Chapter 35
Behind Closed Doors
The heavy oak front door of the mansion swings open at precisely half past six in the evening.
Lucius and Teajun step across the threshold, their footsteps echoing against the marble floor.
The living room is suffocating quiet. The only sound is the sharp, agonising rustle of fabric as the rest of the household pack their bags to leave.
Near the velvet couch, Olivia stands frozen, her fingers trembling slightly as she clutches a small earring box against her chest.
Lucius sweeps his cold glance across the room. He does not need an explanation; the heavy air tells him everything he needs to know about what has transpired during his absence.
"I know everything," Lucius says. His voice is flat, devoid of inflection, yet it carries a weight heavy enough to make every single person drop what they are doing and look up.
"Go to your own safest penthouses for now. It is better this way. The enemy operates under the assumption that we all shelter under one roof. We don't. We are going to separate. Pack your things immediately. I need to talk to Tessa first."
He does not wait for a reply, nor does he care for one. He reaches down, wrapping his large hand securely around Tessa’s wrist, and guides her toward the top floor. He leads her away from the frantic noise, away from the stifling atmosphere of the packing below.
The very second they cross the threshold of the private upper landing, entirely out of sight, his rigid composure shatters.
Lucius pulls her into his arms with a sudden, violent desperation.
He crushes her against his chest so fiercely that the air leaves her lungs, holding her as if his own life hangs by a single, fraying thread.
On the phone, he maintains a mask of absolute, calculated calm.
But inside his chest, the mere thought of almost losing her drives him to the brink of madness.
If they touch her, I will burn the entire city to ash, he thinks, his chest heaving as he holds her closer.
Tessa gasps against his shoulder. Her cheek is pressed hard against his suit jacket, feeling the terrifying, wild hammering of his heart against her ribs.
She has never felt him shake like this before.
Before a single word can form on her lips, his hand shoots up to grip her jaw.
He tilts her face up, forcing her eyes to meet his burning gaze, and slams his lips onto hers.
The kiss is rough, deep, and entirely unhinged by desperation.
When he finally breaks the kiss for air, Lucius looks completely undone. The cold, untouchable lawyer is gone, replaced by a man hanging on by a thread. He keeps his palms cupped tightly against Tessa’s flushed cheeks, his thumb tracing her skin with a possessive tremble.
"You are staying with me," he murmurs, his voice raw and breathless. "I cannot let you out of my sight again. I will not leave you alone anywhere. If you say yes right now—please, just say yes—I will take you away from here this very second."
Tessa looks deep into his dark eyes, feeling the sheer terror and intensity of his love. He is losing his mind because of me, she realises, her heart aching for him. She understands exactly what he is asking, and the answer is already burning in her throat.
"Yes," she whispers.
Lucius closes his eyes for a fraction of a second, relief washing over his hard features.
He grabs her hand tightly and leads her back down the stairs.
In the foyer, Victor and the others stand waiting, their expressions grim but understanding.
No one questions the sudden departure. Without a word, Victor steps forward and hands Tessa a sleek helmet.
"I already have all the files delivered to the new penthouse, Lucius," Victor says quietly.
Lucius does not waste a single heartbeat.
Keeping Tessa tucked firmly against his side, he descends into the shadowy depths of the underground parking lot.
He rolls his heavy motorcycle into position, the sleek metal gleaming under the fluorescent lights.
Tessa mounts the seat behind him, wrapping her arms securely around his waist.
The engine roars to life with a ferocious, deafening growl that vibrates through the concrete walls.
This time, Lucius does not steer the bike toward the familiar gates of the family mansion.
Instead, he tears out into the night, weaving violently through the narrow, twisting alleyways of Brooklyn.
The city blurs into streaks of neon and shadow as the thunderous exhaust drowns out the rest of the world.
Tessa clings to him tightly, her mind spinning in confusion as the surroundings grow unfamiliar. Where is he taking me? Is anywhere truly safe anymore?
"Where are we going?" she calls out over the wind.
"Just watch," Lucius replies, his voice carried away by the rush of air. "It’s a new place. A safe place. Just for you."
Finally, the bike drifts into a secluded, quiet alleyway hidden away from the main thoroughfares. The engine dies, leaving a heavy, ringing silence in its wake.
"Get down, Tessa," Lucius says, swinging his leg off the bike.
Tessa removes her helmet, looking around the dark, brick-lined street. "Is this the place?"
"Yes. Let’s go inside." Lucius slides his hand firmly around her waist, pulling her flush against his hip as they approach a heavy, reinforced steel door.
As they near, a security camera hums to life, a red laser sweeping across his face. The electronic lock clicks open with a heavy thud and a massive bodyguard steps aside, bowing his head deeply.
"Welcome, Boss," the man mutters.
Tessa steps into the foyer, her eyes widening as she takes in her surroundings. Every five paces, two or three heavily armed bodyguards stand like statues against the walls, their hands resting near their holsters. The air is thick with lethal preparation.
Frightened by the intense atmosphere, Tessa reaches out and yanks firmly on the cuff of Lucius’s sleeve. He pauses, turning his head to look down at her, their eyes locking in the dim light.
"Why is there so much security here?" Tessa whispers, her voice trembling slightly. "There’s even more than at the mansion."
Lucius leans down, his eyes dark and unwavering.
"The mansion was built with the law's money, Tessa. It belongs to the public face of Lucius. This place? This is only for my private world. Nobody knows about this."
He walks her toward a set of double doors.
"I already have your maid brought here just to prepare your meals. And your wardrobe is fully stocked in our bedroom."
He pushes the main doors open, revealing a sweeping, ultra-modern layout. "This is the main penthouse."
Tessa steps inside, her boots clicking softly on the dark hardwood floors. She looks around the vast, luxurious space, taking in the clean lines and heavy drapery. "It’s beautiful... but it feels different."
"Different how?" Lucius asks, watching her closely.
"It’s massive, but the windows don't let in much natural light," she notes, looking at the heavily tinted, bulletproof glass. "But the inside... all these little plants everywhere. Oh, I love it."
A faint, rare smile touches the corner of Lucius's mouth. She is looking for light even in my darkness, he thinks, his heart swelling. He steps into her space, his presence enveloping her. "I know, darling. Now, go take a shower. It is getting very late."
"Where is the bathroom?" Tessa asks, looking around the maze of hallways. "And where is our bedroom?"
Lucius slides his hand back down to her waist, his touch firm and possessive as he guides her toward a darkened corridor. "Go down this way. You can explore the rest of the rooms tomorrow. Go." He leans down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the side of her head.
The moment Tessa disappears down the hall, Lucius raises his wrist. The face of his watch glows in the dim light. It is already 7:30 PM.
Five minutes later, Lucius walks down the master hallway toward the primary bathroom. The door is cracked open, a soft warmth spilling into the corridor. He peers inside and finds Tessa sinking into the deep, marble bathtub, her shoulders relaxing under the steam of the warm water.
Lucius walks in silently and sits on the marble edge of the tub, looking down at her. "Are you enjoying it?"
Tessa gasps against his shoulder. Her cheek is pressed hard against his suit jacket, feeling the terrifying, wild hammering of his heart against her ribs.
She has never felt him shake like this before.
Before a single word can form on her lips, his hand shoots up to grip her jaw.
He tilts her face up, forcing her eyes to meet his burning gaze, and slams his lips onto hers.
The kiss is rough, deep, and entirely unhinged by desperation.
When he finally breaks the kiss for air, Lucius looks completely undone. The cold, untouchable lawyer is gone, replaced by a man hanging on by a thread. He keeps his palms cupped tightly against Tessa’s flushed cheeks, his thumb tracing her skin with a possessive tremble.
"You are staying with me," he murmurs, his voice raw and breathless. "I cannot let you out of my sight again. I will not leave you alone anywhere. If you say yes right now—please, just say yes—I will take you away from here this very second."
Tessa looks deep into his dark eyes, feeling the sheer terror and intensity of his love. He is losing his mind because of me, she realises, her heart aching for him. She understands exactly what he is asking, and the answer is already burning in her throat.
"Yes," she whispers.
Lucius closes his eyes for a fraction of a second, relief washing over his hard features.
He grabs her hand tightly and leads her back down the stairs.
In the foyer, Victor and the others stand waiting, their expressions grim but understanding.
No one questions the sudden departure. Without a word, Victor steps forward and hands Tessa a sleek helmet.
"I already have all the files delivered to the new penthouse, Lucius," Victor says quietly.
Lucius does not waste a single heartbeat.
Keeping Tessa tucked firmly against his side, he descends into the shadowy depths of the underground parking lot.
He rolls his heavy motorcycle into position, the sleek metal gleaming under the fluorescent lights.