
Instead, I hear a soft grunt and a loud thud as something hits my calves. I open my eyes and a loud scream leaves my lips. “Lucian!”
His body is slumped on the floor, unmoving.
“No, no, no, no. Lucian, please!” I shout in panic.
My heart is pounding hard and at the same time it feels like I can’t breathe. I tug at the restraints holding down my hands, straining my body toward him. Tears blind my vision as I push his body with my legs.
“P-please,” I sob. “Don’t leave me, Lucian, please.” I can’t stop my tears or the words leaving my trembling voice. “I’m sorry… I should have listened to you…I love you. Please, wake up,” I’m sobbing and straining hard against my restraints, even as they bite deeply into my wrists.
“Do something!” I shout, looking up at Senator Walter. He’s staring down at the body of his son, in shock, as if he can’t believe Lucian would really jump in front of a bullet for a girl.
A loud groan fills the room and to my amazement, Lucian gingerly pushes off the floor and straightens before me, kneeling.
“How?” I breathe out softly, my gaze roaming obsessively over him as he swiftly unties the ropes holding my wrists.
“Bulletproof vest,” he says on a soft groan as he massages the blood back to my wrists. “I love you too, my angel. From the very moment I laid eyes on you.” He tugs me into his arms, burying my face in his chest.
“I thought you died,” I say, sobbing hard. “I was so s-scared.”
“I’m fine, love,” he says, then pulls back to wipe my tears with his knuckle.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to cut this short,” the senator declares in a mocking tone, apparently over his surprise.
Lucian stands and tugs me up behind him. “Give it up, Father. Everything you’ve built is crumbling around you and you don’t even know it,” he declares. “The FBI is currently raiding your precious chapel because of the pile of evidence I have against you. What do you think is going to happen to you, a senator? The image you’ve worked so hard to maintain is nothing but a facade to hide the true evil that you are. You’re going to jail, and there’s a witness to a murder standing right behind me. This time, you can’t get yourself out of it.” No ounce of emotion slips into his voice.
“You ungrateful bastard. How dare you betray your father!” Senator Walter shouts, his face turning red. “I have people in high places in my pocket. I’m not going anywhere.” His anger is making him lose control, and he seems ready to deliver a much longer rant, waving the gun in the air, spittle flying from his mouth.
There’s a loud thump against the door, and the senator startles. Lucian takes advantage of his father’s surprise, darting forward to quickly overpower him, stepping back once he’s in possession of his father’s gun.
Then, all hell breaks loose. “FBI! Drop your weapon!”
There’s a loud clattering of feet and instantly the room fills up with officers in FBI uniforms. Lucian easily relinquishes the weapon as two of the officers holster their guns and rush to the Senator, pulling his hands behind him.
“Senator Walter, you’re under arrest for sexual trafficking, fraud, and the murders of Gianna Devereaux and Warren Flint,” the first officer states while the other cuffs him. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney—”
“Get your hands off me,” Senator Walter snaps. “You can’t arrest me. I’ll be out very soon, mark my words,” he roars.
“You’re making a fool of yourself,” Lucian states coldly as his father is being dragged away.
“You’re a failure!” he shouts as they pull him out of the office. “You know why? Because you’re nothing without me. Nothing!”
Lucian turns to me in somber quietness. He takes my chin in his hands and turns my head to check for injuries. “Are you okay, love?” he asks.
I nod. “Yes, I’m fine.” I can’t take my eyes off him. The tears I’ve barely kept at bay come rushing back. “I’m sorry. I know I hurt you. I should’ve trusted you and listened to you. P-please forgive me, Lucian,” I sob.
He drags me into his arms. “I was never angry, my love. Maybe a little hurt. But you were overwhelmed, which is understandable.” He releases me and gently wipes my tears. “I love you with all of me, damaged and all.”
“I love you too. I’ll never stop loving you,” I say, smiling softly at the elation of the moment.
“Will you marry this failure, Elena? I promise to cherish you for the rest of our lives.” His words are soft and tender as he gazes into my eyes.
Tears roll down my cheeks. This man is all mine .
“Yes, Lucian. I’m happy to be yours forever. You’re not a failure—you’re simply mine,” I declare softly.
I don’t know who moves first, but our lips meet. I slide my arms up his neck as he kisses me slowly, and the tension in my body thrums to life. I moan, opening my mouth enough for his tongue to sweep in. Blood rushes to my veins and my nipples tighten in pleasure. I clutch his neck tighter as he strokes his tongue over mine, rendering me breathless.
He slowly lets go with a final kiss and rests his forehead on mine. “We should leave now while I still have some semblance of control,” he rasps.
“Okay,” I whisper, stealing another kiss before pulling back.
The officers want Lucian to make a statement, but he quickly arranges a time to meet with them tomorrow and pulls me gently from the room. As we walk out of the office hand in hand, I glance at him. “How did you know where to find me?” I ask.
He flashes me a quick smile. “I wasn’t going to let you go. So I told my security guard to follow you, only for me to get a call that you entered a strange car. You took away ten years of my life when I heard that. I’m never letting you out of my sight again,” he declares, his hand tightening on mine.
“Well, I’ve learned my lesson, and I’m never leaving you either,” I reply, smiling softly at him.
“Good.”
He lifts our joined hands and drops a lingering kiss on mine, his eyes fixed on my face. Those sparkling blue eyes, eyes that I once thought were so cold, now hold the promise of forever.